Seeing an ENT for Nose Bleeds

Nose bleeds, referred to as epistaxis in the medical community, can be scary, especially if happening for no apparent reason. While the cause behind a bleeding nose can be serious, it usually isn't. By going to see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist), you can usually find out the root cause behind the nose bleeds and figure out if there is anything you can do about it. They will often run tests and may offer some suggestions on how to control the bleeding in the future. Sometimes a nose spray may be prescribed to control the condition or reduce some of the inflammation that may be behind the epistaxis. Here are some issues you can bring up with your doctor about the problem.

When Is It Serious?

While nose bleeds are usually not serious and very rarely fatal, you should definitely ask your ENT when you should consider making a future appointment or heading to the emergency room. A trickle of blood is one thing and a gush is something else altogether. Your doctor, after evaluating your symptoms and the results of any tests he may have run, should have a good idea about what is causing the epistaxis. As such, he will be able to provide you with helpful information concerning when you should consider the problem serious enough to contact medical help.

Prevention

If nose bleeds are nothing else, they can be annoying. You have to generally stop whatever it is you're doing, hold your head up, clog it with tissues, or do whatever else your ENT recommends to stop the flow of blood. It's messy, you wind up ruining clothes, and people look at your askance when you have a river of crimson flowing from your nostrils. Your best bet is to stop it before it starts. Talk to your doctor about prevention. Medications, techniques, nasal sprays, and other methods can go a long way towards making sure you can at least reduce their frequency.

Medical History

When consulting with your ENT, it's important to not leave anything out of your medical history. There could be clues there that provide a light towards figuring out what's causing your occurrences. Make sure you mention any medications you've been taking, activities you've been pursuing, and anything else that might be relevant. If you lie or omit information that could help him with a diagnosis, he may not be able to provide you with a way to stop the problem.