Hemoptysis | |
---|---|
Other names | Haemoptysis, coughing up of blood |
Lower left: Inflammation of the bronchus can bring about bloody mucus. | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Symptoms | Spitting blood or bloody sputum |
Complications | Pulmonary aspiration, choking |
Causes | bronchitis, lung cancer, certain infections |
Differential diagnosis | epistaxis (combined with post-nasal drip) |
Hemoptysis or haemoptysis is the discharge of blood or blood-stained mucus through the mouth coming from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs. It does not necessarily involve coughing. In other words, it is the airway bleeding. This can occur with lung cancer, infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and certain cardiovascular conditions. Hemoptysis is considered massive at 300 mL (11 imp fl oz; 10 US fl oz). In such cases, there are always severe injuries. The primary danger comes from choking, rather than blood loss.[1]