What is Haemoptysis?

Haemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood and Dr Beckles often sees patients who are concerned about the coughing up of blood.

This, of course, is a worrying symptom. It can range from blood-stained sputum to the presence of frank blood without any sputum. There are a long list of causes for this, and Dr Beckles will take a history and examine you fully to ascertain the cause. The causes of this symptom range from benign causes, such as gum or nose bleeding, to infection, systemic problems, such as inflammatory conditions, cardiac causes, drug treatments and malignancy.

In addition to the history, Dr Beckles will examine you and request some bedside, laboratory and imaging tests to ascertain the cause.