Thick sputum with blood streaks

Sometimes, when we cough up phlegm, we will find some blood. In fact, if this situation is not serious, it is likely that the mucous membrane is damaged, resulting in some blood in the sputum. Generally speaking, if there is not much blood, it can actually heal itself, but if it is more serious, you have to go to the hospital for treatment. Today we will talk about the causes of thick sputum with blood.

Bloody sputum means sputum with blood streaks and blood clots. Bright red blood in sputum is often seen in tuberculosis or bronchiectasis, and sometimes this phenomenon can also occur when there is inflammation in the pharynx. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this disease is probably caused by stagnant fire damaging the lungs. The lung metal is affected by the evil and cannot produce water. When water and fire cannot complement each other, the yin fire becomes hyperactive and the yang coagulates into phlegm and blood, resulting in the disease. If not treated early, the lung metal will be severely injured, fire will be strong and blood will flow backwards, coming out in lumps and pieces with phlegm, or sometimes without phlegm. In mild cases, it may occur in the early morning, and in severe cases, it may occur frequently from time to time. If the patient is depressed or angry, it may occur at the slightest touch, which is called "Shock Wave". If not treated promptly, it will only be a mild case of cold, but will turn into a serious illness.

Causes of bloody sputum

1. Common bronchial diseases include bronchiectasis (tuberculous or non-tuberculous), chronic bronchitis, endobronchial tuberculosis, bronchial carcinoma (primary lung cancer), etc. Less common ones include benign bronchial tumors, endobronchial stones, and nonspecific bronchial ulcers.

2. Common lung diseases include tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung abscess, etc. Less common ones include pulmonary congestion, pulmonary infarction, malignant tumor metastasis, lung cysts, pulmonary fungal disease, and paragonimiasis. Tuberculosis is one of the most common causes of hemoptysis.

3. The most common cardiovascular disease is hemoptysis caused by mitral valve stenosis. Hemoptysis may also occur when certain congenital heart diseases such as atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus cause pulmonary hypertension.

4. Other blood diseases (such as thrombocytopenic purpura, leukemia, hemophilia, etc.); acute infectious diseases (such as pulmonary hemorrhagic leptospirosis, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, etc.); connective tissue diseases (such as polyarteritis nodosa); endometriosis, etc.

Symptoms of bloody sputum that are easily confused

1. Bronchiectasis: In a small number of patients with a long course of illness, there is a large amount of sputum, which can be separated into three layers when left to stand: the upper layer is foamy, the middle layer is green and turbid, and the bottom layer is thick pus. Hemoptysis is common and may be the first or only complaint; it results from capillary erosion and sometimes from bronchial arteries and arterial anastomoses. Recurrent fever or chest pain, with or without frank pneumonia, is also common. The presence of the above symptoms can make a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. In the late stage with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, there may be wheezing, shortness of breath and other manifestations of respiratory insufficiency and cor pulmonale.

2. Pulmonary tuberculosis: Typical pulmonary tuberculosis has a gradual onset and a long course of illness, with symptoms such as low fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, cough and a small amount of hemoptysis. However, most patients have mild lesions and often no obvious symptoms. They are first discovered through X-ray health examinations. Some patients are diagnosed with sudden hemoptysis, but the disease can often be traced back to mild toxic symptoms during the course of the disease.

3. Mitral stenosis: ① Blood in sputum or bloody sputum is related to bronchitis, lung infection, pulmonary congestion or capillary rupture; often accompanied by paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; hemoptysis may also occur in late-stage bleeding and pulmonary infarction in mitral stenosis; ② Massive hemoptysis is caused by a sudden increase in left atrial pressure, resulting in rupture and bleeding of bronchial veins. It is more common in patients with early mitral stenosis and only mild or moderate pulmonary artery elevation. ③Pink foamy sputum is caused by ruptured capillaries and is a characteristic of acute pulmonary edema.