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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Coughing Up Blood A Cause For Concern?

Hi, my roommate just coughed up a little blood. She is 63 years old and in good health, and she hasn't been sick recently. She has diabetes, but is not currently taking medication for this condition due to medical insurance issues. Is this a common thing for older people, or is this something that is more commonly indicative of a serious condition that needs to be assessed as soon as possible?
Sat, 10 Sep 2016
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your friend is having hemoptysis (blood in sputum).
She is also having diabetes.
Hemoptysis is not seen normally. It is commonly seen with lung infection (pneumonia and tuberculosis), lung cancer, bronchitis etc.
And all these are common in diabetes and with old age.
So better to get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out all these causes.
If these reports are normal then no need to worry much.
So better to take her to pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.
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Is Coughing Up Blood A Cause For Concern?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Your friend is having hemoptysis (blood in sputum). She is also having diabetes. Hemoptysis is not seen normally. It is commonly seen with lung infection (pneumonia and tuberculosis), lung cancer, bronchitis etc. And all these are common in diabetes and with old age. So better to get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out all these causes. If these reports are normal then no need to worry much. So better to take her to pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.