if ure a serious drinker, could be liver damage... but here are the few reasons behind (one of em can be the source)
Common Causes Return to top
* Pulmonary infection (bacterial or viral infection in the lung or airway)
o Bronchitis
o Bronchiectasis
o Laryngitis
o Pneumonia
* Lung cancer (see metastatic lung cancer)
* Irritation of the throat from violent coughing
* Pulmonary embolus
* Cystic fibrosis
* Pulmonary aspiration (inhaling blood into the lungs)
o From bleeding gums, such as with gingivitis
o Nosebleed (epistaxis)
o Tonsillectomy
* Diagnostic tests, such as bronchoscopy, upper airway biopsy, laryngoscopy, lung biopsy, mediastinoscopy, or spirometry
* Tuberculosis (TB)
* Pulmonary edema
* Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
* Goodpasture's syndrome
* Wegener's granulomatosis