Nosebleeds occur in most of us and they just happen at any time whether you are at a movie or job or home. All of a sudden, there’s just a rush of blood and a certain sense of embarrassment in public. Most of the times, they don’t tend to be a sign of anything serious and usually pass within 10-15 minutes after which people soon forget what happened at all.
There are certain cases whereby nosebleeds rather become dangerous.
In such situations, you have to rush to the nearest ENT specialist as such cases must be inspected closely and necessitate medical attention. But the most difficult thing is that, when you should seek medical attention and when you should be worried about nosebleeds?
Let’s discover some of the signs when you should be serious about it.
What Are Nosebleeds?
Nosebleed, in the medical terms, is called Epistaxis. It occurs when one or more blood vessels within the nose bursts. In fact, Nosebleeds are common both in adults as well as children. They can also be seen in pregnant women besides the persons on blood thinning medication or suffering from blood clotting disorders. They can be anterior or posterior. The anterior nosebleeds are not that severe as compared to the posterior nosebleeds but are more visible as blood oozes out from the nose. Anterior Nosebleeds include much more blood and blood leaks into the throat quickly.
The most common causes of nosebleeds are low air humidity, flu as well as allergies. High altitudes and an ample mesh of fresh air also lead to nosebleeds. Certain medications like Aspirin, ibuprofen, nasal decongestants as well as antihistamines which are used to treat a blocked nose, common old or allergies also result in nosebleeds sometimes.
When You Have a Nosebleed
Medical care or an Appointment with ENT specialist is immediately required if:
• In case, you get injured or something traumatic happened, like accident or injury;
• More blood comes out than expected;
• Difficulty in breathing;
• Bleeding occurs for more than 20 minutes even on applying pressure.
When Your Child Has a Nosebleed
• If your child bleeds heavily or he/she feels dizzy;
• If bleeding occurs due to some injury or fall;
• If bleeding occurs for more than ten minutes;
• If bleeding occurs more often;
• If bleeding occurs on putting something in the nose;
• If bleeding occurs even in minor injuries;
• If bleeding occurs in other areas like gums;
• If bleeding occurs on taking a new medication.
In all of us, the nasal cavity has a large blood supply which leads to a lot of blood flow into the front bottom part of the nasal septum which is known as Kiesselbach’s plexus. Housing almost five arteries, more than 90 per cent of nosebleeds occur in this area. In the case of children, there is more number of blood vessels in the nasal plexus, due to which nosebleeds occurs more often in them. The risk for nosebleed further escalates, if your child picks his/her nose.
Sometimes Nosebleeds result in a more serious disorder, called hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. It involves abnormal blood vessels that enlarge in the lungs and brain and often go undiagnosed.
Why does It happen in Summers?
The warm temperatures make your plexus to be enlarged due to which nosebleeds occur more often in the summers. In winters, sometimes dry air irritates the blood vessels in your plexus which causes nosebleeds.
How Nosebleeds can be Prevented
Chronic nosebleeds can be prevented by the following tips:
1. Use of Humidifier: When air is dry in the winter season, then use of a humidifier may help get rid of nosebleeds. It will keep your nasal plexus from drying out.
2. Saline-Spray: To keep your nasal passageways moist, use saline sprays.
3. Use nasal cream or water-based lubricant: A thicker and sticky spray may help in coating the nasal passages, thus helps in controlling nosebleeds.
4. Avoid Picking your Nose: Nose-picking leads to damage of nasal plexus which leads to the occurrence of nosebleeds.
Why Should Not You Delay Medical Care for Your ENT and Allergy Issues?
How to Stop Nosebleed Quickly?
• Nasal decongestant spray which contains oxymetazoline like Afrin should be used immediately. This would help stop bleeding. But it is advised to use them for one to three days as a break of one full week is required while using it because regular use of it would result in rhinitis medicamentosa or severe congestion.
• Immediately Sit down and lean a bit forward. Avoid tilting back your head.
• Firmly pinch the bottom, the fleshy part of the nose using your thumb and index finger for about 10 minutes.
• The blood should be absorbed using a tissue or damp cloth.
If you too are worried about nosebleeds and seeking an expert ENT specialist, then get your appointment fixed with Dr. Muddazir Ali Ibrahim ( ENT specialist in dubai ) without delaying it any further.