Occasionally, blood streaks may occur in sputum expectorant during coughing. If this symptom is episodic, then it indicates damage to the vessel. In this case, there is no room for panic. But, if a cough with blood with a cold is lingering, then it's time to sound the alarm. After all, this symptom can signal serious diseases of the internal organs.
Possible reasons
There are many sources that can cause similar symptoms. In this case, it is very important to correctly determine the cause of hemoptysis. A small amount of light blood appears in sputum as a result of increased pressure during coughing. And veins or clumps of dark red color - this is already quite an alarming signal. Such symptoms are characteristic of lung cancer or tuberculosis.
What ailments cause coughing blood? The causes of such symptoms are hidden in the following diseases:
- inflammatory processes in the lungs and bronchi;
- tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis;
- colds, flu;
- oncology;
- gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers);
- cardiovascular ailments;
- injuries of the bronchi, damage to the trachea.
Concomitant symptoms
Before choosing a treatment, it should be determined from which body systems when coughing blood comes from? It comes from the respiratory tract, or is provoked by the sinuses, stomach, and oral cavity.
Concomitant symptoms are able to tell the patient the true cause of this phenomenon. For example, pulmonary hemorrhages are characterized by pain, unpleasant chest discomfort. In this case, the liquid released is usually colored pink. Blood coming from the stomach has a darker color scheme. Accompanying the phenomenon of vomiting, pain in the abdomen. Often with sputum, a portion of food or other contents of the stomach is secreted.
Bronchial diseases
In most of all cases, the pathological process occurs with ailments of the respiratory tract. Basically, a cough with blood appears with bronchitis or bronchiectasis.
In the acute or chronic stage of the disease, the patient suffers from severe coughing attacks. As a rule, dense sputum is released in very large quantities. Blood veins can often be found in it. However, this symptom does not appear in all patients who are diagnosed with bronchitis.
In most cases, there is a cough with blood in the morning.
Lung abscess, pneumonia
The characteristic symptoms are inflammatory processes in the lungs. In this case, sputum becomes rusty or, on the contrary, bright scarlet. Accompanied by pneumonia, high fever, chest pain, severe deterioration in general condition. If the patient is weakened, then often the disease is fraught with such a serious complication as lung abscess.
In this case, the patient’s temperature rises rapidly, severe pain occurs in the chest. Sputum during coughing contains a small amount of pus. It takes on a greenish tint and has an unpleasant odor.
Most often, there is a strong cough with blood in the morning. In this way, the abscess is emptied. After this, the patient experiences noticeable relief. Body temperature decreases slightly.
Laryngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis
With these diseases, blood streaks can occur in sputum. Ailments are accompanied by other symptoms. As a rule, the patient has a change in voice, sore throat.
Tuberculosis
Unfortunately, this is one of the common causes of severe coughing, accompanied by blood secretion. This symptom can be a complication of any form of pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, if the cough is protracted, and blood clots are present in the sputum, you should immediately consult a doctor. Often, such symptoms are the first sign of an impending ailment.
Tuberculosis is accompanied by fever, weight loss, heavy sweating, especially at night. The patient has increased fatigue, a painful cough.
Lung cancer
Oncology of internal organs for a long time may not appear at all. In the future, the patient periodically coughs. In sputum there is blood in the form of clots or veins. Such symptoms are combined with worsening conditions. This is especially acute in the morning. Acquires a lingering cough. In the chest, the patient experiences a burning sensation. It is difficult enough for the patient to clear his throat. Clots often stand out. Also, the disease is characterized by a sharp deterioration in appetite and weight loss.
Cardiovascular disease
In some cases, the patient may develop pulmonary hypertension. The patient has shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air. Stagnation of blood leads to its appearance in sputum during coughing. With this symptomatology, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Pulmonary hemorrhage
This phenomenon is life threatening to the patient. It is characterized by heavy bleeding during coughing. Accompanying the disease is pain in the sternum, shortness of breath. If a large amount of blood is present in the patient’s sputum, this is a serious reason for urgent hospitalization.
Colds
As noted earlier, often unpleasant symptoms can cause damage to small vessels. In this case, a cough with blood for colds is not fraught with danger. However, it should be remembered that the frequent presence of veins in sputum should alert. The best solution for such symptoms is to undergo a complete medical examination.
First aid
If there is a cough with blood with a cold, this phenomenon does not need urgent intervention. During treatment, special attention should be paid to strengthening the vessels. For these purposes, it is recommended to take certain vitamin complexes. An excellent drug is Ascorutin.
With a cold, which accompanies a cough with blood, with bronchitis, the following alternative treatment methods are recognized as quite effective:
- Aloe (pulp) with honey.
- Ginger root broth with lemon.
- Warm milk with mineral (alkaline) water.
- Inhalation over essential oils or a decoction of potatoes.
- Harvesting herbs (chest), characterized by an expectorant effect.
Diagnosis of diseases
To determine the causes of unpleasant symptoms, you should initially visit a therapist. If necessary, he will refer you to a specialist. This may be an ENT specialist, a pulmonologist, a TB doctor (if tuberculosis is suspected), or an oncologist.
However, to determine exactly whether a cough with blood occurs with a cold or a more serious illness, the doctor is able only after a laboratory examination. As a rule, the following diagnostic methods are recommended to the patient:
- General blood analysis. This examination will show the degree of the inflammatory process in the body.
- Sputum analysis. Allows you to diagnose bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia.
- Sweat analysis. This study identifies cystic fibrosis leading to colds.
- Chest x-ray. A very important diagnostic method. It gives a complete description of tuberculosis, pneumonia, embolism, lung abscess, and cancer.
- Bronchoscopy (examination of the walls). A study is used to diagnose oncology, bronchiectasis and some other ailments.
- CT Computed tomography is able to detect in sufficient detail all changes in the lungs.
- ECG, coagulogram, FEGDS. These studies are used to identify the cause of the disease, the source of which is not a cold. In these cases, methods are used to determine cardiovascular and gastroenterological diseases. Clotting of blood is thoroughly investigated.
Treatment
Only after diagnosis can the question of the fight against the disease be raised. If the cause of the phenomenon is hidden in the common cold, then the treatment will include recommendations to strengthen the immune system. The doctor will prescribe antitussive drugs. The complex of drug therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the nature of the cough, syrups, cough tablets may be prescribed, the price (average) of which is given in parentheses:
- "Bromhexine" (18 p);
- "Broncholitin" (73 p);
- Ambroxol (25 r);
- Sinupret (277 r);
- "Gedelix" (226 r);
- "Herbion" (204 p).
If there are no contraindications, mustard plasters can be given to the patient. However, it should be remembered that this tool can not be used at elevated temperatures. It is forbidden to place mustard plasters on moles, spine, bone protrusions. In no case should you use these drugs for tuberculosis, tumors, lung abscesses.
Cough pills will be ineffective, the price of which varies within reasonable limits, with serious ailments. In the case of bacterial bronchitis or pneumonia, it is advisable to take antibiotics. Special drugs are prescribed for the treatment of tuberculosis. When diagnosing oncology, chemistry is connected, and sometimes the surgical way to solve the problem is considered. Patients who have a lung abscess or bronchiectasis may need surgery.
Preventative measures
Any disease is much easier to prevent than to deal with it. Therefore, it is advisable to follow certain preventive measures. These include:
- Compliance with a healthy lifestyle. Do not forget about moderate physical loads and mandatory walks in the fresh air.
- Balanced diet. The diet should be enriched with trace elements and vitamins.
- Strengthening immunity. It is possible to recommend hardening.
- Complete cessation of smoking or its significant reduction.
- Treatment in sanatoriums for patients suffering from ailments of the bronchopulmonary system.
- Minimize crowded visits during outbreaks.
- Fighting colds at the first symptom. It is recommended not to bring the disease to complications.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment of ailments that can cause a cough with the presence of blood in the sputum. It is mandatory to control coagulation.
Remember that the treatment of diseases directly depends on the reasons that provoked it. At the same time, the prevention of unpleasant symptoms is completely in your hands. The right way of life, timely treatment of ailments, strengthening immunity will protect you not only from coughing up blood, but also provide good health for many years to come.