What should you know about blood vomiting due to lungs?

Blood from the lungs is more often brought up with coughing, mixed with mucus, and may look bright red or frothy. Blood from the upper digestive tract can appear with retching or vomiting and may be red, dark, or resemble coffee grounds. A swallowed nosebleed or bleeding from the mouth can also be vomited later. Lung conditions, severe coughing, irritation, infection, or a clot can cause blood from the airways; the appearance alone cannot diagnose the cause.

Stop eating and drinking until a clinician advises otherwise, sit upright, and keep any material you bring up for inspection if this is practical. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or another medicine that can increase bleeding unless a clinician has specifically told you to use it. Note whether the blood followed coughing or retching, its colour, and any breathlessness, chest pain, fever, or dizziness.

Seek emergency care now for any vomiting or coughing of blood, especially with trouble breathing, chest pain, faintness, confusion, cold clammy skin, severe weakness, or ongoing bleeding. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or breathless; call emergency services and take a list of medicines and known lung conditions.

Ask whether the blood appears to be from the lungs or digestive tract, which tests may locate the source, whether medicines need changing, and what symptoms should trigger immediate return.