Spitting blood: what it can be and what to do

There are several causes that may be the cause of the appearance of blood in the saliva or in the phlegm, and other associated symptoms that can help to make a correct diagnosis can manifest.

Treatment depends on the cause of the bleeding:

1. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is characterized by an inflammation of the bronchi, with symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, phlegm that may have blood, noises when breathing, purplish lips and fingertips or swelling of the legs, which may be related to other diseases like infections, asthma or allergies. Learn more about the causes and types of bronchitis.

What to do:

Bronchitis can be treated with medications such as pain killers, expectorants, antibiotics, bronchodilators or corticosteroids, depending on the type of bronchitis and the course of the disease. In some cases, resting and drinking plenty of water may be sufficient. Learn more about the remedies used to treat bronchitis.

2. Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles, which can be caused by recurrent bacterial infections or obstruction of the bronchi by foreign bodies, for example, or genetic defects, such as cystic fibrosis or immobile cilia syndrome.

This disease usually causes symptoms such as coughing with or without blood, shortness of breath, malaise, chest pain, bad breath and tiredness. Learn more about pulmonary bronchiectasis.

What to do:

Bronchiectasis has no cure and treatment consists of improving symptoms and preventing the progression of the disease. The use of antibiotics, mucolytics and expectorants to facilitate the release of mucus or bronchodilators to facilitate breathing may be recommended.

3. Bleeding from the nose

In some cases, when bleeding from the nose occurs, blood may also flow out of the mouth, especially if the person tilts the head back in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Some of the causes that cause nasal bleeding can be lesions in the nose, high blood pressure, presence of a foreign body in the nose, low platelets, deviated nasal septum or sinusitis, for example.

What to do:

The treatment of bleeding in the nose depends on the cause that causes it. See how to treat nosebleeds in each situation.

4. Drug use

The use of drugs, such as cocaine for example, which is inhaled through the nose, irritates the nasal passages and the upper respiratory tract, which can cause bleeding, which can also come out of the mouth, especially if it is used frequently.

What to do:

The ideal is to stop using drugs, as they are a major health threat. The detoxification process can be very difficult and, therefore, there are treatments available with medications and psychological support in rehabilitation clinics, which can facilitate this process.

5. Use of anticoagulants

Anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, rivaroxaban or heparin, for example, act by preventing the formation of blood clots, because they block the action of substances that cause clotting. Thus, it is normal for people who take these medications to bleed more easily or to have more difficulty stopping bleeding.

What to do:

During treatment with anticoagulants, care must be taken to inform the doctor about the side effects that occur, so that, if necessary, he substitutes the medication. Know the care you should take during treatment with anticoagulants.

6. COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory disease that results from inflammation and damage to the lungs and that can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up phlegm with or without blood and breathing difficulties. Learn how to identify COPD.

What to do:

COPD has no cure, but the symptoms can be relieved with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, with the use of drugs such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids or expectorants, for example and with specific physiotherapy for this type of disease.

7. Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism or thrombosis results from the clogging of a blood vessel in the lung, which prevents the passage of blood, causing the progressive death of the affected part, leading to the occurrence of symptoms such as stinging chest pain when breathing, shortness of breath and cough with blood.

What to do:

The treatment of pulmonary embolism must be done urgently, in order to avoid sequelae. It is usually done with anticoagulant medications, which dissolve the clot, pain relievers to relieve chest pain and, if necessary, an oxygen mask to aid breathing and blood oxygenation.

8. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that can be caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, which can cause symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling, bad breath, pain and bleeding when brushing your teeth.

This problem can be caused by poor oral hygiene, consumption of foods with a lot of sugar, diabetes, use of orthodontic appliances or use of cigarettes, for example.

What to do:

The treatment must be done at the dentist, who can remove the dental plaque accumulated in the teeth and apply fluoride, for example. Learn more about the treatment for gingivitis.

9. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation and accumulation of secretions in the sinuses that generates symptoms such as headache and throat, bad breath, loss of smell and taste, runny nose that may come with blood, and a feeling of heaviness in the forehead and cheekbones, because it is in these places that the sinuses are located.

What to do:

Sinusitis can be treated with nasal sprays, anti-flu remedies and antibiotics, if it is a bacterial sinusitis.

In addition, the appearance of blood in saliva can also be caused by lesions in the mouth or head, some forms of cancer, such as leukemia, cancer in the mouth or throat, tuberculosis or aortic stenosis. Know what aortic stenosis is and how the treatment is done.