The lungs are a pair of organs in the chest that is responsible for respiration. This is a process which involves breathing in air and adding fresh oxygen to the blood which then transports the oxygen to the cells. The process is vital for the overall functioning of the entire body since without oxygen, the body will simply falter. There are various factors and conditions that can alter how the lungs function such as respiratory infections and lung cancer. An indication of poor lung function is bleeding in the lungs which are often only noticed once it is coughed up. If you want to learn what conditions can cause bleeding in the lungs, click here.
Pulmonary embolism
Once one or more of the arteries in the lungs end up blocked, it can lead to a condition known as pulmonary embolism. A common indication of pulmonary embolism is no other than bleeding in the lungs. If symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain occur, this is followed by coughing up of blood. The severity of bleeding in the lungs usually depends on the degree of blockage in the lungs. Always remember that pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and entails immediate medical care.
Bacterial infection
If bacterial infection is suspected, it is usually present among individuals who have pneumococcal pneumonia. The bacteria release toxins that trigger the manifestation of harsh bleeding in the lungs. The condition basically causes infection in the upper respiratory tract and the progression of the toxins could not be controlled even if antibiotics are given. On the inside, the condition can also cause the buildup of fluids in the lungs, resulting to difficulty breathing and coughing up blood.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer has a number of symptoms such as blood in the lungs due to bleeding and chronic cough. The bleeding due to lung cancer can become severe but there are treatment options that can help control the bleeding. It is vital to be properly diagnosed by a doctor if lung cancer is suspected.
Other causes of bleeding in the lungs
It is important to note that there are other causes of bleeding in the lungs such as lung abscesses and pneumonia. In case of pneumonia, it causes infection and inflammation in the lungs. The bleeding in the lungs due to pneumonia is rare but medical care is required in order to treat any symptoms to prevent complications from developing. As for lung abscesses, it can develop due to infections or appear as symptoms of other medical conditions. As long as pneumonia is treated early, it will not cause any life-threatening complications.
Always remember that once bleeding in the lungs occurs, it can indicate a serious underlying medication condition that requires immediate medical care. If any of these conditions are not treated right away, it can worsen the condition of the individual or even lead to death.