*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Coughing Up Blood

Causes of coughing up blood

Common causes of coughing up blood include:

a long-lasting or severe cough
a lung or airway infection like a chest infection, pneumonia, tuberculosis or bronchitis
a problem with your airways that causes them to widen and produce more mucus (bronchiectasis)

Sometimes coughing up blood can be a sign of something more serious like a blood clot or lung cancer.

It's important to get it checked out as soon as possible.

you've coughed up a few small spots, flecks or streaks of blood, or noticed blood in your phlegm or handkerchief

you're coughing up more than just a few spots or streaks of blood
you're coughing up blood and finding it hard to breathe, have a very fast heartbeat or have pain in your chest or upper back

These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious problem like a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.