Your garden may answer that nosebleed query
Aug 17, 2005
NOSEBLEEDING is a common occurrence that many people do not take seriously. But when it occurs repeatedly, or cannot be stopped within 20 minutes, there is cause for concern. Such nosebleeds are classified as posterior. <br>
By Asmara Nabayaza
NOSEBLEEDING is a common occurrence that many people do not take seriously. But when it occurs repeatedly, or cannot be stopped within 20 minutes, there is cause for concern. Such nosebleeds are classified as posterior.
According to Dr. David Ssali of Dama Medicinal Herbs, posterior nosebleeds occur at the back of the nose and are usually prolonged, slow and steady. The area of the damage is difficult to locate. Such nosebleeds always require a physician’s attention.
The other type is Anterior, which occurs near the front of the nose and lasts a short time. Dr Dennis Awubwa, Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Head and Neck specialist with AAR, says it is easily curable except when it originates from a place called ‘Little’s area’, a crossroad where very many vessels meet.
Causes
Nosebleeds are caused by many factors. Awubwa mentions allergies, infections, or dryness that causes itching and leads to serious picking of the nose.
“Vigorous nose blowing can also rupture nasal blood vessels. Clotting disorders that run in families or due to medications; fractures of the nose; tumours, particularly in older people, and people with holes inside the nose like with drug addicts may get nose bleeds,†he says.
Awubwa says posterior nosebleeds are more likely to occur in older people whose blood vessels have gone through many changes. It is also likely to occur in people with liver and kidney diseases (clot factors are manufactured in the liver), people living with HIV because their number of platelets (blood mechanism to stop bleeding) are reduced, and the asthmatic (suffer inflammation of the nose).
Though high blood pressure is not a direct cause, it increases one’s risks of getting a complicated type of a nosebleed, according to Awubwa.
He says other factors may be external. That is why anterior nosebleeds are common in dry climates and dry indoor air. “Dryness may result in crusting, cracking, and bleeding. It also dehydrates the nasal membranes,†he said.
Natural drugs
However, Dr. Jjuuko Ndawula, a consultant in herbal medicine, says nosebleeds are not always bad.
He says they relieve severe headaches especially where there is blood congestion in the head. “But when it becomes an inconvenience, natural remedies can can be applied,†he says.
“Green berries (entuntunu), for instance, are common in many areas. You can crush the leaves, squeeze the water out and put drops in the juice inside the nose. The bleeding can stop in minutes,†Jjuuko says.
Dr Ssali suggests garlic. “Crush one or two cloves of garlic and place it between the eyes for approximately nine minutes without blocking the nose. If the problem is recurrent, do this every morning and evening for three days. Garlic contains 17 amino acids and 33 sulphur organic compounds necessary in healing wounds.â€
Prevention
According to Dr Ssali, you can avoid nosebleeds by eating lots of green leafy vegetables, such as, lettuce, nakati, bbugga, dodo, cabbage, and spinach. “They contain a lot of Vitamin K. For Vitamin C, take citrus fruits daily, such as lemons, oranges and tangerines. These fruits contain bioflavonoids (a class of antioxidants) which strengthen the blood vessels, making them less likely to rupture.â€
Jjuuko recommends taking enough fluids and having sound sleep –– at least eight hours for adults.
Awubwa advises that drug addicts should stop taking drugs.
Those in the habit of picking noses should stop. Those with allergies should have them treated and herbalists should be careful when treating nasal problems with strong herbs, which can damage the lining of the nose.
Nosebleed first aid
Keep the head elevated and above the heart. Then breathe through the mouth.
Sit up straight and lean forward slightly. Tilting the head back may cause the blood to run down the throat.
Stay quiet for a few hours after the bleeding has stopped as exertion may cause the bleeding to start again .
Don’t blow your nose for at least 12 hours after the bleeding has stopped.
Pinch the nose to add pressure and release it slowly. Do it 10 times. After that exercise, don’t touch the nose any more.
If the bleeding continues after 20 minutes, get a doctor’s attention.
NOSEBLEEDING is a common occurrence that many people do not take seriously. But when it occurs repeatedly, or cannot be stopped within 20 minutes, there is cause for concern. Such nosebleeds are classified as posterior.
According to Dr. David Ssali of Dama Medicinal Herbs, posterior nosebleeds occur at the back of the nose and are usually prolonged, slow and steady. The area of the damage is difficult to locate. Such nosebleeds always require a physician’s attention.
The other type is Anterior, which occurs near the front of the nose and lasts a short time. Dr Dennis Awubwa, Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Head and Neck specialist with AAR, says it is easily curable except when it originates from a place called ‘Little’s area’, a crossroad where very many vessels meet.
Causes
Nosebleeds are caused by many factors. Awubwa mentions allergies, infections, or dryness that causes itching and leads to serious picking of the nose.
“Vigorous nose blowing can also rupture nasal blood vessels. Clotting disorders that run in families or due to medications; fractures of the nose; tumours, particularly in older people, and people with holes inside the nose like with drug addicts may get nose bleeds,†he says.
Awubwa says posterior nosebleeds are more likely to occur in older people whose blood vessels have gone through many changes. It is also likely to occur in people with liver and kidney diseases (clot factors are manufactured in the liver), people living with HIV because their number of platelets (blood mechanism to stop bleeding) are reduced, and the asthmatic (suffer inflammation of the nose).
Though high blood pressure is not a direct cause, it increases one’s risks of getting a complicated type of a nosebleed, according to Awubwa.
He says other factors may be external. That is why anterior nosebleeds are common in dry climates and dry indoor air. “Dryness may result in crusting, cracking, and bleeding. It also dehydrates the nasal membranes,†he said.
Natural drugs
However, Dr. Jjuuko Ndawula, a consultant in herbal medicine, says nosebleeds are not always bad.
He says they relieve severe headaches especially where there is blood congestion in the head. “But when it becomes an inconvenience, natural remedies can can be applied,†he says.
“Green berries (entuntunu), for instance, are common in many areas. You can crush the leaves, squeeze the water out and put drops in the juice inside the nose. The bleeding can stop in minutes,†Jjuuko says.
Dr Ssali suggests garlic. “Crush one or two cloves of garlic and place it between the eyes for approximately nine minutes without blocking the nose. If the problem is recurrent, do this every morning and evening for three days. Garlic contains 17 amino acids and 33 sulphur organic compounds necessary in healing wounds.â€
Prevention
According to Dr Ssali, you can avoid nosebleeds by eating lots of green leafy vegetables, such as, lettuce, nakati, bbugga, dodo, cabbage, and spinach. “They contain a lot of Vitamin K. For Vitamin C, take citrus fruits daily, such as lemons, oranges and tangerines. These fruits contain bioflavonoids (a class of antioxidants) which strengthen the blood vessels, making them less likely to rupture.â€
Jjuuko recommends taking enough fluids and having sound sleep –– at least eight hours for adults.
Awubwa advises that drug addicts should stop taking drugs.
Those in the habit of picking noses should stop. Those with allergies should have them treated and herbalists should be careful when treating nasal problems with strong herbs, which can damage the lining of the nose.
Nosebleed first aid