

Where a specific cause is found, the most common causes include: The most common reason for coughing up blood is a chest infection. Common causes of coughing up bloodĭon't diagnose yourself - always leave that to a doctor. This is where the main air passages of your lungs are examined using a tube with a camera at one end. In some cases, further tests may be required to find out where the blood is coming from.įor example, you may have a test called a bronchoscopy. more detailed scan, such as a computerised tomography (CT) scan.Your GP may decide to refer you to a specialist at your local hospital. Other tests, such as blood tests, may also be needed. You may be asked for a sample of your sputum so it can be checked for infection. Your GP will be able to assess whether you may have a serious medical condition that needs to be investigated and treated.Ĭall GP out of hours service if you can't see your GP.Ĭall 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest emergency department immediately if you're coughing up significant amounts of blood or are struggling to breathe. there's also blood in your urine or blood in your stools.you have a loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.you also have chest pain, dizziness, fever, light-headedness or worsening shortness of breath.you cough up more than a few teaspoons of blood.It's particularly important to see your GP if: See your GP as soon as possible if you cough up blood. You should go to hospital straight away if you are vomiting blood. If the blood is dark and contains bits of food or what looks like coffee grounds, it may be coming from your digestive system. In about five per cent of people (who cough up blood for the first time) the bleeding will be severe. Mostly, if you cough up blood, the bleeding will stop on its own. It’s often the result of coughing for long periods or a chest infection. frothy blood-streaked sputum – sputum is saliva (liquid produced in your mouth) and phlegm (a thick liquid produced, especially when a person has a cold).If you are coughing up blood, you may cough up: In up to one in five cases investigated, no cause is found for coughing up blood. You should see your GP as soon as possible if you cough up blood. It's more likely to be a cause for concern the older you are, particularly if you smoke. Coughing up blood can be alarming, but isn't necessarily a sign of a serious problem.
