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Phlegm is a liquid in the form of thick mucus in the respiratory tract. Phlegm is usually expelled when you cough. Normal phlegm is generally clear and slimy. However, if you experience bloody phlegm, there may be problems with the respiratory tract.
Bloody phlegm occurs when you have a severe cough. The causes are varied and quite serious in nature. The blood in phlegm usually comes from the lungs, but can also come from the digestive tract.
If the blood in the phlegm is bright red and mixed with mucus, then it is likely that the blood comes from the lungs. Or the medical term is hemoptysis. What are the causes of phlegm and how to treat it? Check out the explanation below.
Causes of Bloody Phlegm
Bloody phlegm is caused by several factors, such as coughing that is prolonged and too loud. However, bloody phlegm can also be caused by quite serious illnesses. The following are the causes of bloody phlegm quoted on the Tua Saúde page.
1. Prolonged and persistent cough
Having allergies, flu and persistent coughing can cause bloody phlegm. This can happen because there is irritation of the respiratory tract. This irritation causes blood to mix with phlegm.
This condition is temporary and not serious. Bloody phlegm will disappear in a few days when the cough has subsided and improved. However, if the cough does not subside, it is a good idea to have an examination.
2. Dry Air Duct
Dry airways can affect the nose, pharynx and larynx, causing bloody phlegm. Dry airways are usually caused by a cold, flu, allergies, coughing or constant sneezing. This causes irritation of the mucosa lining the respiratory tract.
Apart from that, dry air ducts can also be caused by the environment or surrounding temperature. A dry environment will cause small blood vessels in the nose and throat to burst, resulting in bloody phlegm.
3. Taking anticoagulant drugs
Taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin or heparin will have side effects in the form of bleeding in several parts of the body. This drug will make the blood thinner, making it easier to bleed. Anticoagulants can also cause irritation of the respiratory tract.
4. Respiratory Infections
Another cause of bloody phlegm is an infection in the lungs. It can be mild infections such as flu and colds, to more serious conditions, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
Not only bloody phlegm, respiratory infections are also characterized by other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, paleness, blue lips, fever, chest pain, and yellow or green phlegm.
5. Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition associated with permanent widening of the bronchi. This can cause excessive phlegm production, and will make shortness of breath.
6. Bronchitis
Bloody phlegm can also be caused by bronchitis. Bronchitis occurs due to inflammation of the bronchi, which irritates the respiratory tract and causes bleeding. Symptoms of bronchitis are generally producing yellowish-white phlegm, with a few drops of blood.
7. Edema Paru
Pulmonary edema is caused by a buildup of fluid in the lungs. This occurs in people who have heart problems, such as congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure causes blood not to be sent throughout the body and to accumulate in the small blood vessels in the lungs.
This is what causes red or pink phlegm to come out, and looks a little foamy. Other symptoms of pulmonary edema include difficulty breathing, blue lips, increased heart rate and chest pain.
8. Lung Cancer
The final cause of bloody phlegm is lung cancer. Lung cancer generally occurs in people aged 40 years. Apart from that, it also happens to people who smoke. Other symptoms of lung cancer include persistent coughing, hoarseness, weight loss, back pain and extreme fatigue.
How to Handle Bloody Phlegm
If you experience bloody phlegm, it’s a good idea to have a health check. The doctor will recommend a thorough physical examination, such as blood tests, chest X-rays, CT scans and bronchoscopy.
This examination is carried out to find out the exact cause of bloody phlegm, so that appropriate treatment can be carried out. The following is the treatment quoted on the Healthline page
Giving oral antibiotics for infections such as pneumonia Giving antiviral drugs Giving cough medicine Drinking enough water.
To prevent bloody phlegm, it is necessary to maintain good respiratory system health. The way to do this is to stop smoking and avoid smoke and dust. That’s what we can say about bloody phlegm. Hope it is useful!
Watch the video “KuTips: 2 herbal remedies to cure coughs caused by air pollution”
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2023-12-02 15:00:00
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