Objects breathed in (inhaled) and injury (trauma) For example, a previous severe lung infection, some inherited conditions and some other conditions that can damage part of an airway. There are various underlying causes of bronchiectasis. Occasionally, a large amount of blood can be coughed up. This is typically just small amounts of blood now and then. You may also cough up some blood from the abnormal inflamed airway. The main symptom is a cough which produces a lot of sputum. Extra mucus is made in the abnormal airways, which is prone to infection. These symptoms are explained in the separate leaflet called Lung Cancer.īronchiectasis is an abnormal widening of one or more airways. Various other symptoms usually also develop. However, sometimes unusual types of lung cancer can affect younger non-smoking people. Most lung cancers develop in people over the age of 50, often occurring in smokers. This may even be the first symptom before any other symptoms develop. One of the earliest symptoms of lung cancer can be coughing up blood or bloodstained sputum. Most lung cancers arise from cells which line the bronchi. Tuberculosis (TB) infection of the lung used to be a very common cause of haemoptysis. Often no further tests are needed if the haemoptysis is clearly linked to the infection and then goes. Typically, the haemoptysis goes when the infection clears. Also, other symptoms related to the infection will normally be present such as high temperature (fever) and cough. Typically, the blood is mixed up with spit (sputum). However, infection anywhere in the airways may potentially cause haemoptysis. Infection of the airways (bronchi), called acute bronchitis, and infection of the lung tissue, called pneumonia, are perhaps the most common causes of mild bouts of coughing up blood. Below is a brief overview of the more common and important causes: Infection Find out more What are the causes of coughing up blood?Ĭoughing up blood (haemoptysis) has many possible causes. You may be entitled to a free NHS flu vaccination from your GP or local pharmacist. They are separated by the heart, which lies in between them.Īre you eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination? The two lungs are found in the chest - one on the right side and one on the left side. Sometimes there are no other symptoms at first. The presence and type of other symptoms may help to point to a cause of the bleeding. For example, cough, chest pain, breathlessness, a high temperature (fever), feeling unwell, wheeze or other lung symptoms. Other symptoms may occur at the same time as coughing up blood. As a general rule, the earlier a serious problem is diagnosed, the better the chance that treatment may improve the outlook (prognosis). Coughing up blood is a symptom which may indicate a serious disease. However, if you ever cough up blood and do not know the reason for it, no matter how small the amount of blood, you should see your doctor soon. Sometimes it is a one-off small amount of blood. Sometimes there is a small amount of blood mixed with sputum each time you cough. Often the blood is mixed in with spit (sputum).
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