What’s Going Around? Bronchitis And Nosebleeds

Florida Alabama Do you have a persistent cough or a painful head cold? You're not the only one. Here's what's going around this week.

by Kesshia Peyton

Published: Thu, January 15, 2009 - 11:19 am CST Last Updated: Thu, January 15, 2009 - 11:25 am CST

Do you have a persistent cough or a painful head cold? You're not the only one.
Here's what's going around this week.
Doctor Joel Laughlin in West Mobile says he's been seeing patients come in with bronchitis and sinus infections.
He says there are simple things you can do to prevent getting sick or making others sick:
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Wash your hands often and stay home if you're running a fever.
Also, don't share your eating or drinking utensils.
Doctor Laughlin said sinus infections and bronchitis can develop on top of allergies just as easily as they develop on top of a cold.
Believe it our not, Dr. James Connolly in Destin, Florida says he's seeing more people being treated for nosebleeds.
He says cold weather could be the blame.
Doctor Connolly says this is the time of year where there are more upper respiratory infections because the weather fluctuates.
With people going from cold conditions outside to a heated indoors, that makes you more prone to have a nose bleed.
He's provided several tips on what to do if you get a nosebleed and how to prevent from getting another one:

Most people who develop nose bleeding can handle the problem without the need of a physician if they follow the recommendations below:

1. Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger.

2. Press firmly toward the face - compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the bones of the face.

3. Lean forward slightly with the head tilted forward. Leaning back or tilting the head back allows the blood to run back into your sinuses and throat and can cause gagging or inhaling the blood. It also will not allow you to see if the bleeding is stopping.

4. Hold the nose for at least five minutes. Repeat as necessary until the nose has stopped bleeding.

5. Sit quietly, keeping the head higher than the level of the heart. Do not lay flat or put your head between your legs.

6. Apply ice (wrapped in a towel) to nose and cheeks.

How do you prevent the nose from bleeding again?
1. Go home and rest with head elevated at 30 to 45 degrees.

2. Do not blow your nose or put anything into it. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth so that the air will escape out the mouth and not through the nose.

3. Do not strain during bowel movements. Use a stool softener (for example, Colace).

4. Do not strain or bend down to lift anything heavy.

5. Try to keep your head higher than the level of your heart.

6. Do not smoke.

7. Stay on a soft, cool diet. No hot liquids for at least 24 hours. Hot liquids dilate blood vessels.

8. Hold any nasal steroid medications that maybe irritating the nasal mucosal lining. Take antihistamine medication (Claritin or Zyrtec), if sneezing is perpetuating bleeding.

9. Do not take any medications that will thin the blood such as: aspirin, ibuprofen, clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), fish oils, Vitamin E, or herbal medications. If these have been prescribed by your physician, you need to contact them regarding stopping these medications.

10. Your doctor may recommend some form of lubricating ointment for the inside of the nose (see below).

11. If re-bleeding occurs, try to clear the nose of clots by sniffing in forcefully. You can temporarily use a nasal decongestant spray, such as Afrin or Neo-Synephrine. These types of sprays constrict blood vessels. (NOTE: If used for many days at a time, these can cause addiction and do not use if you have high blood pressure.)

12. Repeat the steps above on how to stop the common nose bleed. If bleeding persists, call the doctor and/or visit to the emergency room.

What precautions can you take to prevent nose bleeding?

The most common cause of a nose bleeds is drying of the nasal membranes. If you are prone to recurrent nosebleeds, it is often helpful to try lubricating the nose with an ointment of some type. This can be applied gently with a Q-tip or your fingertip up inside the nose, especially on the middle portion (the septum). Many patients use A & D ointment, Mentholatum, Polysporin/Neosporin ointment, saline gel, or Vaseline. Saline mist nasal spray is often helpful (Ocean Spray).

When should you call your doctor or report to the emergency room?

If bleeding cannot be stopped or keeps occurring, rapid blood loss, if blood loss is large, if you feel weak or faint.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Medical

Video
Photo

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

KxVicious Says:

Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 2:09 pm

Did anyone else spit their coffee everywhere when they go to this one:

3. Do not strain during bowel movements. Use a stool softener.

belle53 Says:

Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:36 am

Good Morning ! you are so funny BamaBob!

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:31 am

It is always comforting to know other people are feeling like chit too! I had about decided I had a rare, terminal illness derived from that Chinese take-out I choked down last week.