Coughing up blood, medically known as hemoptysis, means that blood or bloody mucus is coming up from the lungs or respiratory tract. This can appear as bright red or rust-colored blood, sometimes mixed with mucus or sputum. It usually indicates that there is bleeding somewhere in the respiratory system, which can be caused by a range of conditions from mild throat irritation to serious illnesses like lung infections, cancer, or blood clots in the lungs. The seriousness varies widely depending on the cause and amount of blood. If the blood is significant, or associated with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fever, urgent medical attention is recommended.

What it Means

• It is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat.
• It can signal anything from throat irritation due to coughing, infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, to serious conditions like lung cancer or a pulmonary embolism.
• The blood may be bright red and bubbly (mixed with air and mucus) or rust-colored.

Causes

• Mild causes: Respiratory infections, asthma, bronchitis, and prolonged coughing.
• Serious causes: Lung cancer, tuberculosis, blood clots in the lungs, severe lung infections, injury to lung arteries.
• Sometimes it follows medical procedures like bronchoscopy or biopsy.

When to Seek Medical Help

• If coughing up large amounts of blood or for the first time.
• If accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, fever, or difficulty breathing.
• If blood is seen in urine or stool along with coughing blood.
• If there is a history of injury to the chest.

Coughing up blood is never something to ignore and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the cause and necessary treatment.