Nosebleeds are very common. In fact, they’re one of the most common reasons why people see ENT doctors like those on the team at ENT Specialists.
Fortunately, most nosebleeds are benign and clear up on their own. But there are times when medical attention is absolutely required. If you have a nosebleed, here’s how to tell when you need to see our team.
An occasional nosebleed usually isn’t a big deal. Lots of factors — allergies, colds, dry air, and even nose-picking — can cause infrequent nosebleeds.
But, if you’re having nosebleeds on a regular basis, it’s time to have them evaluated. Frequent nosebleeds could be a sign of an underlying medical problem, like a bleeding disorder, or they could be related to medicines you’re taking.
Most nosebleeds involve relatively light bleeding that stops fairly quickly. If, however, you have heavy bleeding from your nose or down your throat, it’s time to seek treatment, even if the bleeding stops quickly. For extremely heavy nosebleeds that don’t stop promptly, you should call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately.
In addition to the amount of blood involved, you also need to consider the duration of your nosebleed. Even if bleeding is relatively light, if the bleeding doesn’t stop within a half hour, you need to seek medical treatment.
Any type of nosebleed — or any other facial bleeding — following a facial trauma requires emergency medical treatment. Bleeding could be a sign of a fracture or other serious injury to your nasal bones or sinuses. Delaying care could lead to life-threatening complications.
Most nosebleeds are anterior nosebleeds that involve vessels toward the front part of your nasal area. Posterior nosebleeds involve larger vessels located farther back in your nasal passages.
Posterior nosebleeds are less common than anterior nosebleeds, but they’re much more serious. Anterior nosebleeds are associated with heavier bleeding and longer duration.
They can also occur more commonly with facial injuries. These types of nosebleeds require special care to stop the bleeding and prevent it from recurring.
Although a nosebleed might seem like a simple problem that will go away on its own, frequent or unusual nosebleeds should never be ignored. Having your nosebleeds evaluated is important for identifying underlying problems that could cause serious complications.
With offices in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, ENT Specialists helps patients get the care they need when they need it. To learn more about how we treat nosebleeds or to learn what’s causing your nosebleeds, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists today.
