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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Jeremy Feldman, MD

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Coughing Up Blood – Hemoptysis

November 21, 2018 By Dr. Jeremy Feldman

IPF cough

Patients with lung disease can experience many scary things, including feeling short of breath, inability to cough up phlegm, chest pain and lightheadedness.  Another less common symptom is coughing up blood.  The medical term for this is hemoptysis. Coughing up blood can be a particularly alarming experience.  Usually it is painless.  Your doctor will ask if the blood is bright or dark and whether it is mostly blood or mixed with mucous.  Also important is the quantity—a teaspoon, tablespoon or cups at a time.  At times a nose bleed can be mistaken for coughing up of blood.

In general, coughing up blood is not a typical or common occurrence for patients with IPF.  Some of the other causes of fibrosis, and other types of problems in the lungs may be more prone to develop this problem. The most common cause of coughing up a small amount of blood mixed with phlegm is bronchitis. This may be viral, bacterial or due to smoking.  The general approach to this problem is to treat the underlying bronchitis.  Inhaled medications such as albuterol, cough suppressants and even prednisone can be tried.  Antibiotics are often prescribed but of unclear benefit.

Patients that have bronchiectasis (abnormal dilation of the small airways of the lungs) are particularly prone to coughing up blood.  This can become a serious problem very quickly and should prompt you to seek urgent evaluation.  Treatment is often antibiotics, inhaled medications and cough suppression.

Patients that have chronic fungal or cavitary lung disease may experience abrupt large volume coughing up of blood.  This is an emergency.  Patients should be seen in an emergency department immediately.  Management may involve urgent embolization (blocking off of the bleeding vessels).  Surgery is sometimes required.

Fortunately, for most patients with IPF, coughing up blood is very rare.

Filed Under: IPF Symptoms

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  • What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
    • Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Causes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Who Gets Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GER) and IPF
    • Interstitial Lung Disease vs. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Hereditary?
    • Research, Life Expectancy & Prognosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diagnosing IPF

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosis
    • Chest X-rays Used in IPF
    • CPET used in IPF
    • HRCT Scans Used to Evaluate IPF
    • Lung Biopsy To Diagnose IPF
    • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTS)
    • Six Minute Walk Test To Monitor IPF
    • Stages of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Treating IPF

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment Options
    • Esbriet (pirfenidone) Used to Treat IPF
    • OFEV (nintedanib) Used to Treat IPF
    • Pulmonary Rehab for IPF Patients
    • Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • Oxygen Used to Treat IPF
    • Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF & Leg Swelling
    • Pulmonary Hypertension and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    • IPF Exacerbation

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