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Hi, For The Last 4 Or 5 Days, I Have

Posted on Sun, 31 Mar 2019

Question: Hi,
For the last 4 or 5 days, I have had a pretty severe cough. Feels very clogged and scratchy in my throat around the XXXXXXX apple. Cough is pretty unproductive so I have to really force the cough to try and clear. A couple of times over the last 2 days, I've notice a drop or two of blood in the sputum. Not every time when I can cough up the sputum, but I've noticed a drop or two of blood maybe 3 or 4 times in the last 2 days.
How concerning is this. I am a hypochondriac and worry about lung cancer or esophageal.
Had a lung xray maybe 18 months ago that was clear. Should I be worried.
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:

CT scan of chest

Detailed Answer:

Hi

As you are having unproductive cough and have noticed blood in sputum would advise you to under go further testing such as sputum for culture sensitivity and CT scan of chest

If any space occupying lesion found in chest scan then biopsy has to be done to rule out lung cancer

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (6 hours later)

Is it possible through the act of forced and aggressive coughing that I irritated my throat enough to cause some minor bleeding?

Answered by Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

CT scan chest is a must

Detailed Answer:

Hi

Yes it so possible aggressive coughing that you irritated your throat to cause minor bleeding

But to be on the safe side CT scan chest is a must

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D