Have you ever experienced nose bleeds? If so, how did you treat it? Did you know that nose bleeds have always been the typical reason why people visit an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic in Singapore? It is a common problem that causes people to panic and visits emergency rooms. It is no secret this ENT illness happens most of the time due to intense heat, lack of sleep, and heart conditions. Although nose bleeds can sometimes be a threat and cause fright, nose bleeding, epistaxis as its medical term, is usually a sign of any serious medical problem.

WHAT CAUSES NOSEBLEEDS?

Nosebleeds have various causes. Luckily, most of them are not grave. The most common cause of nose bleeding is dry air due to intense heat, low humidity, or cold or winter. This dryness crusts the insides of your nose, causing it to be itchy, red, inflamed, or irritated. It doesn’t generally happen, but if you get frequent nosebleeds, now is the best time to seek a sinus specialist in Singapore. Some of the causes, most and least common, of nosebleeds:

• • Hypertension
  • Colds and sinusitis
  • Trauma

• Septal spur, deviation or deviated septum, septal perforation
• Nose picking
• The forced blowing of your nose
• Inserting spiky objects into your nose
• Allergy and non-allergic rhinitis
• Certain medications and blood-thinning drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Warfarin, Aspirin, and Clopidogrel
• Use of cocaine
• Frequent exposure to chemical irritations, such as chemical fumes or chemicals in cleaning supplies
• Frequent use of nasal sprays and medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants
• Septal angioma or Hemangioma
• Rhinophoridae
• Chronic sinusitis
• Nasal tumours
• Minor injuries
• Extreme temperature
• High altitudes or lack of oxygen and air
• Barotrauma
• Blood dyscrasias, haemophilia, or leukaemia
• Pregnancy
• Alcoholism, smoking, and other causes of liver dysfunction

WHO CAN GET NOSEBLEEDS?

Again, most nosebleeds don’t require medical attention. However, if it regularly occurs to you, lasts for more than 20 minutes, or happens after an injury, consult an ENT clinic in Singaporeas soon as possible before it turns into a more severe case. One thing you should also know is that anyone can get a nosebleed. It can happen due to the reasons aforementioned or injuries, such as falls, car collisions, or a punch. However, there are also people who are more likely to have a nosebleed, such as the following:

Children

Nose bleeding is common in children between the ages of two to ten. The typical reasons children get nosebleeds are nose picking, dry air, colds, allergies, and sticking objects into their noses.

Adults

Adults between the ages of 45 to 65 are highly likely to encounter this ENT condition. Blood may take longer to clot in ageing or elderly adults. Also, older adults have more tendencies to develop the health problems listed above, such as hypertension, tumours, or chronic conditions. They are also more likely to be taking blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or warfarin. If your age ranges from the given numbers, consider visiting an ENT doctor or a sinus specialist in Singapore regularly.

Pregnant Women

During a woman’s pregnancy, their blood vessels expand, especially in the nose. This expansion pressures the most delicate areas and linings of your nose, causing nose bleeds. If you’re expecting a child and, by any chance, experienced nose bleeding, visit an ENT clinic in Singaporeimmediately.

These people are the common targets of nose bleeding. However, again, it can occur to anyone. It can also happen to people with blood clotting disorders, such as haemophilia, leukaemia, anaemia, or von Willebrand disease. If you have any of the following blood disorders, consider consulting a sinus specialist in Singapore.

HOW TO STOP NOSEBLEEDS?

RELAX.

Stay as calm as possible. Sudden movements, panicking, and nervousness can cause you to bleed more. Relax and let the person with you call a sinus specialist in Singapore.

SIT UP AND LEAN YOUR HEAD FORWARD.

Never lay down or tilt your head back, as this can increase the blood pressure in your nasal veins. Keep your head above your heart, sit up, and lean forward. Also, avoid swallowing blood as this can lead to digestion irritation.

PINCH YOUR NOSTRILS CLOSED.

With your thumb and index finger, gently pinch your nose for at least five to ten minutes. Breathe through your mouth instead. Doing this can apply pressure and stop the nosebleeds. Once it does, visit an ENT clinic in Singapore afterwards.

APPLY ICE.

Ice application can also help stop your nosebleeds. You can use an icepack and gently apply it to your nose bridge and lift it if it starts to get numb. Repeat the same process until the bleeding is gone. Ice narrows the blood vessels down and relieves discomfort. Consult a sinus specialist in Singaporeright after the bleeding stops.

HOW DO ENT DOCTORS DIAGNOSE NOSEBLEEDS?

If you visit an ENT clinic in Singapore, your ENT doctor will assess the severity of your nosebleeds, conduct various physical examinations and tests, and check your nose. In addition, they will ask about your medical history, including any comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, allergies, blood dyscrasias, or fever. Family history and current medications also contribute to nose bleeding. Your ENT doctor will also ask for your symptoms. Once all is good, they will do several tests to diagnose your case, including:

• Complete blood count (CBC), which checks your blood condition, count, and for any blood disorders

• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is a blood test that checks the duration of how long your blood starts to clot.

• Nasal Endoscopy

• Computer tomography (CT) scan of your brain and nose, checking for any nose or paranasal sinuses or nasal fractures

• X-ray of the face and nose

Conclusion

If you or your loved one often suffers from nose bleeding, it would be best to seek consultation immediately and schedule appointments with a sinus specialist in Singapore. Your doctor will provide several treatment options available and applicable to your ENT condition. Some treatment options to address your nosebleeds are nasal packing, cauterization, recommendation of new prescriptions or medication adjustments, body part removal, surgery, correction of a deviated septum, or ligation. As soon as you notice symptoms, even just one sign of nosebleeds, seek medical attention immediately.

In dire need of an ENT doctor around Mount Elizabeth? With more than 15 years of medical experience, Dr Dennis Chua can be your helping hand in any ENT problem. Contact them today at (65) 6235 3886 to schedule a consultation or reach out online by visiting their website.