reviewed by dr. Shabrina Wakid
Coughing up blood or hemoptysis is a condition when a person coughs with blood. This condition can be a symptom of certain diseases. So that it doesn’t become a serious complication, it’s important to know the causes of coughing up blood and how to treat it appropriately.
Coughing up blood should not be taken lightly. If experienced by people who have no history of disease, it can indicate a serious illness. Meanwhile, if experienced by people who have certain diseases or smokers, it can indicate a more serious condition. Then, what causes coughing up blood and how to treat it? Here’s more information.
Causes of Coughing up Blood
There are certain diseases that are characterized by coughing up blood, namely:
- Pulmonary oedema. Cough with pink, frothy blood.
- Lung infection. This disease is characterized by colored phlegm, shortness of breath, and fever. Acute lung infections such as bronchitis and chronic lung infections such as TB and bronchiectasis.
- Tuberculosis or TB. Severe lung infection characterized by coughing up blood, excessive sweating and fever.
- Bronchiectasis. Lung disease that triggers mucus buildup in the airways.
- Pulmonary embolism. Blood clots that trigger sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Lung cancer.
- Throat cancer.
- gastric ulcer.
- Serious injuries, such as a motor vehicle accident.
- Side effects of drug use.
- Side effects of taking blood thinners.
The Right Way to Treat a Bloody Cough
So that the results are optimal, the treatment of coughing up blood needs to be adjusted to the cause which is known through a health examination. Handling is not only to stop coughing up blood, but also to overcome the cause. Here are several types of treatment for coughing up blood according to the cause:
- Antibiotic use. To treat coughing up blood caused by lung infections, such as tuberculosis.
- Use of throat lozenges. For coughing up blood caused by irritation and sores on the throat.
- Radiation therapy or chemotherapy. For coughing up blood caused by lung cancer.
- Use of steroids. For coughing up blood caused by inflammation and injury to the respiratory tract.
- Bronchial artery embolization. For coughing up blood caused by bleeding in the arteries. This method is done by blocking the problematic arteries with substances and diverting them to other arteries that are healthier.
- Operation. This action is taken if the coughing up blood is caused by a condition that poses a risk to life, for example, lung removal surgery for severe lung disease.
In addition, there are several independent treatments for dengue fever that can be done at home, namely:
- Eat nutritious food to speed healing.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Enough rest.
- Take paracetamol to reduce fever. However, avoid using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, especially in children, because they can exacerbate symptoms and trigger Reye’s syndrome.
Effective Prevention of Coughing up Blood
Coughing up blood is actually not a disease, but a symptom of a more serious illness. Therefore, an effective prevention of coughing up blood is to carry out certain treatments to treat the cause. Symptoms that are not treated as soon as possible will only exacerbate the cause.
Changing your lifestyle is also important to prevent coughing up blood, for example not smoking, having regular health checks at a doctor or hospital, and staying away from exposure to pollution.
