Mucus And Blood In Stool With Abdominal Pain: 6 Causes Explained
Our content is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice by your doctor. Use for informational purposes only.
Common causes of abdominal pain, with blood and mucus in the stool are:
- Dysentery: the most common cause of acute abdominal pain with blood and mucus in stool.
- Inflammatory bowel disease .
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Yellow Or Green Phlegm
When youre feeling awful from a cold or the flu, your phlegm might be a gross color, too. If you start coughing up phlegm that looks yellow or green, its a sign your body is fighting an infection.
When youre sick, your body will produce white blood cells to attack the infection. These cells can secrete a green-colored enzyme that thickens your phlegm and makes it look yellow or green, Kalodner says. This doesnt mean your phlegm will be bright green or yellow every time youre sick. The change in color and texture depends on severity and duration of the infection.
If you do have an infection, youll most likely notice other symptoms like a fever, congestion and pressure in your face.
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Why Is There Blood In My Mucus
If you feel unwell and are struggling with a respiratory illness, you may cough up red mucus. Red phlegm or mucus is a sign that blood has been mixed in with your sputum.
This is a common occurrence in many mild respiratory illnesses including upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis or asthma. It can be alarming to see blood in your mucus, especially if there is a lot of it. In most cases, a small amount of blood in your mucus is nothing to worry about. Coughing up or vomiting large amounts of blood can be a sign that you have a more serious health condition that needs medical attention.
In this article, Ill help you understand where the blood in your mucus might be coming from, and what could have caused it. Ill tell you how its treated, and when you should see a medical professional about blood in your mucus.
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What Causes Mucus With Blood In The Nose
Nasal mucus is supposed to be clear, but it can take on a few different shades depending on what its exposed to.
Mucus exists to moisten your nasal passages and trap dust, dirt, and bacteria. If your mucus is green or yellow, it could indicate that you have an infection. If its red, it likely signifies the presence of blood.
Its normal to feel a little alarmed by the presence of blood in your mucus, but the reality is that most causes are completely innocuous and minor nosebleeds like this are rarely serious. In fact, you likely have more to worry about if your mucus is yellow or green, as it means you could have an infection.
Nosebleeds occur when the small blood vessels in the nose become damaged. They are very delicate and it doesnt take much for them to rupture.
Broken blood vessels can produce varying amounts of blood depending on the extent of the damage and the location. You might have a full nosebleed you might just lose a few drops that become trapped in your mucus.
The blood vessels in your nose can become damaged as a result of nose blowing, nose picking, exposure to dry air, repeated rubbing, and trauma.
If there are streaks of blood in one nostril, theres usually nothing to worry about. Just refrain from picking your nose, dont blow too hard, and if your nasal cavity is very dry and irritated, apply some petroleum jelly or use a saline spray.
Massive Hemoptysis And Mortality
Although there are reports that the fatality rate is as high as 80%, the in-hospital mortality rate for hospitalized hemoptysis patients is 2669/28539=9.4%, calculated from the data in the article by Kinoshita et al. This is probably the most reasonable figure considering the overwhelming number of cases.
The general definition of massive hemoptysis is more than 200 ml within 24 hours, but there is a wide range in the literature . Considering that the total volume of the tracheal and bronchial lumen is about 150 cc, it may be reasonable to define massive hemoptysis as 200 ml, which is a little more than 150 ml, in terms of setting the threshold for fatal hemoptysis. More than 400ml/day is not adequate for screening purposes.
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Question: Why Does My Puppy Have Blood And Mucus In Her Stool
My new puppy Too Too has had blood and mucus in her stool, not all the time but its happened twice now. Shes still playful and has an appetite and drinks water. I thought worms might be the problem. Sometimes it sounds like her stomach is upset but I dont have a lot of money and Id really like an opinion of the seriousness of this issue before I take her to the vet and end up spending a whole lot of money. If you know what might be wrong with my puppy please help us!
Ashley
What Should I Do If I Am Coughing Up Blood
Coughing up blood can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Seek emergency care if youre coughing up large quantities of blood.
If you’re coughing up small amounts of blood for longer than a week, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Theyll determine whats causing your hemoptysis and get you the necessary treatment.
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When To See A Doctor
In most of the cases, acute bronchitis is the cause of coughing up bloody mucus and it usually gets better without any treatment. The person should pay attention till the condition improves. However, it can also be a symptom of some serious medical condition and the doctor should be consulted immediately if any of the following symptoms are seen:
1. You have bloody mucus for more than a week, the intensity or severity of it increases or it occurs intermittently.
2. You see blood in the urine or stools as well.
3. You have chest pain and/or fever of 101 °F or higher.
4. There is unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite.
5. You experience shortness of breath even with regular activity.
6. You have soaking sweats at night.
Treatment for such conditions is usually done at the hospital till the causative factor is determined and there is no immediate threat of serious bleeding.
Hemoptysis Or Something Else
It is important to make a distinction between coughing up blood from the respiratory tract and from other parts of the body. For example:
- Pseudohemoptysis is the coughing up of blood not from the lungs.
- Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood from the digestive tract.
Each is treated differently and can be difficult to tell apart. In many cases, only an evaluation from a healthcare provider can pinpoint the source of the bleeding.
Some possible causes of hemoptysis include:
Hemoptysis is the only symptom in only 7% of people diagnosed with lung cancer, and its considered the symptom most specific for the diagnosis.
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How Can You Tell If You Have Haemoptysis
It can be hard to identify where the bleeding is coming from. If it is haemoptysis, it is likely that:
- the sputum is frothy, or looks liquid or clotted
- the blood is bright red or pink
- you also have lung disease
- you do not have nausea or vomiting
If the blood is coming from the gut, you are also likely to feel nauseous or be vomiting. The sputum will look like it contains coffee grounds, and the blood will be brown to black or mixed with food particles.
Depending on the cause of the haemoptysis, you might also have:
Sometimes, doctors cannot find the cause.
When To Go To The Hospital
Coughing up blood can quickly become an emergency. Coughing up more than one teaspoon of blood is considered a medical emergency.
Coughing up 100 cubic centimeters of blood1/3 of a cupis called massive hemoptysis and has a mortality rate of 30% to 50%. Don’t try to drive yourself or have someone else drive you to the hospitalcall 911.
The issue is that coughing up blood can quickly cause airway obstruction and infiltration of the blood into your lungs, leading to suffocation and death.
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Spitting Small Amount Of Blood In The Morning
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Where Is The Blood In My Mucus Coming From
Blood in the sputum typically comes from the lungs, but in some cases, it may also originate in other parts of the body, such as the stomach or digestive tract.
It can be brought on by a range of factors.
- From the lungs : Bright red, frothy blood that may be mixed with mucus is usually caused by persistent coughing or a lung infection.
- From the digestive tract : In less frequent circumstances, blood in the mucus can originate in the stomach or digestive tract. A clear indication of this is if you cough up dark blood that contains traces of food. Blood that comes from your stomach or digestive tract could be a symptom of a more serious health condition that requires medical attention.
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Tests That May Be Needed
You may be asked for a sample of your sputum so it can be checked for infection. Other tests, such as blood tests, may also be needed.
Your GP may decide to refer you to a specialist at your local hospital. Tests that may be carried out include a:
- more detailed scan, such as a computerised tomography scan
In some cases, further tests may be required to find out where the blood is coming from. For example, you may have a test called a bronchoscopy. This is where the main air passages of your lungs are examined using a tube with a camera at one end.
Why Does Mucus Change Color
You must now know that yellow or green mucus is a clear indicator of you having an infection, but the yellow or green tint isnt due to bacteria.
In instances when you have a cold, the immune system sends neutrophils white blood cells forward to that area. The cells have a green color enzyme, and they accumulate and can turn the mucus in same color.
However, there is a possibility that you may have a clear mucus yet suffer from an infection. This is the case if you likely have other symptoms, like congestion, and pressure on your face, or fever overlying the sinuses.
The snot may also have tints of red or brown indicating blood, more so if the nose dries out or gets irritated from excess rubbing, picking or blowing. Most of the blood mucus in the nose is from the area right inside the nostril. It has the most amount of blood vessels. If there is minute blood in your mucus, it is not something to be worried about however, large volumes of it need a doctors assistance.
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How Can I Get Rid Of Mucus
People with chronic sinus problems who are constantly blowing their noses understandably want the goo gone. Over-the-counter antihistamines and are one way to do this. Decongestants cause the blood vessels in the lining of the nose to narrow, reducing blood flow to the area, so you’re less congested and you produce less mucus.
Decongestants are fine for when you can’t breathe due to a cold, but they’re not so good for thick mucus in general. “The reason is the decongestants dry you up and they make the mucus thick, and often the opposite effect happens because you feel like you have thick mucus,” Johns explains. So you take more decongestants and get into a vicious mucus-producing cycle. Decongestants also have side effects, which include dizziness, nervousness, and high blood pressure.
Antihistamines block or limit the action of histamines, those substances triggered by allergic reactions that cause the tissue in the nose to swell up and release more, thinner mucus . The main side effect of older antihistamines is drowsiness. They also can cause dry mouth, dizziness, and headache.
You can also thin out the mucus with guaifenesin, a type of medicine called an expectorant. Thinner mucus is easier to get out of the body. Possible side effects of guaifenesin are dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
When Blood In Mucus Needs Medical Intervention
It is a relevant question you may wonder yourself. When do you need to seek medical advice? The answer is, when you encounter some circumstances, you need immediate medical care. So, the conditions that require proper professional medical assistance are:
- You see a large quantity of blood in the mucus. The alarming amount of blood signifies some severe complication that needs doctors attention.
- When you see the blood in sputum at frequent intervals.
- The blood you cough up appears dark in color. You can also see food particles in the blood. It means you have some severe problems in the digestive tract.
So, you need to see your doctor immediately to avoid further complications. Apart from the above-mentioned scenarios, you need to take note of certain signs that indicate serious problems. Therefore, get a doctors appointment when you see any of the symptoms mentioned below:
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Shortness of Breath
The symptoms mean you need medical treatment as soon as possible. So, get an appointment with your doctor to get the issue sorted out. The professional help can help you detect the actual health problem leading to the blood in mucus.
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Treatments For Coughing Up Blood
Sometimes, coughing up blood only happens once, clears up on its own or stops once an infection has passed.
If an underlying condition is causing you to cough up blood, your GP or consultant will recommend treatment. The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your diagnosis and will take into account your general health and preferences.
How Is Coughing Up Blood Treated
Treatment depends on how serious your blood loss is and whats causing you to cough up blood.
If youre experiencing severe blood loss, youll receive care in the intensive care unit . Your care team will work to stabilize you and stop the bleeding before proceeding to diagnose whats causing your blood loss.
Treatments for severe blood loss related to coughing up blood may include:
- A bronchoscopy to remove clots in your airways that may be causing the bleeding.
- Bronchial artery angiography and embolization to stop blood flow in blood vessels that are causing your bleeding.
- Medicine thats used to stop bleeding related to severe blood loss .
Once they determine whats causing you to cough up blood, your healthcare provider will discuss the best treatment plan to address your symptoms and underlying condition.
Treatments to address conditions that may cause you to cough up blood include:
- Antibiotics: If pneumonia or tuberculosis is causing your condition.
- Steroids: If inflammation is causing your condition.
- Surgery and cancer treatment: If a malignant tumor is causing your condition.
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Is It Ok To Have A Little Blood In Your Mucus
Whether its okay or not is debatable, as it suggests there is a broken blood vessel somewhere and could also hint at a more serious problem. The vast majority of times, though, a little blood in your mucus is normal.
Its especially common in people who pick their noses and blow their noses with force. Its also more common in people suffering from hay fever, nasal congestion, and other sinus issues, as they are more likely to blow, sniff, snort, rub, and generally irritate their noses.
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How Is Haemoptysis Diagnosed
Haemoptysis is managed according to the amount and rate of bleeding. If your condition is life threatening, you may need urgent treatment before any investigations are done.
To find out the cause of coughing up blood, the doctor will ask questions that may include the following:
- How much blood are you coughing up?
- How many times have you coughed up blood?
- How long have you been coughing up blood for?
- What other symptoms do you have?
You will probably be asked about your past and current medication and conditions, and whether you smoke.
Your doctor will check you for any signs of diseases that can cause you to cough up blood. They may take your temperature to check for an infection and look up your nose to make sure the bleeding is not from there.
Depending on your condition, you may need to have a chest x-ray or CT scan to detect any problems. You may also need to have a bronchoscopy, which is a procedure to see the inside of the airways and lungs.
If a blood clot in the lung is suspected, you may need a lung ventilation-perfusion scan, which looks at air flow and blood flow in the lungs.
Other tests that may be done include blood tests and a test to look for infection-causing bacteria in your saliva.
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