The presence of blood in phlegm is not always a wake-up call for a serious problem, especially in young and healthy people, being, in these cases, almost always linked to the presence of a prolonged cough or dryness of the membranes of the respiratory system, which eventually bleeds.
However, if the amount of blood in phlegm is very high, if it lasts longer than 3 days, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or wheezing, it is important to see a family doctor or pneumologist, as this may also be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as a respiratory infection or even cancer.
Then, some of the most common causes of blood in phlegm are
When you have an allergy or flu and have a dry, strong and prolonged cough, the presence of blood during coughing is relatively common, due to airway irritation, which can eventually mix with mucus; this situation is temporary and generally not serious., disappearing within a few days, especially when coughing improves.
What to do: Ideally try to soothe the cough to reduce airway irritation, a good option is to drink plenty of water during the day and take a homemade honey syrup with propolis, for example, learn how to make this syrup and other natural cough recipes.
People who use blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin or heparin, have an increased risk of bleeding from various parts of the body as the blood thins, so if there is slight airway irritation, it may be due to an allergy, for example, there may be small bleeding that is eliminated with coughing and mucus.
What to do: If the amount of blood present in phlegm is low, it is not a wake-up call, however, if there is significant bleeding, you should go to the hospital.
Another relatively common cause of blood in mucus is the development of a lung infection, which can range from a simple infection, such as flu, to more serious situations such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, for example.
In cases of respiratory infection, other symptoms, such as yellowish or greenish snot, shortness of breath, pale skin, bluish fingers, fever and chest pain, are also common, looking for other signs to help identify a case of lung infection.
What to do: If a respiratory infection is suspected, it is always important to consult a pneumologist to confirm the diagnosis, identify the cause, and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which may include an antibiotic.
Bronchictose is a chronic disease in which permanent dilation of the pulmonary bronchi occurs, causing excessive mucus production, as well as a frequent feeling of shortness of breath; In addition, the presence of blood in phlegm is also a very common sign.
This condition is incurable, but treatment with medications prescribed by the pulmonologist helps to alleviate symptoms during seizures to better understand what bronchectasia is and how to identify it.
What to do: Bronchoctose should always be diagnosed by a doctor, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated, so in the face of suspicion of this pathology you should consult a pneumologist to perform tests, such as x-rays, and observe the characteristics of the bronchi..
Bronchitis is a lung problem that is often also associated with the release of mucus with blood, as it is common for the person to have chronic bronchitis, where there is recurrent inflammation of the bronchi, which increases airway irritation and the chances of bleeding..
In case of bronchitis, mucus is usually white or slightly yellow, accompanied by some blood, wheezing, frequent fatigue and feeling short of breath.Look at other symptoms and find out what treatments can be used.
What to do: Rest and adequate water intake are often able to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, however, if symptoms persist or if shortness of breath worsens, it is advisable to go to the hospital, as it may be necessary to use corticosteroids directly.In the vein People with chronic bronchitis should be followed by the pneumologist, starting to use the medications indicated by the doctor as soon as the first signs of crisis appear.
Pulmonary edema, also known as “water in the lungs,” occurs when there is a buildup of fluids in the respiratory system and is therefore more common in people with heart problems, such as congestive heart failure, where there is no blood..it is pumped properly through the heart and therefore accumulates inside the lung.
In these cases, the released phlegm can be reddish or pink and has a slight frothy consistency.In addition, other common symptoms include shortness of breath, bluish lips and fingers, chest pain and rapid heartbeat.
What to do: Pulmonary edema is considered a medical emergency, for example, if you have a heart problem and suspect a change in the lung, it is very important to go quickly to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment that, in case of edema, is done in the hospital.at the hospital. Learn more about treating this condition.
Lung cancer is a rarer disease, but it can also cause the development of blood mucus.This type of cancer is most common in people over the age of 40 who are smokers.
Other symptoms that may also appear in lung cancer include persistent cough that does not improve, weight loss, hoarseness, back pain and extreme fatigue.See the 10 signs that may indicate lung cancer.
What to do: Whenever there is a suspected cancer, especially in people with risk factors, it is very important to consult the pneumologist for all necessary tests, confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.Generally, the sooner cancer is identified, the easier it will be to cure.
It is important to see your doctor whenever there are many discomforts, however, the situations that need to be evaluated more quickly are:
In addition, if bloody mucus is a very recurrent symptom, it is also important to consult a doctor, who may be the family doctor or pneumologist.
Typically, to study these types of symptoms, your doctor may perform tests such as chest x-rays, spirometry, or CT scans, for example.