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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffHemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from some part of the lungs (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.
References
- Weinberger S. Etiology and evaluation of hemoptysis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/ index. Accessed March 16, 2012.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00017-3--sc29000&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&uniqId=323918747-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00017-3--sc29000. Accessed March 16, 2012.
- Kapur S, et al. Hemoptysis and thoracic fungal infections. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:985.
- Edell ES (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 12, 2012.
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