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- $Unique_ID{BRK00772}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Should be Done if a Nosebleed Happens?}
- $Subject{nosebleed first aid Accidents accident nasal septum seated pinch
- squeeze nostrils bloody nose bleed}
- $Volume{O-6}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What Should be Done if a Nosebleed Happens?
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- QUESTION: A friend of mine was banged on the nose while we were shopping
- together, and her nose started to bleed. It caused quite a commotion, as
- everyone had a different idea about what emergency care could be used. Can
- you please tell us what we should be doing if this happens again?
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-
- ANSWER: I wasn't aware that shopping could be so dangerous, but nose bleeds
- from an accidental blow are frequent occurrences. The sight of blood dripping
- from the nose puts many people in a state of panic, when a little calm and a
- few simple maneuvers are all that are needed to put an end to this
- inconvenience. Try to find a suitable location away from the crowd, and where
- the patient may sit quietly. There is no need for rushing about, as most nose
- bleeds which result from accidents of this type will stop by themselves after
- several minutes. The bleeding usually occurs in a section of the nasal septum
- (the middle "wall" of cartilage that divides the nose into two sides) that has
- many small and fragile blood vessels, and which can easily be closed by
- pinching the sides of the nose against the middle. With the patient seated
- with the head slightly forward, she can use the thumb and index finger to
- squeeze the nostrils, which will compress the vessels, and stop the flow of
- blood. Maintain this pressure for a full five minutes, keeping the patient
- calm and relaxed, helping to keep the blood pressure low. This should do the
- trick in most cases, but if it fails after two attempts, seek out the care of
- a physician.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-