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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffHemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from some part of the respiratory tract. Blood coming from elsewhere, such as your stomach, can mimic coughing up blood. It's important for your doctor to determine the site of the bleeding, and then determine why you're coughing up blood.
The major cause of coughing up blood is chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. Other possible causes of coughing up blood include:
- COPD
- Cystic fibrosis
- Drug use, such as crack cocaine
- Emphysema
- Foreign body
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer
- Mitral valve stenosis
- Parasitic infection
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Trauma to the chest
- Tuberculosis
- Wegener's granulomatosis
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- Hemoptysis. In: Kahan S, et al. In a Page Signs and Symptoms. 2nd ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:144.
- Larsen K, et al. Hemoptysis. In: Paulman P, et al. Taylor's 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual. 2nd ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007:155.
- Bidwell J, et al. Hemoptysis: Diagnosis and management. American Family Physician. 2005;72:1253.
- Weinberger S. Etiology and evaluation of hemoptysis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
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