A pulmonary hemorrhage is a dangerous medical condition where bleeding occurs along the airway or in the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing for the patient. Treatment involves suction to clear the airway and keep the patient breathing along with supportive care and treatment of the underlying cause. It is usually necessary to receive treatment in a hospital setting and the prognosis varies, depending on the nature of the bleeding and the patient's medical history. It is a medical emergency and needs to be treated quickly to prevent complications like organ damage caused by oxygen deprivation or shock from blood loss.
In patients with pulmonary hemorrhage, warning signs include trickling blood from the mouth or nose, coughing up blood, and shortness of breath. It is most common to see bleeding in the upper airway. Bleeding inside the lungs can decrease gas exchange and make it difficult for the lungs to inflate and deflate properly, by disrupting the surface tension inside the lungs.
Premature infants are at high risk of pulmonary hemorrhage because their lungs are not fully developed. People with bleeding disorders are also at risk, as are people who have recently sustained injuries to the lung, including surgeries involving the lungs or bronchial tubes. A person at risk for pulmonary hemorrhage may already be in the hospital due to underlying medical issues, making it easier to identify and treat bleeding in the airways if it is identified.
For patients with this condition, it can be extremely alarming. People may struggle to breathe and be unable to take in oxygen or incapable of circulating oxygen into the bloodstream due to impaired gas exchange. Emotional distress can lead to hyperventilation, which can make the situation worse for the patient. Keeping patients calm, suctioning out the blood, and identifying the underlying cause so it can be addressed are all critical aspects of treatment. Surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the lungs or airways.
It is possible for patients to experience both pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary edema. In these situations, the lungs fill with fluid and the patient can develop a frothy, bloody discharge from the nose and mouth as a result of the bleeding along the airways and the presence of fluid in and around the lungs. Medical imaging studies can be used to search for buildups of fluid and other problems in the lungs, with the goal of identifying the nature of the problem and providing the appropriate interventions to the patient.