Question about nosebleeds

[Alistair]

I get frequent nosebleeds, especially during the winter. I know about hydration and everything but I have a question. Could I actually be having my sinus bleed instead of my nose? Ever time I get a nose bleed, I can hear an audible pop. I then get a gush of blood that last for up to 5 minutes. I always have to clear out my nose (I know this is gross) but I get a very large clot of blood out. I would estimate that it would be between 1 and 2 ounces. Blowing my nose and getting all the clotted blood out usually stops the nosebleed.

Does this occur with everyone's nosebleeds? Or is this my sinus filling with blood and breaking loose?

I know they are common so if anyone has an experience please help.

 

[KaraBulut]

What you're describing is not the typical nosebleeds that people get during cold, dry weather.

Have you seen an ear, nose and throat specialist?

 

[Alistair]

No. My PCP seemed unconcerned when I told him.

I was just wondering about it because I had a problem with a micro-vascular bleed behind my eye that was causing diplopia. I had an MRI that covered my sinuses and eyes, and checked for tumors. They checked all other causes and ruled everything else out. So the default was the micro bleed. I did see a neuro-opthamologist. I still have an occasion occurrence of the diplopia, if I'm over tired or stressed so I still see the opthamologist every 6 months. I'll mention it the next time I'm there.

 

[KaraBulut]

No. My PCP seemed unconcerned when I told him.

I was just wondering about it because I had a problem with a micro-vascular bleed behind my eye that was causing diplopia. I had an MRI that covered my sinuses and eyes, and checked for tumors. They checked all other causes and ruled everything else out. So the default was the micro bleed. I did see a neuro-opthamologist. I still have an occasion occurrence of the diplopia, if I'm over tired or stressed so I still see the opthamologist every 6 months. I'll mention it the next time I'm there.

Recurrent nosebleeds are not uncommon- we see spontaneous bleeds without an apparent cause quite often in young people. The standard approach is to try methods to stop the bleed - usually with vaseline and local pressure. Occasionally we'll use a nasal decongestant spray or a silver nitrate swab to staunch the bleeding. Rarely, it may require surgery but that's more likely to be associated with trauma like a sports accident, fistfight or car accident, etc.

When a patient has them often and we can't attribute it to a common cause - like dry air or excessive use of nasal sprays, then we start looking for another cause. A physician should run routine hematology tests - checking things like platelet counts and clotting studies. An ENT consult is generally a good idea- an ENT can do an in-office rhinoscopy to take a look at the septum (where most bleeds originate) and other nasal structures to determine if there's a structural abnormality that would explain the recurrent bleeding.

There are some people who have bleeds that have no apparent explanation but it's still worth seeing an ENT to have the tests run to eliminate treatable causes so that the bleeds are stopped or at least occur less frequently.

 

[ShadowCat]

Don't know about all that I seem to get mine at night usually when I am sleeping, so sudden infact come winter I sleep with a light days tampon ready to go on my nightstand. CVS has nosebleed plugs but they are extremely difficult to find I use ocean nasal spray and it kind of helps really its not a matter of if i get a nosebleed its more like when.