The coughing up of blood or blood-tinged sputum from the respiratory tract, typically originating from the lungs or bronchial tubes. It can range from minor streaking to massive bleeding and may indicate serious underlying lung disease.
From Greek 'haima' meaning 'blood' and 'ptysis' meaning 'spitting.' The term literally describes the act of spitting or coughing up blood from the respiratory system.
Hemoptysis is one of those symptoms that immediately gets medical attention because it can signal anything from a minor infection to lung cancer or tuberculosis! Doctors are trained to distinguish it from hematemesis (vomiting blood) - hemoptysis is typically bright red and frothy, while blood from the stomach is darker and mixed with food.
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