Join Our Community!
Welcome to the eHealth Conditions and Diseases Community connecting patients, doctors, and people who like to help.
For more information about Lungs and Respiratory Disorders, read the topics below or use our FREE Ask a Doctor service!
Ask a Doctor
Avatar
Q: blood in phlegm
asked by: eggprata on August 31st, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
It started off as a normal cold 3 days back when i took some medicine given by my doctor.Ok so the cold is good already.But i was also coughing up lots of phlegm but no sore throat.

Then today,i noticed that when i coughed,there was like blood in the phlegm,like 10% was blood. This has happened 3 times during the last 1 and a half hours.But i have been forcing to cough out the phlegm when the blood came the first time.But when i just spit saliva,there is no blood in it.Only with the phlegm does the blood come but not all the time.For example,there is blood once out of 7 times i cough out phlegm.

Could it be anything serious? I am a smoker too for 10 months now and i had smoked 45mins prior to coughing out the blood.The phlegm is thick yellow and i think there is a sound when i pant purposely to force the phlegm out.Pls advice.Thank you.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply


Replies(10)
User Profile
worriedauzzi replied on August 31st, 2008
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Firstly you shouldn't be smoking whilst you have a chest infection or cold. With colds sometimes if you cough a lot it can cause you to cough up minute amounts of blood, basically caused by too much coughing. If however you are coughing up dark blood or lots of it it would be something to worry about it. If its just pinkish bright blood mixed in with the phlegm then its most likely just caused by excess coughing also smoking dries out your throat even more. Since you had a cigerette prior to coughing up blood it seems likely that its nothing to worry about. If this persists or gets any worse I would expect you would see a doctor. You should drink a glass of milk, that helps to coat the throat so it isn't so raw from coughing. You have only been smoking for 10months? Why did you start in the first place? Lung cancer is a reality and smoking whilst sick with chest irritation is not a wise idea.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eggprata replied on August 31st, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
thanks for the reply.ive tried to quit 3 times but ive failed all the time.Well the first time the blood came it was bright red,2nd time it was slightly darker,dark red and third time it was normal red.

What are the symptoms that suggest something is seriously wrong?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eggprata replied on August 31st, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
oh yeah forgot to add,after that it took cough mixture and 2 anti biotics given by the doc ( the blood thing occured after visiting him ) and since then the phlegm has not been thick yellow but greyish watery kind and no blood since then.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
worriedauzzi replied on August 31st, 2008
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
If its no longer thick yellow that means the infection is leaving, greyish white? Sounds like its clearing and your lungs are just removing the remaining phleghm. Yes for the first time it being bright red thats because the laceration had only just happened, the second time you say it was slightly darker, I assume its because your throat was healing the wound and you coughed up the remaining blood which had by that point lost oxygen and darkened in colour, and then for it to be bright again because you hurt your throat once more. That is good that its clearing up. Giving up is something you have to really set your mind to and think to yourself do you want to contribute to your death? Lung cancer is the worst kind, maybe look up the affects of it. See ya!
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eggprata replied on August 31st, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
yeah i have been trying to quit and i am sure i can do it cos there are days when i dont smoke for 3-4 days.The urge usually comes all of a sudden and after smoking 1 stick,i am left with 19 other sticks but no urge,very complicated.

I also forgot to mention that the blood came up when i tried to force out the phlegm by breathing in hard that made the wheezing kinda noise and causing the phlegm to come up.Cos after that,there has been no more blood though there has been cough and i never tried to force it out again.That a good sign?
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
worriedauzzi replied on September 1st, 2008
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
It honestly depends how long it lasts, if after your cold this is still happening then it would be wise to get a chest xray. It sounds like your throat is just having a rough time at the moment. Well take this as your chance to quit then.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eggprata replied on September 1st, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
yeah i feel the same too,today morning,i coughed out a big disgusting thick yellow phlegm that was srsly unusually big ( sorry for the details ) and that contained no blood and today seemed to go by good,except now that when i cough my throat hurts,like a sharp pain.

What are the signs to indicate smth serious?
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
worriedauzzi replied on September 2nd, 2008
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
The pain is due to the damage caused by all the coughing. Signs of something serious ...Severe pain in the chest, difficulty breathing coughing up a fair amount of blood with every cough. It's just a cold, you are straining your throat with the irritation. How long have you had it for? Some colds can last weeks it all depends on how strong your immune system is, the fact that your smoking whilst sick is drawing your sickness out longer. Generally if you are this sick for longer than 7 consecutive days I would go check in with the doctor to make sure that the anti biotics are working ... If you are not on anti biotics and remain sick for a lengthy time then see about getting on some. Bottom line stop smoking at least until you get over your cold.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eggprata replied on September 2nd, 2008
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
yeah i am trying my level best to quit smoking,like for now,i went out with cash only enough for cash and didnt carry any cards as well,haha thats a starter.I honestly wanna stop but sometimes all cos of 1 stick it comes back again.My wheezing is slightly better now and no blood too.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
worriedauzzi replied on September 4th, 2008
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Good start!
Did you find this post useful?
|
 
Subject
Message
Jump to: