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What Causes Coughing Up Of Blood?
Question: happened 2 months ago. coughing up blood. had chest x ray all ok. see n specialist in hospital. said she recons of infection. however went out drinking Friday night. (b inge drinking vodka) smoking lots and inhaling poppers. started coughing up blood last night. still getting blood today howver it is dark red to brown. so worried its cancer as its happened b4. please give some advice
Brief Answer:
You require CT scan chest and bronchoscopy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Since you have written coughing blood, I shall not consider vomiting of blood (commonly seen in those who do binge drinking).
Coughing of blood involves a source of bleeding in the respiratory system. Any patient with history of coughing blood on more than a single occasion must be evaluated in detail.
The source of bleeding has to be investigated. This requires a CT scan chest and by bronchoscopy preferably using flexible fiber optic bronchoscope.
A normal Chest x ray is not sufficient to conclude that your chest is normal. The bleeding can be due to infection, inflammation and rarely due to cancerous development.
Please stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Cancer is more common in the elderly and causes loss of weight, dense shadows on x ray. Lumps can also be seen in other areas in the body.
If you have fever then the likelihoods of an infection is more.
Rarely, there can be a small tear in esophagus after binge drinking and vomiting and this can cause bleeding. This needs endoscopy of esophagus
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
You require CT scan chest and bronchoscopy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Since you have written coughing blood, I shall not consider vomiting of blood (commonly seen in those who do binge drinking).
Coughing of blood involves a source of bleeding in the respiratory system. Any patient with history of coughing blood on more than a single occasion must be evaluated in detail.
The source of bleeding has to be investigated. This requires a CT scan chest and by bronchoscopy preferably using flexible fiber optic bronchoscope.
A normal Chest x ray is not sufficient to conclude that your chest is normal. The bleeding can be due to infection, inflammation and rarely due to cancerous development.
Please stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Cancer is more common in the elderly and causes loss of weight, dense shadows on x ray. Lumps can also be seen in other areas in the body.
If you have fever then the likelihoods of an infection is more.
Rarely, there can be a small tear in esophagus after binge drinking and vomiting and this can cause bleeding. This needs endoscopy of esophagus
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
the specialist did say she would send me for ct scan as she cud see my worry of cancer but not because she thought i had it. my chest yesterday felt real bad. not like a chest infection though. I assume it from the effects of over use of poppers (sold in some clubs in Liverpool). there was a fair amount of blood yesterday. I am not having coughin spells like I was the other week and haven't been coughing today but if I force a cough up dark red blood will come up. I just find it coincedential that it started after a heavy night out. I know you can not see inside my chest but any answers I have seen on internet there is no good results for this and I find it difficult to believe its just a damaged blood vessel. I have been given 2 courses of anitbiotics from my own gp so I guess that rules out infection? have no idea if this could even be related but I have a numb big toe for 2 weeks and keep getting pain in calf muscle but no back pain
Brief Answer:
Discuss toe numbness and calf pain with the doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
A numb big toe for two weeks with pain in calf should not be ignored. This can sometimes be due to deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life threatening condition. This happens when blood gets clotted in the leg veins. When this clot moves upwards and into the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism which is a serious medical condition. This can lead to coughing of blood is in some cases can get life threatening. I suggest you discuss in detail about this with your doctor first. If present, this has to be treated immediately to save your life. A CT scan of chest and Doppler study of leg veins may be required with other tests like D dimer assay.
If pulmonary embolism is not there then, at 31 years of age, lung cancer is less likely if you are not a heavy smoker. I do consider that you have been given two courses of antibiotics, but it is important to keep in mind that there are infections caused by fungal agents which if severe, can cause coughing of blood. Fungal infections are seen especially in those with a weak immune system and rarely in healthy people. I cannot rule out fungal infections or tuberculosis as the cause of bleeding in you.
Since you have clarified that its not blood vomiting, I am not considering stomach causes of bleeding, which is common in those who take poppers and alcohol.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Discuss toe numbness and calf pain with the doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
A numb big toe for two weeks with pain in calf should not be ignored. This can sometimes be due to deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life threatening condition. This happens when blood gets clotted in the leg veins. When this clot moves upwards and into the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism which is a serious medical condition. This can lead to coughing of blood is in some cases can get life threatening. I suggest you discuss in detail about this with your doctor first. If present, this has to be treated immediately to save your life. A CT scan of chest and Doppler study of leg veins may be required with other tests like D dimer assay.
If pulmonary embolism is not there then, at 31 years of age, lung cancer is less likely if you are not a heavy smoker. I do consider that you have been given two courses of antibiotics, but it is important to keep in mind that there are infections caused by fungal agents which if severe, can cause coughing of blood. Fungal infections are seen especially in those with a weak immune system and rarely in healthy people. I cannot rule out fungal infections or tuberculosis as the cause of bleeding in you.
Since you have clarified that its not blood vomiting, I am not considering stomach causes of bleeding, which is common in those who take poppers and alcohol.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have ct scan on 29th oct. I was coughing up blood first time b4 the leg pain started. as I said my chest felt terrible the day after taking poppers but not like a chest infection pain. the bleeding has seemed to stop with bright red blood and I just seem to be coughing up brown blood which I think m be getting less. I have already spoke to doctor over leg. I did cause sum trauma to my back the other week after a weekend away and he says he recons I have irritated a ciatic (not sure spelling) never. however what u say seems like could b quite logic but I don't think I could get ct scan any quicker. how is DVT treated. I have smoked in my life mainy canibus but not much half a splif a night XXXXXXX the pain in my calf feels like a mild cramp but nothing major. no swelling no redness. although today I did feel same pain but extremely mild in back of my thigh. do I need to ring hospital? and tell I need ct scan quicker? or you think I be ok to wait till 29th oct? thankyou
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
There is a score which goes by the name of Geneva score for DVT risk assessment followed universally.
I find your score matching with a moderate risk due to the presence of calf pain and coughing of blood which translates into a probability of 20 - 30 percent risk of pulmonary embolism.
If your heart rate is more than 95 per minute and feel shortness of breath then you might tell the hospital that you feel a quicker CT scan is required. If your heart rate is below 75 per minute and stable then you can wait till 29th October.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
There is a score which goes by the name of Geneva score for DVT risk assessment followed universally.
I find your score matching with a moderate risk due to the presence of calf pain and coughing of blood which translates into a probability of 20 - 30 percent risk of pulmonary embolism.
If your heart rate is more than 95 per minute and feel shortness of breath then you might tell the hospital that you feel a quicker CT scan is required. If your heart rate is below 75 per minute and stable then you can wait till 29th October.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i called ambulance other night when started coughin up blood thwy took a ecg. my blood pressure and oxygen levels and blood sugar. I do not know the scores but they said it was ok
Brief Answer:
Can wait toll 29th Oct for CT scan
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
If they have done the primary investigations like blood pressure and oxygen levels then you can wait till the 29th to get a CT scan done. If you ever feel breathlessness and chest pain with coughing of blood before that, then please talk to your doctor.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Can wait toll 29th Oct for CT scan
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
If they have done the primary investigations like blood pressure and oxygen levels then you can wait till the 29th to get a CT scan done. If you ever feel breathlessness and chest pain with coughing of blood before that, then please talk to your doctor.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doc. is there many things it can be? is there any not to bad out comes? if it was cancer and am coughing up blood would that be the later stages and if so would it of showed up on normal xray? I just wana know my chances. would I have other symtoms as well as blood also. the waiting for answers from testing is such a long process it drives you mad. by the way the fresh blood seemed to of stopped the day after if it was cancer wud it be constant raher than stopping and starting? sorry for all the quetions
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Lung cancer is a condition which might have symptoms other than just coughing of blood. There is significant weight loss (of more than 10 percent). Coughing is persistent and lymph nodes appear in later stages. Also it should have shown up in X ray chest.
In short if you have at least two of the below mentioned common symptoms, then risk of cancer in the lungs needs be considered.
1. a cough that doesn't go away after two or three weeks.
2. a long-standing cough that gets worse.
3. persistent chest infections.
4. coughing up blood.
5. an ache or pain when breathing or coughing.
6. persistent breathlessness.
Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- wheezing
- a hoarse voice
- swelling of your face or neck
- persistent chest or shoulder pain
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Lung cancer is a condition which might have symptoms other than just coughing of blood. There is significant weight loss (of more than 10 percent). Coughing is persistent and lymph nodes appear in later stages. Also it should have shown up in X ray chest.
In short if you have at least two of the below mentioned common symptoms, then risk of cancer in the lungs needs be considered.
1. a cough that doesn't go away after two or three weeks.
2. a long-standing cough that gets worse.
3. persistent chest infections.
4. coughing up blood.
5. an ache or pain when breathing or coughing.
6. persistent breathlessness.
Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- wheezing
- a hoarse voice
- swelling of your face or neck
- persistent chest or shoulder pain
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I did have a cough, Its more of a need to clear throat now and producing clear or white phlegm. I seem to be getting a quick sharp pain underneath armpit in ribs on left side every now and then also. felt quite weak and tired last 2 days but I didn't get much sleep last week and wondering if that is just catching up on me. very busy with work. is there many things the blood can be or is there only a few likely things
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
After ruling out a cancer like problem, there are chronic infective conditions in the developing world like tuberculosis, which cause unexplained weight loss, fever and cough for weeks with lot of phlegm production and occasional blood in cough which might get progressively worse. If you have visited any developing country in recent past or have been in contact with any person suspected to be having such disease condition then its better you get checked up. But as you have already said that chest X ray is normal and you do not have fever or weight loss then there is little to worry about.
If is important to keep in mind that stress at work or home is an important factor which can influence the appearance of many symptoms. Continuing stress can make you feel down and can also manifest with symptoms of physical disease. Feeling weak, tiredness and pain in rib cage can all be due to stress if not abnormality is found after clinical evaluation.
These are only some of the possibilities and I reassure you that once CT scan is done, most of the conditions will be ruled out.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
After ruling out a cancer like problem, there are chronic infective conditions in the developing world like tuberculosis, which cause unexplained weight loss, fever and cough for weeks with lot of phlegm production and occasional blood in cough which might get progressively worse. If you have visited any developing country in recent past or have been in contact with any person suspected to be having such disease condition then its better you get checked up. But as you have already said that chest X ray is normal and you do not have fever or weight loss then there is little to worry about.
If is important to keep in mind that stress at work or home is an important factor which can influence the appearance of many symptoms. Continuing stress can make you feel down and can also manifest with symptoms of physical disease. Feeling weak, tiredness and pain in rib cage can all be due to stress if not abnormality is found after clinical evaluation.
These are only some of the possibilities and I reassure you that once CT scan is done, most of the conditions will be ruled out.
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have started to produce small amount of fresh blood again. not as much as last Saturday night. not really been coughing much just constantly feel the need to clear throat. still getting sharp pinch in left side under arm pit by rib cage from time to time. blood from cancer is it constant. would it usually get less then start again? how much would usually be produced i.e would it be loads or could it just be small amounts. been hacking coughs more tonight and now I have blood again
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
As your chest X ray is normal, I will not think much about the armpit pain as long there is no swelling or lump in that area.
I was wondering if there is an injury to the back of your throat which has caused the bleeding. The foul taste and bleeding can be from that site. Small mucosal tears in the throat are uncommon but not unheard of. Have you got your throat tested in the recent past?
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
As your chest X ray is normal, I will not think much about the armpit pain as long there is no swelling or lump in that area.
I was wondering if there is an injury to the back of your throat which has caused the bleeding. The foul taste and bleeding can be from that site. Small mucosal tears in the throat are uncommon but not unheard of. Have you got your throat tested in the recent past?
Hope this answers your question.
Do write back if you have doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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