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Symptoms » Bleeding gums » Diagnosis Checklist
 
Dr. Huntley's

DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Bleeding gums

Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Bleeding gums. These may include a physical examination or other medical tests. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.

Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

  1. How long has the problem of bleeding gums been apparent to you?

    Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

  2. Do you remember any injury to the gums that may have cause the bleeding?
  3. Have you noticed any bleeding from other areas?

    Why: e.g. nose, easy bruising of skin, painful swelling of joints - may help determine if due to bleeding disorder.

  4. Did you notice a viral illness or sore throat beforehand?

    Why: may suggest acute Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) especially in children.

  5. Dental health?

    Why: when last saw a dentist?, dental care routine? Known dental caries? - may suggest gingivitis, periodontitis, Vincent's infection.

  6. Medical history?

    Why: of leukemia , immunocompromised, malnutrition.

  7. Medication history?
    • Medications that may reduce platelets include e.g. chloramphenicol, cytotoxic drugs, gold, heparin, phenylbutazone, sulphonamides, quinine, quinidine, thiazide diuretics
    • Medications that cause platelet function abnormalities include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
    • Medications that cause coagulation factor deficiency include warfarin
  8. Family history?

    Why: of easy bruising or bleeding.

  9. Dietary history?

    Why: may indicate Scurvy if Vitamin C deficient; malnutrition can increase the risk of Acute ulcerative gingivitis (Vincent's infection).

  10. Cigarette smoking?

    Why: increases risk of gingivitis.

  11. Alcohol history?

    Why: can reduce platelets.

Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. These may include:

  1. Easy bruising, bleeding nose, heavy periods

    Why: may suggest bleeding disorder as cause.

  2. Tiredness, weight loss, fever, night sweats

    Why: may suggest malignancy such as leukemia.

  3. Gum ulceration?

    Why: may suggest acute ulcerative gingivitis (Vincent's disease).

  4. Skin rash?

    Why: may suggest lupus erythematosus which can cause an autoimmune thrombocytopenia.

  5. Dry mouth (xerostomia)?

    Why: e.g. diabetes, certain drugs , Sjogren's syndrome, dehydration, anemia, HIV infection, irradiation - can increase the risk of dental caries and thus gingivitis and bleeding gums.


 » Next page: Symptom combinations for Bleeding gums

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