Are you worried about your Coughing Up Blood?
One of the most common causes of coughing up blood is down to persistent coughing, possibly caused by bronchitis, an infection of the airways of the lungs. Other symptoms to look out for with bronchitis include fever, and yellow/green phlegm. This condition can be acute or chronic, meaning it can last for just a few weeks, or persist long term.
Other possible causes include pneumonia, and nosebleeds. If you are concerned about your symptoms, contact your local health professional for peace of mind.
If you are coughing up blood you should get it checked out by a doctor, even if it is a small amount. The only exceptions are if the blood present can be attributed to a recent nosebleed that has made its way back down the oesophagus and is being expelled whilst you cough, or a small lesion in the mouth that does not require further treatment.
If you start to cough up blood and cannot attribute it to any small lesions or a nosebleed, you should seek medical assistance.
If you’ve coughed up a small amount, even just a few spots, consider booking an appointment with your GP for a full diagnosis.
You should seek urgent medical assistance if:
- You are coughing up more than just a few spots of blood
- You have difficulty breathing
- Your heartbeat is unusually fast
- You have pain in your chest, or upper back
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Drug use
- Foreign body
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer
- Mitral valve stenosis
- Parasitic infection
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Trauma to the chest
- Tuberculosis
Is coughing up blood with mucus normal?
Coughing up blood can be a result of long lasting cold or cough, chest infections, problems with your airways. In more serious cases, it can be a sign of lung cancer or blood clots which need to be checked immediately. Lifestyle habits such as smoking and age play a factor in coughing up blood.
If you are coughing up spots or flecks of blood or notice blood in phlegm you should seek medical attention from a GP who will be able to find the root cause and may refer you for further testing.