Nose Bleed (Epistaxis)
Bleeding from one or both nostrils is known as epistaxis or nosebleed. Bleeding usually occurs in one nostril.
The incidence of nosebleeds is higher during the colder winter months when upper respiratory infections are more frequent, and the temperature and humidity fluctuate more dramatically.
Nosebleeds can be due to local or systemic factors. However, significant cases of nosebleeds occur with no obvious cause.
Causes :
- Trauma to the nose (blow on the nose or face, forceful nose blowing)
- Foreign bodies such as fingers used during nose picking
- Inflammation of the nose or sinuses
- Tumors, particularly malignant tumor of the nose or sinuses
- Deviated septum (when the partition between your nose is crooked)
- Overuse of decongestant nasal spray
- Use of anti coagulants (blood thinning medications)
- Hypertension
- Bleeding disorder
- Cold and dry air
Symptoms :
- Bleeding from one or both the nostrils
- Frequent swallowing
- Sensation of fluid flow in the back of the nose and throat
Diagnosis of epistaxis is made after a thorough medical history for previous bleeding, high blood pressure, liver diseases, use of anticoagulants, nasal trauma, family history of bleeding etc.
Prevention:
- Avoid blowing of the nose or putting anything into it. If one feels like sneezing, keep the mouth opened so that the air will escape out the mouth and not through the nose.
- Do not strain during bowel movements.
- Try to keep the head higher than the level of the heart.
- Do not strain or bend down to lift anything heavy.
- Do not smoke.
- Stay on a soft, cool diet. Do not drink hot liquids for at least 24 hours following a nosebleed episode.
- Do not take any blood thinning medications like aspirin during a nosebleed episode.
- Keep the lining of the nose moist. Gently apply a light coating of petroleum jelly inside the nose with a cotton swab twice a day.
- Counteract the drying effects of indoor heated air by using a humidifier at night in the bedroom.
- Nasal saline spray can help prevent nosebleeds, especially during the winter months.
- Avoid picking the nose.
Homoeopathic Remedies:
Many a times Epistaxis is idiopathic (without any physical cause in the body ) . Children has the tendency to nose bleed without reason .
Homoeopathy has good medicines for Epistaxis whether it is idiopathic or due to above mentioned local and systematic causes. According to the accompanied symptom the doctor will come to the right remedy.
The most important medicines are: Aconite, Ammonium Carb, Arnica, Calcarea phos, Phosphorous, Crotalushoridus, Rhustox, Sulphur, tuberculinum, Sabina, Nitric Acid.
