Dorothy FarrarHome remedies for nosebleeds
A nosebleed often looks worse than it actually is, as the few drops that come out of the nose can soak several tissues at once. Causes can also be a bruised nose, picking (in small children it is often objects stuck in the nose) or a side effect of blood-thinning medication such as ASA, ibuprofen or warfarin
What is nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds are a relatively common symptom. which is usually based on a harmless cause. Another term for nosebleeds is epistaxis. The bleeding may bleed forward out of the nose or backward into the throat. Such bleeding usually occurs suddenly, e.g. B. during physical exertion or when blowing your nose.
During the anamnesis, diseases such as high blood pressure (hypertension), blood clotting disorders and the use of medications that affect blood clotting such as Marcumar or ASA are queried. It is also important to find out how long the bleeding has been going on in order to be able to estimate the amount of blood loss that has occurred.
The ENT doctor examines the nose with a nasal speculum or, more precisely, with an endoscope. After decongesting the mucous membrane and applying surface anesthesia, he tries to locate the source of the bleeding. Blood pressure is measured and a blood sample is taken to measure hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit and blood clotting parameters.
In individual cases, computed tomography of the nose and sinuses can be useful in order to rule out chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (manic sinusitis) or tumors. An anglography (contrast medium examination of the blood vessels) can be used to determine which blood vessel is affected. All diseases that lead to nosebleeds must be ruled out in advance: tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
Who is affected?
Children have nosebleeds more often than adults. The reasons for this are that the blood vessels in children are much thinner and their play behavior. All people get nosebleeds more frequently in winter and when the room air is very dry. Nosebleeds are very common because of this.
causes
In about 30% of cases, it bleeds from a vessel in the area of the front section of the nasal septum (the so-called locus Kiesselbachi). In this area, blood vessels emerge from the depths of the nasal septum to the surface and bend almost at right angles. They are particularly laid out just below the surface of the mucous membrane and are very vulnerable there.
Bleeding in this area is promoted by curvature of the nasal septum, which contributes to drying out and crusting of the mucous membrane due to increased turbulence in the breathing air. More rarely, the source of the bleeding is in the back or upper section of the nose or in the area of the paranasal sinuses. Certain systemic diseases such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or blood clotting disorders increase the risk of developing nosebleeds.
What helps against nosebleeds?
- Nosebleeds occur less frequently when the nasal mucous membranes are kept moist. For this purpose, more than two liters of water should be drunk daily. If the urine is pale yellow in color, it is sufficient.
- In winter, care should be taken to ensure that the air in the room does not become too dry due to the heating. Electric room humidifiers or evaporators on the heating help.
- You can also rub Vaseline in your nose or use saline nasal spray to keep your nose wet. Such a salt solution can also be made very easily by yourself by dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in 500ml of boiled water. This method is also very helpful before embarking on a long flight or after coming off a long cold.
- Once your nose has stopped bleeding, resist the temptation to cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. Because this could loosen the blood clots that have formed and the bleeding starts again.
Fast relief for nosebleeds
- Hold an ice pack or a compress soaked in witch hazel (witch hazel) on the outside of the bleeding nostril. The blood vessels constrict due to the cold and the blood flow slows down.
- The easiest way to stop nosebleeds is to simply pinch your nose. Before doing so, they should snort everything slightly, then bend forward slightly and squeeze for at least 10 minutes. If it still runs after that, just press it shut for another 10 minutes.
- If even that does not help, some gauze should be stuffed into the nose and continued to be squeezed. Even if the bleeding has stopped now, the gauze should remain in the nose for two hours. If it was still bleeding. it is essential to consult a doctor who can professionally stop the leaking blood vessel.
Alternative home remedies
- Lemon juice and lavender oil are considered alternative remedies for nosebleeds. To do this, sprinkle a piece of a paper handkerchief or cotton ball with fresh lemon juice and/or lavender and insert it into the nostrils.
- Another home remedy is vitamin C. It helps to strengthen the blood vessel walls. It is also an important component of collagen, which is responsible for moist nasal mucosa. Important vitamin C donors are kiwis, oranges, grapefruit and various types of vegetables. However, a dietary supplement (up to 1000mg) can also be taken.
- Flavonoid preparations have a vaso-sealing effect. Such preparations are available in pharmacies.
When the nose starts to bleed very frequently and especially for no apparent reason. And people who suffer from arteriosclerosis or high blood pressure and the nosebleed lasts longer than 10 minutes should definitely see a doctor.
However, nosebleeds should be evaluated by a doctor if they are the result of a blow to the head and appear watery. Because watery blood can indicate brain fluid. In case of dizziness or even fainting , the emergency room should be visited
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.