Hemoptysis, which is defined as coughing up blood, is a potentially life threatening condition. It usually is caused by an acute respiratory infection or by a foreign object in the airway, but it can also be caused by a number of different medical conditions. A doctor will determine the cause of your hemoptysis symptoms, and the best way to treat the condition.
One of the most common causes of hemoptysis in adults is lung cancer. There is some evidence that people who smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day, or who began smoking during adolescence, are at higher risk for developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is the cause of most cases of hemoptysis in smokers.
The main treatment for hematemesis is esophagogastroduodenoscopy and injection sclerotherapy. However, some cases are not treated at all, and are a symptom of another condition. For example, one case of hemoptysis in a 12-year-old boy was caused by a bronchial artery-pulmonary artery fistula. This life-threatening condition occurs when a blood clot from the lungs blocks the main airway.
Patients who experience hemoptysis should be stabilized and undergo testing, including a chest radiograph. If the clot is in the pulmonary artery, it may need to be removed by a procedure called bronchoscopy. Other tests that can help doctors diagnose hemoptysis include a sputum culture and a urine analysis. They may also use a pulse oximetry probe to test for blood oxygen saturation. These tests can be helpful, but should not be used as a substitute for a thorough examination.
Hemoptysis symptoms can vary from mild to severe. In some cases, the clot blocking the airway may be so large that it requires a tube to be inserted through the nose or windpipe. During this process, a doctor will ask about your medical history and perform other tests to make sure that you haven’t developed any other conditions that can cause blood to clot.
Patients with hemoptysis may be admitted to the hospital. If the cause is not clear, they may undergo a complete blood count (CBC). They will calculate the amount of red blood cells and white blood cells in your blood. Your CBC will be used to determine if you have any underlying blood clotting disorders. Some blood clotting disorders can be prevented by taking anticoagulants or using an inhaled drug such as tranexamic acid.
Other causes of hemoptysis are mallory-weiss tear, gastritis, and liver failure. A pulmonary embolism is also a possible cause. You should always be checked for a clot if you are having frequent nosebleeds. Also, if you have been taking anticoagulants, you should have a sputum culture done to identify any microbial pathology.
Hemoptysis can be caused by many different medical conditions, but the cause must be identified in order to prevent it from causing further problems. Usually, the underlying disorder will be fixed before the hemoptysis can be completely reversed.
