HomeWHENWhen I Cough It Tastes Like Blood

When I Cough It Tastes Like Blood

The following conditions may cause a person to have a metallic taste when coughing:

Gum disease

Gum, or periodontal, disease is an infection of the gum tissues in the mouth.

A buildup of bacteria in the mouth can cause gum disease. Keeping good oral hygiene is usually enough to prevent a buildup of bacteria. Smoking is another possible cause of gum disease.

Some other symptoms of gum disease include:

  • bad breath
  • swollen and sore gums
  • bleeding gums
  • difficulty chewing
  • sensitive teeth

In more severe cases, it can cause the gums to recede and the teeth to loosen or fall out.

Learn more about gum disease here.

A cold

A cold, also known as a respiratory tract infection, results from an infection in the nose, throat, and lungs. Rhinovirus infections cause colds and can spread easily to others.

Most people with a cold experience mild symptoms that include a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and a cough. Some people also experience a fever.

A cold can affect sense of smell, which then affects the sense of taste, potentially causing a metallic taste in the mouth.

A respiratory tract infection can also lead to blood in sputum, which may have a metallic taste.

Refer to more articles:  Where Do Turkeys Go When It Rains

Learn more about colds here.

Sinus infection

Sinus infections can cause a loss of smell, which can cause a lack of flavor to food and a metallic taste in the mouth.

The sinuses are empty spaces behind the cheeks and forehead that connect to the nose. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, can cause inflammation in the sinuses. This inflammation produces a range of symptoms.

Other symptoms of sinus infections include:

  • a green, runny substance coming from the nose
  • a stuffy nose
  • a cough
  • tiredness
  • a fever
  • a sore throat
  • bad breath
  • teeth pain
  • headaches

Sinus infections are different from rhinitis, which only affects the nasal passages.

Learn more about sinus infections here.

Certain types of medication

Some medications can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. For example, antibiotics and lithium both have this side effect.

If medication side effects are affecting day-to-day life or making it difficult to eat and drink, a person can see their doctor. It is essential not to stop taking these medications without talking to a doctor first.

Indigestion

Indigestion refers to a group of symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal system, including the airways, stomach, and intestines. Indigestion can cause:

  • stomach pain
  • uncomfortable fullness after a meal
  • fullness too soon after a meal

Indigestion is not a disease. Some health conditions can cause indigestion, such as gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome. Indigestion can also be a symptom of GERD.

In other cases, foods, drinks, or stress can cause indigestion.

Learn more about indigestion here.

Cancer treatments

Cancer treatments can affect how the senses function and change the normal flow of saliva. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can produce a metallic taste in the mouth.

Refer to more articles:  When Can Babies Have Lunch Meat

Around 80% of people receiving cancer treatment experience changes in the taste of food. Specifically, cancer treatments can cause some foods — such as salty, bitter, or sweet foods — to taste unpleasant.

Meat, in particular, may taste metallic, while other foods might taste more bland than usual.

Pregnancy

Some pregnant women experience a metallic taste in the mouth due to dysgeusia, a distortion of a person’s sense of taste.

People with dysgeusia experience changes in their sense of taste. The taste tends to be salty, rancid, or metallic. Sometimes, foods might lack any taste at all.

Pregnancy hormones can cause dysgeusia. Dysgeusia is most common in the first trimester, and taste will usually return to normal in the second trimester.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular

Recent Comments