Today is Giving Tuesday. Did you find someone to show some love to, by giving without expecting in return? Well, if you didn’t, you’ve still got the rest of….your life! 😀 Let’s make giving a habit, an everyday event that we celebrate 🙂

Now to our question:

Q: Dr Ketch, you are the best. A friend complained to me that anytime she sleeps, she wakes up seeing traces of blood in her saliva. I told her I will ask you. Please what is the cause and solution? Thank You

A: I love you right back, sweetheart 😀

Blood in the saliva when one wakes up in the morning may be due to a serious problem or not.

It could be due to an injury, an infection (eg infection of the gums), bleeding of the digestive tract (eg from a recent tooth extraction) or respiratory tract (eg from a nose bleed), cancer etc

Other symptoms depend on the cause of the bleeding (for instance, bleeding from the digestive tract may be accompanied with abdominal cramps, bloody stool, vomiting of blood etc) and the severity of the bleeding (eg fast pulses, feeling faint or light headed, weakness etc).

If this bleeding goes on, there may be a decrease in red blood cell count and patient may go into shock due to the blood loss. Blood transfusion may be required in these cases.

Treatment is dependent on the cause. Encourage your friend to see his/her doctor for a detailed medical examination and also if this blood in saliva gets worse over time or continues for more than a week. Signs of getting worse include vomiting blood, difficulty with breathing etc

Remember to catch the first episode of season 4 on Silverbird TV (also on channel 252 on DSTV) tomorrow by 7.20pm. I will be discussing heart healthy diets 😀

Have a great night, y’all 😀