What Do Coughing Up Of Mucus And Blood In An Elderly Person Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 13 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 May 2016 Answered on

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, My mother is 80 years old and was a smoker ever sense she was 13 years old. She stopped smoked for five years. She frequently coughs up mucus with blood twice a every 1 1/2 months. she was X-Rayed twice: 3 years ago and 1 year ago in the lungs. The conclusion was that she had scaring in one of her lobes in the lungs and was decided to cause the problem. She was checked for pneumonia we were told there were no signs. 1 year ago she coughed up blood and the conclusion was the scaring of lung tissue was the cause. She is taking Hydrazaline, Ampilodipine, Lisinopril, Clorpidogrel, and Atorvastin for approx. 3 years. What can stop this or Is there another possible cause ie: side effects or are there other tests available? XXXX

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Supportive care , lung disease

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Age of 80 with history of smoking and scarring of lungs with restrictive and obstructive lung disease patterns, i am afraid your doctors have the right diagnosis and needs to be continued with supportive care and oxygen replenishment, antibiotics , mucolytics, nebulization and chest physiotherapy etc. Use of lisinopril may also worsen the cough and chest symptoms and should be replaced with some other anti hypertensive.

Talk to her doctor and let them decide what si best for her. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar