Hemoptysis is the cough-up of blood from the lungs. It could indicate a serious medical problem. Whether you’re coughing up blood, you should consult a doctor unless you’re experiencing bronchitis. It can be caused by infections, tumours, or problems with blood veins in your lungs. 

Types of Hemoptysis – Based on Research

Hemoptysis is classified depending on how much blood you cough up in 24 hours. However, in other cases, it can be difficult to tell.

Types 1:

Minimal or mild hemoptysis: You cough up less than 20 mL (a tablespoon).

Type 2:

Non-life threatening or chronic hemoptysis: This condition is often referred to as mild or submassive hemoptysis. You may cough up 20 to 200 mL (about a cup) of blood.

Type 3:

For serious or life-threatening hemoptysis: Various experts have different ideas about what this type includes. Therefore, they range in size from 100 ml of water (mL) to over 600 mL, or about a pint.

How to Check the Signs if You Have Hemoptysis:

It can be difficult to determine the site of the bleeding. If you have hemoptysis, it is very likely that:

• Your sputum (what you cough up) is frothy, liquid, or clotted.
• If you are not nauseated or vomiting
• The blood is a bright deep red or pink colour.
• When you have lung disease as well.

Sputum will resemble coffee grounds, and blood will be brown to black or combined with food particles. Whereas if blood is coming from your stomach, you may feel nauseous or vomit. 

Diagnosis and Tests for Hemoptysis – Medical Reports Provided

If you cough up blood, your doctor will do one or more of the following:

CT scan:

This test uses detailed images of the inside of your chest and may discover some reasons for blood coughing.

A chest X-ray:

This can indicate whether you have a mass in your chest, as well as areas of fluid or inflammation in your lungs.

Arterial blood gas analysis:

This test determines the levels of both carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood. Carbon dioxide levels could be low in those coughing up blood.

Full blood count (CBC):

This test determines the quantity of white and red blood cells, as well as platelets, in your blood (cells that help blood clot).

Hemoptysis Treatment – How to treat it?

The treatment of hemoptysis is mostly determined by the underlying disease and severity. People may well be started on oxygen therapy, intubated, or put on their side in the lateral decubitus position. However, which employs gravity to keep blood from accessing the unaffected lung. Securing the patient’s airway may be a priority in cases of significant hemoptysis or life-threatening hemoptysis.

Treatment of the underlying cause can be the primary treatment option in non-massive hemoptysis. As a result, infections can be treated with antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals. Malignancy symptoms may necessitate a consult with an oncologist.

Blood products and intravenous fluids may be required. Surgical intervention may be required in some cases. Bronchoscopy may also be used to introduce a balloon catheter or embolize the bronchial arteries in order to stop additional bleeding.

Final Verdict:

Hemoptysis is only rarely severe or does not resolve on its own. If a big clot blocks a major airway, doctors may need to use bronchoscopy to clear the clot. The professional doctor will diagnose the problem under certain tests and conclude the best treatment for recovery!