Coughing Up Blood in the Morning

About two weeks ago I picked up a common cold from my friend and just a few days after that, I noticed that in the mornings when I used to wake up, I coughed up blood. Although it didn't last throughout the day, but immediately after waking up, i used to cough excessively. However the rest of the day, my phlegm used to be clear but with a tiny speck of blood occasionally. Also I used to feel an irritation and fullness and even wheezing in my throat. Being worried about my condition, I decided to consult a doctor and from him what I came to know, I would like to share with you all...

Also known as hemoptysis, this is a serious symptom that should be properly examined by a reliable practitioner. Coughing up blood indicates that there is an injury or inflammation either in lungs, bronchus, air sinuses, esophagus or other related parts due to common cold, flu, bacterial or viral infection or unhealthy habits like smoking. Here are some of the prime causes.

Coughing Up Blood: Causes

Sinusitis
The most likely cause of coughing up blood is sinusitis which is an inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses. The inflammation or irritation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, viral infection like cold, or excessive exposure to an allergen or irritant like dust, pollution, smoke, pollens, etc. This inflammation can block sinus drainage and may lead to increased mucus production. The mucus normally drains from the nose but the sinuses down the back of the throat makes the post nasal drip even more worse. Hence, the sufferer may feel irritation, fullness and wheezing in the throat, along with coughing up of blood.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages within the lungs which develops when the trachea, large and small bronchi in the lungs become inflamed. It primarily occurs due to excessive smoking or long term inhalation of irritants into the lungs. There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi or tubes in the upper respiratory tract that carry the air to the lungs, resulting in thick mucus production that affects breathing. Chronic bronchitis is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that causes inflammation of lower respiratory tract, resulting in loose and wet cough that produces excessive amounts of mucus.

Emphysema
Emphysema, another common cause, is a chronic, ongoing, progressive disease of the lower respiratory tract in the lungs. Just like bronchitis, it is also a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which occurs as a result of smoking, long-term inhalation of certain irritants into the lungs and rarely due to hereditary factors. Chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, blood in mucus, etc. are some other symptoms of emphysema.

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the lungs. Commonly related to excessive smoking or tobacco use, it is one of the most common type of cancer. Some of its symptoms include chronic cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, etc.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a contagious and deadly respiratory disease caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that affects the lungs and other related parts in the body. A typical tuberculosis manifestations include fever, night sweats, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), low appetite, weight loss and chest pain and tightness while breathing (pleuritic pain).

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by a number of different microorganisms like bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasites. Often characterized as inflammation of the parenchyma of the lung and fluid accumulation in lungs, it affects people with weak immune system and leads to symptoms like high fever, persistent cough, chest pain and coughing up blood.

In case, you observe occasional blood streaks in the phlegm, you can wait for a few days and try some home remedies for cough to see if the condition improves. However, if the condition worsens with time and you are coughing up blood in the morning, immediately consult your doctor for a thorough respiratory examination, including chest X-ray, CT scan of the chest, bronchoscopy (to check site of bleeding in respiratory tract), lung biopsy, etc. and necessary medications.