Blood coming out mouth

18 Possible Causes, Treatment, and Diagnosis

Blood in your mouth is often a result of trauma to your mouth or throat, such as chewing or swallowing something sharp. It could also be caused by mouth sores, gum disease, or even vigorous flossing and brushing of your teeth.

If you’re coughing up blood, it might appear that your throat is bleeding. However, it’s far more likely that the blood is originating elsewhere in your respiratory tract or in your digestive tract.

Keep reading to learn why you might find blood in your throat, and when to see a doctor.

Blood in your throat may be caused by infection, anticoagulant medications, certain health conditions, or trauma to the mouth, throat or chest area. Here’s a summary of possible causes:

Injury or trauma to the mouth, throat, or chest could result in blood in your mouth or sputum.

Mouth or throat injury

An injury to your mouth or throat might happen if you bite on something hard, or if you take a hard blow to the mouth or throat area (such as in sports, a car accident, a physical assault, or a fall).

Blood in your mouth could also be caused by mouth sores, mouth ulcers, gum disease, bleeding gums, or aggressive tooth brushing/flossing.

Chest injury

A blow to the chest can cause a bruised lung (pulmonary contusion). One of the symptoms of a severe blow to the chest area can be coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus.

Infections occur when a foreign organism — such as bacteria or viruses — enters your body and causes harm. Some infections can cause you to cough up blood-tinged saliva or mucus, these include:

• Bronchiectasis. When chronic infection or inflammation causes the walls of your bronchi (airways) thicken and accumulate mucus, you have bronchiectasis. A symptom of bronchiectasis includes coughing up blood or mucus mixed with blood.
• Bronchitis. Your bronchial tubes carry air to and from your lungs.Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes. If your bronchitis is chronic (a constant inflammation or irritation), you might develop a cough that produces sputum streaked with blood.
• Pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia, a lung infection, include a cough that produces yellow, green, or bloody sputum, rapid and shallow breathing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and nausea.
• Severe or prolonged cough. When a cough lasts longer than 8 weeks, it’s considered a chronic cough. A chronic cough can irritate the upper respiratory tract and tear the blood vessels resulting in coughing up blood or bloody mucus. A chronic cough could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as asthma, postnasal drip, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Tonsillitis. Although tonsillitis, an inflammation of your tonsils, can be a bacterial infection, viruses are the most common cause. In rare instances, tonsillitis can cause bleeding. If your doctor recommends a tonsillectomy (removal of your tonsils), there might be some post-operative bleeding.
• Tuberculosis. Caused by a bacteria, tuberculosis can cause symptoms such as a severe and persistent cough, coughing up blood or bloody sputum, weakness, chest pain, loss of appetite, chills, and fever.

See a doctor if you’re coughing up blood

Unexplained coughing up of blood should not be taken lightly. Make an appointment with a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

Prescription medications that prevent blood from clotting (called anticoagulants) can have side effects such as coughing up blood.

Other side effects of anticoagulants can be blood in your urine, nosebleeds that do not stop quickly, and vomiting blood. These medications include:

• apixaban (Eliquis)
• edoxaban (Savaysa)
• dabigatran (Pradaxa)
• rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

According to the Mayo Clinic, using cocaine can also result in coughing up blood.

Certain conditions are characterized by coughing and, sometimes, blood appearing in the throat or sputum, including:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a group of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, frequent respiratory infections, wheezing, and an ongoing cough that produces a lot of yellowish phlegm.
• Cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that severely impacts the respiratory tract. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, frequent chest colds, frequent sinus infections, and a persistent cough with thick mucus.
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This rare disorder previously called Wegener’s granulomatosis can be fatal without treatment. Symptoms include coughing (sometimes with bloody sputum), pus-like drainage from your nose, sinus infections, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, fatigue, joint pain, and fever.
• Lung cancer. Common symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood or bloody sputum, shortness of breath, fatigue, hoarseness, loss of appetite, and persistent infections.
• Mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve stenosis is a narrowing of the heart’s mitral valve. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, and coughing up blood.
• Pulmonary edema. Caused by excess fluid in the lungs, pulmonary edema is a medical emergency typically caused by heart problems. Symptoms include frothy sputum with blood, severe shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
• Pulmonary embolism. Typically caused by a blood clot, a pulmonary embolism is a blockage in a pulmonary artery in your lungs. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and a cough that produces blood or bloody mucus.

If you’re coughing up blood, your doctor must quickly determine where the blood is coming from and why. First, they’ll identify the site of the bleeding and then establish why you’re coughing up blood.

If there’s blood in your mucus or sputum when you cough, the blood is mostly likely coming from your respiratory tract. The medical term for this is hemoptysis. If the blood is coming from your digestive tract, it’s called hematemesis.

Doctors can often determine the location of the bleeding by the color and texture of the blood:

• Hemoptysis. The blood is typically bright red and frothy. Sometimes it is mixed with mucus.
• Hematemesis. The blood is usually dark. Sometimes it’s mixed with traces of food.

If you’re coughing up blood, your treatment will depend on the underlying condition causing it, such as:

• cough suppressants for a prolonged cough
• surgery to treat a blood clot or tumor
• antibiotics for infections like bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis
• steroids to treat an inflammatory condition behind the bleeding
• antivirals to reduce the severity or duration of a viral infection
• chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat lung cancer

If you’re coughing up large amounts of blood, before addressing the underlying cause, treatment will focus on stopping the bleeding and preventing blood and other material from getting into your lungs (aspiration).

Once these symptoms are stabilized, the underlying cause of the blood being coughed up will be treated.

Unexplained coughing up of blood should not be taken lightly. Make an appointment with a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.

It’s especially important to see a doctor if blood in your sputum is accompanied by:

• a loss of appetite
• unexplained weight loss
• blood in your urine or stool

Seek emergency medical attention if:

• your cough produces more than a teaspoon of blood
• the blood is dark and appears with pieces of food
• you also experience chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness (even if you’re only coughing up trace amounts of blood)

If you don’t already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

If you cough up blood, your first thought might be that your throat is bleeding. However, there’s a large possibility that the blood is originating elsewhere in your respiratory or digestive tract.

Occasional, small amounts of blood in your saliva is usually not a cause for great concern. If you have a medical history of respiratory problems, if you smoke, or if the frequency or amount of blood increases, you should see a doctor.

What Causes Bleeding from the Mouth

Throat bleeding can result from minor health problems, such as a scratch or brushing your teeth too harshly. However, it could be a severe illness that requires immediate medical attention. Spitting blood from your mouth implies bleeding originating from your digestive tract or in the respiratory system. This may lead to vomiting if your throat bleeding is from a gastrointestinal source or harsh coughing if a respiratory source causes it. 

The amount of blood produced from your mouth varies depending on the source of the bleeding. Failure to address spitting blood can become life-threatening due to loss of blood. Continue reading to learn what causes bleeding from the mouth and when to seek a medical professional.  

Spitting blood is not the only symptom or complication that could arise; they vary depending on the underlying infections, medication, health factors, or trauma severity. The symptoms are also determined by if the throat bleeding is due to your digestive tract, respiratory source, or another bodily system. 

• Abdominal Pain, Cramping, Swelling, or Bloating
• Bloody Stool
• Diarrhea
• Rectal Bleeding
• Vomiting Blood

• Neck Swelling
• Choking
• Harsh Coughing
• Trouble Breathing or Swallowing
• Change in Color of Neck or Throat 

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Pale Skin
• Weakness

When asking what causes bleeding from the mouth, there are several things to note. Bleeding from the mouth could occur from infection, anticoagulant medications, underlying health issues, or untreated injuries caused by trauma to the mouth, throat, or chest. 

This happens when bacteria and viruses have entered and harmed your body. Infections could lead to your cough having a bloody substance mixed with your saliva or mucus, which include: 

• Bronchitis 
• Pneumonia
• Chronic Cough
• Tonsillitis
• Tuberculosis 

Treatment: The type of infection determines the specific treatment, but doctors usually recommend drinking lots of fluid, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or getting plenty of hours of sleep.

These medications are typically known as blood thinners; they prevent blood clots. However, they have several side effects like urine in blood, nosebleeds, vomiting, and spitting blood. The anticoagulant medications that cause this are:

• Eliquis (apixaban)
• Savaysa (edoxaban)
• Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
• Coumadin (warfarin)
• Pradaxa (dabigatran)

Treatment: Contact your health provider and inform them of your side effects. They can prescribe you a different medication or get you on an over-the-counter styptic (anti-bleeding) powder that effectively stops bleeding in patients on blood thinners.

People with health conditions listed below should contact their doctor immediately if they are spitting blood as there is a high possibility of it being serious or life-threatening:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Lung Cancer
• Mitral Valve Stenosis
• Pulmonary Edema
• Pulmonary Embolism 

Treatment: You need to be immediately evaluated, so a health practitioner can take the proper steps to prescribe the correct medications or choose the treatment best suited for you. Lung cancer is usually the only health issue that will need surgery or chemotherapy due to throat bleeding. 

Throat bleeding is a common symptom for trauma or injuries caused in these areas; they range from minor damage biting down on your cheek to severe trauma such as a car accident or gum disease. 

• Gum Disease
• Mouth Sores
• Blow to Chest
• Mouth Tissue Injury 

Treatment: If your mouth is dealing with a minor injury (scratch, soreness, etc.), take over-the-counter pain relief medication, consume liquids and soft foods. However, anyone who has sustained a blow to the chest and is coughing up blood should receive urgent care.

On the other hand, if you’re struggling with gum disease, treatment consists of dental work. They will professionally clean the pockets around teeth to prevent damage to the surrounding bone.  

Once health professionals find the underlying reason, you must follow what your medical practitioner is advising. They specifically design a wellness plan that is best suited for you and reduces the risk of potential complications, including:

• Anemia
• Blood Transfusion
• State of Shock
• Spread of Cancer & Infection

When examining the condition causing mouth bleeding, you should directly go to a dental professional to get dental work done if you realize it is a gum or tooth health-related problem. However, a visit to the doctor is advised in the following instances:

• Swelling or Choking
• Trouble breathing 
• The bleeding lasts more than a day
• Darkening of the skin over neck or throat
• There are noticeable signs of bleeding in your throat or neck 

Spitting blood is not something to take lightly. There is a huge possibility that what causes bleeding from the mouth is due to problems in your digestive or respiratory tract. Small amounts of blood or tooth-related issues can be solved with dental work procedures performed by a dentist. However, if you have a life-threatening medical history or are displaying severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

Bleeding and bruising in children with cancer

Some cancers and treatments can cause bleeding, bruising, and small purple or red dots on the patient's skin. These symptoms may indicate a drop in platelet levels in the blood. Platelets are involved in the formation of blood clots and stop or slow down bleeding.

A decrease in the level of platelets in the blood is called thrombocytopenia. A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 300,000.

If your child has bleeding, unusual bruising, or small purple or red rashes, tell your doctor. These spots are called petechiae.

Sometimes a low platelet count can lead to more severe symptoms:

• Bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes
• Bleeding from mouth, nose or vomiting
• Bleeding from the vagina other than during menstruation
• More heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstruation
• Red or pink urine
• Black or bloody stools
• Severe headaches
• Visual impairment
• Feeling of confusion or drowsiness

Family members should report these symptoms to a doctor or nurse.

Diagnosis of bleeding and bruising

Physicians must first determine the cause of the bleeding. For this you can use:

• Medical examination and medical history - the doctor will check for signs of bleeding and palpate the abdomen to see if the spleen is enlarged.
• General clinical blood test (OKAK)
• Blood clotting test - these tests are also called a coagulogram. They involve the determination of blood proteins that are responsible for the clotting process.

To determine the cause of thrombocytopenia, doctors may do a bone marrow aspiration.

Treatment of thrombocytopenia

Serious cases of thrombocytopenia may require:

• Addressing the underlying cause—for example, if low platelets are a side effect of a drug, stopping the drug may solve the problem.
• Transfusion - in transfusion, the lack of platelets is compensated by new cells. These donor platelets are administered to the patient through a central venous access device or intravenous catheter.

Measures to prevent bleeding and bruising in children with cancer

The patient and family members can take measures to prevent bleeding and bruising:

• Avoid taking certain drugs and herbal remedies. Many over-the-counter medicines contain aspirin or ibuprofen, which increase the risk of bleeding. Certain herbal preparations also affect blood clotting. Your doctor will most likely give you a list of medicinal and herbal remedies that are contraindicated for you. If not, ask for such a list yourself.
• Gently brush your teeth with a very soft toothbrush.
• Wear shoes, even indoors.
• Be very careful when handling sharp objects. Older patients should use an electric razor instead of a regular razor when shaving.
• Use lotion and lip balm to prevent dry skin and chapped lips.
• Avoid physical activity that may cause bruising or injury.
• Do not take body temperature rectally.
• Do not touch scabs or pimples.
• Girls should use pads, not tampons, during their periods.

Home Care Tips

The following are home care tips for bleeding or bruising:

• Bleeding gums - Rinse your mouth with ice or cold water.
• Bleeding from the nose - sit the child upright, press on the nostrils from the outside just below the top of the bridge of the nose. Grab this area with your thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze for 5-10 minutes.
• Other bleeding - Gently apply pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
• Hematomas - apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes.

If bleeding does not stop after 5-10 minutes, notify your doctor.

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Modified September 2018

why there is bleeding and what to do

Why does the mouth bleed and can it be a sign of a serious illness? How to understand: the blood from the mouth of a person appeared as a result of an accident or is it evidence of the presence of a pathology? Are your gums just bleeding, or is it time for a complete medical examination? We will answer all these questions in our article.

Bleeding of any nature is the result of vascular damage. In some cases, this is only a fleeting nuisance, in others it is a “beacon” signaling an injury or illness. Although the appearance of blood from the mouth, the causes of which are difficult to determine immediately, is frightening, sometimes this phenomenon is predictable. For example, in the case of tooth extraction, cheek bite, gum cut. If the discharge is profuse, it is worth going to the doctor for an examination and taking tests. This symptom often indicates the presence of diseases.

Does your mouth bleed? The reason may lie in the following diseases:

• tuberculosis, cancer or pathology of the lungs;
• stomach ulcer;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• oral oncology;
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome;
• inflammation of the tonsils;
• gastrointestinal bleeding.

Fortunately, patients are more likely to encounter simpler situations. Their gums usually bleed when brushing their teeth or after having them removed. It's much easier to deal with this. The dentist and our simple recommendations will help you.

Bleeding gums: what is the reason

Why do gums bleed when brushing teeth and what to do in such a situation? The main thing is not to worry. It happens that the bristles of the brush that you prefer are too hard. It is enough to change it to a softer one, and the problem will disappear. Often bleeding becomes a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis. Diseases of an inflammatory nature increase sensitivity and injure the soft tissues of the mucosa. If the gums bleed heavily when brushing, it means that they can hardly withstand external influences and the body needs help.

The cause of blood in the mouth can also be the formation of dental deposits: from plaque to stones. Accumulating bacteria weaken the immune system and provoke tissue inflammation. Tartar can cause periodontitis, as harmful particles remain not only above the gum, but also under it. It is extremely difficult to remove such deposits, and only a doctor can do this. Contrary to the beliefs of many, antiseptic rinses do not help in such situations. They relieve some symptoms, but do not relieve inflammation.

If the gums bleed after tooth extraction, it means that the healing process is underway. During this period, the main thing is to exclude contact with irritants so as not to damage the tissues and not cause suppuration. But what to do when the gums are constantly bleeding? Perhaps this is a sign of chronic inflammation and it is worth getting a dental examination. A similar symptom accompanies catarrhal gingivitis and generalized periodontitis, but can become a manifestation of beriberi or low immunity. Such "beacons" from the body are able to appear and disappear again.

An unpleasant phenomenon can also result from dry mouth, xerostomia, toothpick abuse, and dental floss. Do gums bleed during pregnancy? This happens due to hormonal changes. About 50% of pregnant women experience symptoms of gingivitis. For some, they turn out to be random, but similar to the signs of the disease, while others are recommended to undergo dental treatment to restore oral health.

Getting rid of blood from the mouth: what to do and how to treat mucosal bleeding

Bleeding gums: what to do, how to treat, how to rinse? How to deal with uncomfortable symptoms? First of all, you will have to carry out a professional cleaning of the oral cavity to remove soft plaque and tartar. Anti-inflammatory therapy will then be needed to repair the soft tissues. Let us dwell in more detail on the methods that will help get rid of bleeding of the mucosa:

• ultrasonic cleaning is carried out in several stages. At the first appointment, deposits are removed, at the second, their remnants are removed and the teeth are polished;
• anti-inflammatory therapy lasts about a week in the diagnosis of gingivitis and about 10 days in periodontitis. You will be prescribed rinses, lotions from special gels. In some cases, antibiotic therapy will be required;
• together with the dentist, the patient selects new pastes with a therapeutic effect. They include antiseptic and anti-inflammatory substances that help remove bleeding gums;
• it is also recommended to replace the brush with a suitable one, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body;
The
• Oral Hygiene course is essential for patients with increased plaque formation or poor dental health. It is also worth going through for prevention in order to avoid diseases and troubles that entail problems in the oral cavity;
• taking vitamins will help strengthen the immune system and use the additional amount of nutrients.

All the described activities contribute to bringing the soft tissues of the mucosa into a healthy state and ensure a comfortable state of health and a beautiful smile.

Summing up, let's remind you what to do when the gum hurts and bleeds. Try not to panic and remember how long ago you were at the dentist. If you have had a filling or other manipulations in the past few days, it may be normal for you to experience bleeding and sore gums. It is enough to call your doctor and clarify how much the gum bleeds after a tooth is removed or a filling is installed. The specialist will answer this question taking into account your specific case.

If no intervention has been performed and the gums bleed, the dentist you contact for help will describe the causes and treatment. Try not to delay the diagnosis with a doctor so as not to aggravate your health condition and cope with any disease in time. Be healthy and take care of yourself!

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