What causes someone to spit up blood?

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you felt like spitting fire? Well, how about spitting blood? Okay, probably not as glamorous and definitely not as desirable. But unfortunately, it’s a reality for some people. There are various reasons why someone might spit up blood (and no, biting your tongue too hard during the last round of karaoke is not one of them).

Let’s get into what could be causing this alarming symptom.

Understanding Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis – in layman terms – is when there’s bloody discharge from the respiratory tract through coughing or spitting up (oh goodie!). It occurs due to pathological changes within the lungs and airways (say whaaat?!) Let me break it down for us ignorant folk: The hemoptysis results from bleeding in the respiratory system between either main bronchi or alveoli (woah! Big words!).

But wait, breathe easy; if hemoptysis happens once in a blue moon then maybe don’t jump off any cliffs thinking that death is upon us just yet (phew).

If however you’ve been seeing red more often than normal (coughing up blood mixed with mucus), let’s talk:

Heads Up on Possible Reasons

Trauma (cue in dramatic music!)

So drama alert, traumatic injuries to chest wall or lung itself can cause your beautiful crimson blood dropping moments.

Picture this scenario – after an intense dodgeball match over at our rival gym class school…Stacy was being carried out on her coach’s shoulder because they won. While cheering away she accidentally gets hit by a stray dodgeball right smack dab on her chest (egads!)

2 hours later while watching re-runs of MTV Cribs feeling sore af she notices streaks of bright red amongst her saliva. Don’t panic yet; it’s very possible she might have suffered from tissue damage in the chest, broken ribs or muscle tears.

Similarly, people who undergo invasive procedures like a biopsy of the lung or respiratory tract may end up with small amounts of blood in their saliva (due to bleeding occurring at site).

Lung Disorders

Simply put: any complications within lungs and related structures that cause bleeding can lead to hemoptysis.

Do you smoke cigarettes?

If yes, there’s an increased risk for coughing up haunting scarlet globs in smokers due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tumors (a phenomenon aptly nicknamed as ‘the C word) present in lung cancer accentuate this reality further.

I know – getting rid of old habits is never easy! But if our physiology warns us about bogeys now through spitting flames err blood, let’s maybe contemplate giving ourselves another chance (those blackened lungs aren’t worth it)!

Blood Related Conditions

Here comes one more reason why I don’t want my dentist sneezing on me while drinking water/beer/juice/milk/ literally anything!

Nose bleeds are fairly common during winters when heaters precipitate dry air conditions causing membranes lining nasal passages to dehydrate & crack making them susceptible towards bleeding away without care.

Seen devilish red flakes lately? You might be possibly suffering from flu [bless you], Tuberculosis ([-insert gasps-] but always prove under professional medical consultation) or even Pneumonia which causes excess inflammation along bronchial tubes & alveoli- hence increasing chances of delicate tissues rupturing in unison pulling out a horror movie-esque scene right before your eyes (+10 points for extra drama!). An auto-immune condition named Goodpasture syndrome also causes excessive bleeding into kidney/lung framework.

Others

Listed below are a few more reasons why that big gulp of Bloody Mary is suddenly making us all the more uncomfortable.

  • Side effects from drugs (if you’re taking any be sure to check with your medical practitioner beforehand for compatibility)
  • Blood clots within pulmonary artery and/or oxygen chamber
  • Messing up the gastric juices balance in stomach while inducing emetic reflex (maybe reconsider that lasagna right before bed, huh?)

The Bottom Line

It might seem as if I’m trying to make light of a serious topic but honestly, there’s nothing ‘funny’ about spitting out blood like we just finished filming an episode of ‘The Vampire Diaries’. It’s quite possible this article emboldened our very rational tendency of self-diagnosis; however note: what happens over here stays over here. So please do not, by any means take it lightly when experiencing hemoptysis because given some situations promptness in response can sometimes mean the difference between life and death (exclamation points have never been so sobering).

In hindsight we know now given circumstances why a body may behave in certain ways. So henceforth renew those gym memberships & – who would’ve guessed?- healthy living changes actually might impact physiology positively [who knew?]. Say no to smoking or snuffing harmful substances down our throats! And most importantly don’t skip appointments with doctors where they will assist you way better than though occasional visits to Dr.Google because ‹ spoiler alert– statistics shows time and again how inaccurate results turn out /wink/.

Random Posts