If a nosebleed is a rare occurrence, it’s little more than a nuisance that may drip blood onto your favorite shirt. But what should you do if you get severe nosebleeds, or if they happen all the time?
Board-certified otolaryngologist Nilesh Patel, MD, specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders. He can get to the root cause of your nosebleeds and develop a treatment plan to help bring these messy occurrences to an end. Here, we offer a few guidelines on when your nosebleeds should prompt you to consult specialist care.
If you have a nosebleed that lasts longer than 20 minutes when applying pressure to your nose, call our office. The back of your nose contains larger blood vessels than the part near your nostrils. When these break, you have a posterior nosebleed which requires medical attention. We provide same-day emergency appointments in such circumstances.
You’re having another nosebleed — but didn’t you just have one a couple of days ago? Having frequent nosebleeds isn’t normal. It’s time to seek a professional evaluation.
Frequent nosebleeds can occur from something as minor as blowing your nose too often. On the other hand, they can also signal a medical problem that needs to be addressed, such as a genetic condition called Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome.
If you lose a lot of blood during your nosebleed, call our office right away. The blood vessels in your nose likely need to be packed or cauterized. Losing enough blood to soak up paper towels can indicate an underlying condition, such as a blood clotting disorder.
If you feel faint or dizzy during a nosebleed, give us a call ASAP. You may feel faint from excessive blood loss that stems from a clotting problem or another medical issue.
Call our office if you experience a nosebleed with bruising on your body. You could have a nasal tumor or another serious medical problem.
Dr. Patel reviews your medical history and examines your nose using an endoscope. If you have frequent nosebleeds, the issue might be an environmental one, such as dry outside air or dry inside air from a forced air furnace. Investing in a humidifier, using a neti pot, or spraying with a nasal rinse all help to calm the irritation causing your nosebleeds.
Frequent nosebleeds could also result from undiagnosed allergies that cause you to blow your nose profusely, even to the point that your nose starts bleeding.
On the other hand, you could have a nasal polyp, a tumor, or a structural abnormality like a deviated septum that brings on sinusitis and accompanying nosebleeds. Dr. Patel treats all of these conditions and more.
If you’re bothered by abnormal nosebleeds, call the office of Nilesh Patel, MD, in Midtown, New York City, today, or request an appointment through our online portal at your convenience.
