{"id":8226,"date":"2019-07-31T08:44:34","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T08:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8226"},"modified":"2021-06-16T19:11:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T19:11:34","slug":"14-reasons-for-coughing-up-blood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-reasons-for-coughing-up-blood\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Reasons for Coughing Up Blood"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Coughing up blood can be one of the most worrying medical symptoms that you can experience, and it can be the source of a lot of panics \u2013 especially if it\u2019s something that\u2019s happened to you more than once. There are plenty of medical conditions and causes that can cause you to cough up blood, some are far more serious ones (such as a symptom of certain cancers) and others easier to treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the kind of symptom that you should ignore. Make an appointment with your doctor if you\u2019ve had one or several instances of coughing up blood, or phlegm that isn\u2019t completely clear or has any kind of smell. Establishing the cause of coughing up blood as a symptom can be done in the matter of just a few tests, and it could save your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 possible reasons why you could be coughing up blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tuberculosis Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tuberculosis <\/a>is a health condition which affects several thousand people across the world every year, and although it\u2019s not prevalent in all parts of the world, you could be at risk of contracting it if you have a lowered immune system and have recently come into direct contact with anyone who has it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the first signs of a tuberculosis infection will include persistent coughing, which eventually turns to coughing blood as the condition progresses. By this point, a tuberculosis infection is highly contagious and will need a completed course of TB medication to clear up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuberculosis can also spread to any other parts of the body that don\u2019t include the lungs, and in severe cases, tuberculosis of the spine, kidneys or other organs can happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience any persistent flu-like symptoms or a cough that doesn\u2019t go away, see your doctor for tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Internal Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coughing up blood <\/a>usually means that something between the lungs and throat is actively bleeding, which can sometimes be traced down to either burst blood vessels or injured tissue. Both of these are very likely if you\u2019ve experienced a recent physical injury directly to the lungs or ribcage, and you might experience some other associated symptoms such as swelling, extremely dark bruising and a lot of pain over the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re coughing up blood after any kind of injury, it can mean that the injury is internal and far worse than initially suspected. This is a symptom that will always warrant an appointment with your doctor, especially if symptoms like pain and coughing blood persists for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few simple scans (usually in the form of x-rays) will help you to establish the extent of your injuries, and your doctor can recommend the proper treatment \u2013 including as much rest as possible \u2013 from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Throat Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A direct injury to the lungs isn\u2019t the only type of direct physical injury that can cause you to vomit <\/a>or cough blood, and sometimes it can also happen due to a throat injury; in this case, it might appear that the blood is coming out of the lungs, but only because of the fact that it gets projected out of the mouth with the coughing motion \u2013 and this is also common after experiencing any kind of physical injury like an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bleeding of the throat can also happen if you\u2019ve accidentally swallowed something sharp, especially if your throat already happens to be swollen because of an existing infection or condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve injured your throat and this is why you\u2019re seeing blood, the good thing is that this is usually easy to treat \u2013 and not nearly as potentially dangerous as some of the other causes of coughing up blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Ribcage Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An injury <\/a>that\u2019s sustained to the ribcage can indirectly cause injury to the lungs, and this can easily be the cause behind someone who is coughing up blood. Usually, when this is the case, there will be a very obvious cause of injury attached to it \u2013 and you\u2019ll usually be in so much pain that you\u2019ll certainly know you\u2019ve hurt your ribs in the first place. See a doctor if you suspect any kind of ribcage bruising or injury in order to establish the full extent of how bad your injuries are under the skin \u2013 especially when you\u2019ve started coughing up blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ribcage injuries can come with a range of complications including difficulty breathing or swallowing, and internal bleeding. Never put off a doctor\u2019s appointment when something as serious as this is suspected, especially due to the fact that it might have serious consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this doesn\u2019t explain your symptoms, seeing your doctor is always your best bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Collapsed Lungs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Collapsed lungs <\/a>can sometimes be the cause behind coughing blood, and sometimes collapsed lungs can lead to only slight difficulty breathing that progresses to worse over time. This is a common symptom if you\u2019ve sustained any physical injury to your lungs or ribs, but might also sometimes happen spontaneously with certain medical conditions \u2013 if you experience coughing blood together with trouble breathing (or a watery-sounding wheeze when you breathe), get yourself to an emergency room as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A collapsed lung (which might be one or either lung) is a very dangerous symptom, and it\u2019s not the kind of thing that you should even remotely try to treat at home. Just a few simple tests can help to establish if you have a collapsed lung, and from there the correct course of treatment can be recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to mention any other symptoms that you might experience together with coughing blood and trouble breathing: Being thorough about your symptoms can be a great help when it comes to the right diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Valve Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Valve issues commonly affect a large part of the population, and for several reasons; it\u2019s considered more common in certain medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, in certain connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos<\/a> or Marfan Syndrome, and it can also often be spotted in the elderly and people who are overweight. If you suspect that you might have any valve issues, coughing up blood is one of the more severe symptoms that you could experience \u2013 and it\u2019s recommended that you seek medical attention immediately to avoid any further risks with your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing any valve issues will also mean that you likely experience other symptoms together with this, which can include acid reflux and severe heartburn, and can also lead to more severe symptoms such as bleeding of the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See your doctor if you experience any kind of medical symptom for an extended period of time and to ensure that you\u2019re following the right course of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Severe Lung Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes a severe lung infection can also lead to instances of coughing blood, although it\u2019s likely that you will notice other symptoms of the pending lung infection long before you get to the point where you are coughing blood. Lung infections can easily start off with just a bad cough and start to progress to worse from there; there might also be other associated symptoms such as coughing up phlegm with a bad taste, as well as symptoms <\/a>that mirror the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect that you might have a lung infection, the first thing that you should do is make an appointment with your doctor in order to get the proper tests done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to mention a thorough list of symptoms to your doctor during your consultation: This can be a huge help to your doctor when it comes to diagnosing the right medical condition, and it can save you a lot of time. 
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8. Stomach Ulcer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re coughing blood, it could be possible that the origin of the blood isn\u2019t your lungs at all, but simply blood that\u2019s being projected outwards through the coughing motion. Stomach ulcers are one of the potential causes that could be behind coughing up blood, and you\u2019re likely to experience a range of other symptoms that include stomach pain, and might include blood in the stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you suspect that you might have a stomach ulcer, your first step should be to adapt your diet \u2013 cut out any grains, dairy, meat products and spices that could aggravate the condition. Your second step should be to see your doctor if symptoms persist; stomach ulcers can quickly turn into much bigger problems for your health, including perforations in the colon or lining of the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stomach ulcers benefit from stress-reduction (both physical and emotional), and large changes to diet with things that aren\u2019t going to upset your stomach<\/a>. See a dietary specialist if stomach ulcers become a recurring symptom instead \u2013 it might be indicating another medical condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Bronchitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bronchitis <\/a>describes the inflammatory condition affecting the airways in the lungs. The bronchioles are small tubes leading to the alveoli in the lungs. When a person experiences the onset of bronchitis,\u00a0it’s typically due to inflammation of bronchiole, due to a bacterial infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of bronchitis will resolve on their own within three to four days. However, in some cases, the condition may persist for weeks, and turn into a form of chronic bronchitis. People who smoke cigarettes are most likely to develop chronic bronchitis, as they do not allow the lungs time to heal from the condition. Patient to reach the chronic stage of bronchitis experience a deep, hoarse cough throughout the day. This cough may damage the airways and the throat, causing tissues to turn raw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may start to cough up blood, and the blood appears in the sputum as a bright red colored mass. It’s vital that you take the time to recover from a case of bronchitis and avoid it from turning into a chronic form of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Pneumonia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who develop chronic bronchitis are at a higher risk of the infection turning into pneumonia. Pneumonia <\/a>describes a chronic inflammation and infection of the airways in the lungs, due to the presence of the bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumonia typically affects one lung at a time, and the patient requires immediate medical attention, to ensure that the condition does not spread to both lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients the do experience the onset of pneumonia in both lungs are in a life-threatening position. The bacteria may cause the collapse of the lungs, leading to the failure of the respiratory system, and the death of the patient. It’s common for pneumonia to develop from the onset of chronic bronchitis, where the patient does not give the lungs enough to heal from the effects of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat patients with pneumonia using antibiotics to clear the bacteria from the lungs. During the recovery, the patient will have to spend a few days in the hospital to allow the medical team to evaluate their current condition. Most cases of pneumonia are not fatal; however, should seniors develop the disease, then they may be in a life-threatening position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. COPD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as COPD, describes a chronic condition affecting the lungs. Patients who are dealing with the case of COPD are typically smokers. These lifetime smokers are usually over the age of 60-years old and continue to smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COPD occurs due to an expansion in the lungs, as well as the bronchioles and alveoli responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide<\/a> in the lungs. Patients with COPD may develop a harsh cough that wakes them up at night.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the condition progresses, the patient may start to cough up blood along with phlegm. This symptom is a sign of the advanced age of the disease, and may also mark the change of COPD into lung cancer. Patients with COPD must immediately refrain from smoking cigarettes to ensure the day does not damage the lungs any further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are having trouble with smoking cessation, speak to your doctor. Your physician will make recommendations on medications and support groups to help you quit the habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Illicit Drug Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0People that use illicit drugs, such as crack cocaine <\/a>and methamphetamine,\u00a0typically smoke the substances through a glass pipe. The pipe produces very high temperatures in which the addict inhales into the lungs, along with the smoke of the addictive substance.\u00a0
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As a result, the heat damages the gums and teeth in the mouth, as well as the throat and the airways leading towards the lungs. With persistent use, the addict will create a significant amount of damage and inflammation in the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the addict may start to cough up blood after a few years of abuse. Unfortunately, addicts are addicted to their substance of choice. They find it incredibly challenging to quit, even though they know they are doing themselves irreparable harm. Should they persist with their habit, then the addiction overcomes their lives, and they are willing to die for the next hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These individuals require treatment with medications and rehabilitation programs to cure both the physical and mental of the effects of addiction. Without help, it is almost certain that these individuals will eventually overdose and die from their habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients using blood thinners for specific medical conditions, require the use of the drugs to prevent the formation of clots in the veins and arteries throughout the body. Without the use of these medications, the patients may experience a stroke or heart attack due to a clot forming in the heart valves<\/a>, or primary arteries. However, the use of blood-thinning medications also makes it hard for the individual to stop bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should a patient using blood thinners swallow something sharp, such as a piece of bone in their food, it may result in scarring of the throat which produces bleeding. As a result of the blood-thinning medication, the patient may have a hard time getting the cut to clot and stop the bleeding. As a result, they may find that they start to cough up blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are using these medications, then speak to your doctor about advice on how to administer them safely. If you do experience the scenario mentioned above, seek medical advice immediately to stop the bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Lung Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lung cancer<\/a> is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Patients with lung cancer are often lifetime smokers that experience the onset of COPD, leading to the formation of lung cancer. Lung cancer can affect one part, or many parts of the lungs, depending on the extent of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation caused by the disease will result in an expansion of the bronchioles and alveoli. As a result of the situation, the patient may start a cough up blood. Patients with lung cancer require aggressive chemotherapy treatment and radiation therapy to help kill off the cancer cells in the lungs. However, this is typically a chronic condition, and more than 99-percent of all patients will eventually die as a result of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have trouble quitting smoking cigarettes, it’s advisable to visit your doctor for diagnosis, especially if you start to develop a persistent cough. Your physician will give you advice and medications on how to quit the habit as well as the information of local support groups to help you stop smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n

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