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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Coughing up flem mixed with blood
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Mar 17, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 17, 2004 12:00AM
Phlegm mixed with some blood could be due to irritation of the nose, sinuses, or lungs. Swallowing this blood will cause it to end up in your stool.
On the other hand if you are coughing up blood and not blood-streaked phlegm, you should be seen on an emergency basis. For blood to be found in the stool, it must either originate in your digestive tract, or be swallowed in large quantities from another source. You will need to be seen by a doctor without delay in order for the source of the bleeding to be found and treated. If the bleeding is severe this could be life threatening.
On the other hand if you are coughing up blood and not blood-streaked phlegm, you should be seen on an emergency basis. For blood to be found in the stool, it must either originate in your digestive tract, or be swallowed in large quantities from another source. You will need to be seen by a doctor without delay in order for the source of the bleeding to be found and treated. If the bleeding is severe this could be life threatening.
There could be many reasons why you see blood in your sputum. Ranging from dry sinuses causing bleeding and post nasal drip, all the way to a negrotizing infection in your lungs. (This is least likely). Blood in your stool can also mean many-many things. Perhaps not appropriate for this forum, but things as simple as hemeroids, to colonic polyps. What ever it is....its not normal and the remidy will not fix it here. It will be in your doctors office.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Andy, RRT, CPFT