Hemoptysis refers to coughing up blood from some part of the lungs (respiratory tract). Blood coming from elsewhere, such as your stomach, can appear to be from the lungs. 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 (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms
- Cystic fibrosis
- Drug use, such as crack cocaine
- Foreign body
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis)
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer
- Mitral valve stenosis
- Parasitic infection
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in an artery in the lung)
- Trauma to the chest
- Tuberculosis
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
- Weinberger SE. Etiology and evaluation of hemoptysis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/ home. Accessed March 6, 2015.
- Ferri FF. Hemoptysis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2015: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2015:543. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 6, 2015.
- Kapur S, et al. Hemoptysis and thoracic fungal infections. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:985.
- AskMayoExpert. Hemoptysis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015.