Why is there blood in the cough despite negative tests?

Question

Hi doctor,

My 35-year-old wife, who weighs 65 kg and measures 160 cm, is coughing up blood monthly once. Her cough is not dry and I noticed that it originates only from the lower throat area. She was diagnosed with gallbladder stones a few years back and they measured around 1.2 cm. She has never complained of stomach pain but she has a sharp pain that starts from the upper back of the body that slowly gives tightness to both the shoulders and chest followed by coughing up of blood. This is difficult to understand or explain to any doctors. But this is what is happening to her. Can you please help?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

As per your wife's history, she is shaving hemoptysis (blood with cough) from lower respiratory tracts. Hemoptysis could be caused due to various conditions like tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, coagulopathy, cardiac-related conditions like valvular disease, and congestive heart failure. I would suggest your wife must immediately go for investigations like x-ray and CBC (complete blood count),

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Please send me all the reports as they will help me to guide your further.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

I have seen all your reports (attachment removed to protect the patient’s identity). The CECT (contrast-enhanced computerized tomography) of the thorax rules out any major pathology from the lung including focal bronchiectasis, and ECG (electrocardiogram) also does not reveal GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). There is no need to worry. Since the blood with cough is coming from the upper respiratory tract, while forceful coughing, it is better to consult an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor to examine the lower pharynx tract for any pathology.

In the meantime, I suggest the following recommendations-

One short course of antibiotics.
Avoid tea, coffee, spicy, and hot foods.

Hope this helps. Thank you.

Answer 4

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are most welcome.