Coughing up blood

DEFINITION

Coughing up blood can be caused by a variety of lung conditions. Coughing up blood can take different forms: The blood may be bright red or pink and frothy, or it may be mixed with mucus.

Also known as hemoptysis (he-MOP-tih-sis), coughing up blood, even in small amounts, can be alarming. However, producing a little blood-tinged sputum isn’t uncommon and usually isn’t serious.

Call 911 or seek emergency care if you’re coughing up blood in large quantities or coughing up blood frequently.

CAUSES

Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from some part of the lungs (respiratory tract). Blood coming from elsewhere, such as your stomach, can appear to be from the lungs. It’s important for your doctor to determine the site of the bleeding, and then determine why you’re coughing up blood.

The major cause of coughing up blood is chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. Other possible causes of coughing up blood include:

COPD

Cystic fibrosis

Drug use, such as crack cocaine

Foreign body

Wegener’s granulomatosis

Lung abscess

Lung cancer

Emphysema

Mitral valve stenosis

Parasitic infection

Pneumonia

Pulmonary embolism

Trauma to the chest

Tuberculosis

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Call your doctor if you’re coughing up blood. He or she can determine whether the cause is minor or potentially more serious. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you’re coughing up a lot of blood or if the bleeding won’t stop.