Typically, when experiencing a nosebleed, the bleeding stops quickly. However, in some cases, bleeding can recur over a period of 10-30 days, posing a serious risk to the patient’s life.
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Absolutely do not swallow blood (Image: TTO) |
The phenomenon of nosebleeds commonly occurs in winter, or more precisely, when environmental temperatures begin to drop. However, the culprit causing this condition is not the temperature change but the decrease in air humidity. This is particularly true in places where heating systems or air conditioning are used.
In most cases, the bleeding comes from tiny capillaries located in the mucous membrane covering the nasal septum – the cartilage that divides this part into two cavities, left and right.
Dry air (due to heating or air conditioning) causes this mucous membrane to lose moisture and become damaged. Its capillaries rupture, releasing a small amount of blood.
Research shows that men are more likely to experience nosebleeds than women. There is a significant difference across age groups:
– Teenagers and young adults: The bleeding point often originates from the front of the nose (over 80% of cases). Common causes include trauma or upper respiratory infections.
– Nosebleeds are most common in individuals over 40 years old (64%). The causes include arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and tumors. Additionally, the blood vessels at this age may have reduced elasticity.
The number of patients significantly increases during transitional seasons due to weather changes that greatly affect certain systemic diseases (such as hypertension, allergies…) or cause vascular disorders, damaging the nasal mucosa.
– The majority of remaining cases cannot identify a specific cause. This type of nosebleed is spontaneous, with little blood loss, self-limiting, and often recurs during exertion or when exposed to sunny weather.
First Aid: Absolutely do not swallow blood
Individuals experiencing a nosebleed should sit down, leaning slightly forward; loosen clothing, especially around the neck, to facilitate breathing. Apply firm pressure to the affected nostril for 5-10 minutes.
However, if the bleeding persists, hospitalization is necessary. Stay calm and avoid panic.
Applying creams or petroleum jelly inside the nose is not a long-term solution as it does not help restore moisture to the mucosa. Nasal sprays tend to exacerbate the dryness.
According to medical experts, nasal sprays using water or diluted saline are very effective. Mechanical devices like humidifiers also help increase the humidity of the air in the room.
Avoid blowing your nose or applying strong pressure to the nose for a few hours. Absolutely do not swallow (to avoid bloating and toxins resulting from the breakdown of blood).
If far from a medical facility, find a clean, long piece of fabric and insert it deeply into the bleeding nostril; then quickly transport the patient to the nearest medical facility for bleeding control and diagnosis.
Beware of Nasopharyngeal Fibroma in Children
When a child has a nosebleed, keep them still and use cotton to control the bleeding. Take the child to the hospital immediately if the nosebleed is accompanied by a sudden high fever, continuous bleeding with pus, heavy bleeding, or recurrent bleeding lasting 1-2 weeks, as this could indicate a serious condition like nasopharyngeal fibroma.
Nasopharyngeal fibroma is a common condition in children aged 6-15 years, predominantly affecting boys. The initial symptoms include recurrent nosebleeds with increasing blood volume. Over time, if untreated, the tumor will grow larger, and the child may experience additional symptoms like nasal obstruction and ear fullness.
The tumor often grows rapidly, invading nasal cavities and sinuses, extending down to the throat and mouth, and into the eye sockets; severe nosebleeds may accompany infections. This condition affects the overall health of the patient, causing oxygen deprivation, anemia, poor appetite, and insomnia, leading to weight loss and pallor.
In cases where bleeding control and resuscitation are lacking, or if the tumor spreads to the skull base, the patient may face severe complications that can lead to death, even though this is not a malignant tumor.
In severe cases, fibromas can push the eyes outward or develop under the throat, displacing the hard palate, making it difficult for the child to breathe through the nose and forcing them to breathe through the mouth, resulting in a nasal voice.
To date, the cause of this disease remains unidentified globally; it is known to involve the growth of fibrous tissue and blood vessels. The larger the tumor, the higher the risk of death during surgery.
If detected early and the tumor is small, doctors can employ endoscopic surgery to easily remove it, with very low bleeding risk. In contrast, when the tumor is large, the risk of bleeding is very high, and endoscopic surgery may not be possible, necessitating facial bone cutting to access the nasal cavity for tumor removal; this may leave scars on the face.
Doctors advise that if boys exhibit recurrent nosebleeds with increasing blood volume, parents should take them to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for examination and treatment promptly to prevent the tumor from growing large.
