Treatment for Epistaxis

Epistaxis or nosebleeds are usually not serious and rarely a cause for concern though, treatment for epistaxis should be a priority as it could cause fear and anxiety in the person. Most cases of epistaxis can be handled at home through some simple measures.  When epistaxis originates from the front of the nose, it is known as anterior and when it originates from the rear of the nose, it is known as posterior. The causes of epistaxis may not be identifiable in most cases. The most common cause of nosebleed is injury or trauma to the nose. A blow to the nose or obstruction by a foreign object could result in nasal bleeding.

There are also some other factors that may predispose an individual to epistaxis. Dry and warm climate can irritate the nasal membranes and trigger bleeding. Individuals who suffer from allergies and sinus infections may sometimes experience nosebleeds. Blowing the nose vigorously during a cold or an upper respiratory infection can rupture the blood vessels and lead to bleeding. A deviated nasal septum is another risk factor for epistaxis. Other causes of nosebleeds include nasal surgery and use of cocaine. In rare cases, an underlying condition or intake of certain medications may trigger nosebleeds.

Symptoms of epistaxis include bleeding, dizziness and weakness. If the bleeding is excessive, the individual may also experience confusion and continued blood loss may lead to fainting. In most cases the bleeding begins in one nostril and then floods the part of the nose where the nostrils converge. This leads to blood flow from the other nostril as well. The blood may also drain down the throat and enter the stomach.

It is important to seek medical treatment for epistaxis in case there are recurring episodes or if bleeding occurs very easily. Those with underlying blood clotting disorders and individuals who are on blood thinning medications should also seek early medical attention.

Epistaxis in Children

Epistaxis in children can be traumatic. It can be frightening to experience and see the considerable blood loss that is characteristic of a nosebleed. Some children may be more prone to nosebleeds because the veins are much closer to the nasal membranes than usual and blowing or picking the nose can cause the veins to rupture. Since children may react with anxiety, it is the responsibility of the parent to remain calm and handle the nosebleed properly. Therefore it is helpful for all parents to know about first aid for nosebleeds. Here are the steps to follow when dealing with nosebleed in a child.

• The child must be reassured and encouraged to stay calm. It is highly imperative that the parent is calm as well.

• Have the child sit upright in a chair or in the lap and slowly tilt his head forward. The bleeding will cease sooner when the child is sitting upright instead of lying down.

• Gently pinch the nose using a tissue or cloth. This is helpful in stopping nosebleeds because it exerts pressure on the affected vein and restricts the bleeding. The blood will then coagulate and form a clot.

• Maintain the pressure on the nose until about ten minutes while you breathe from the mouth to ensure that the bleeding stops.

• It is important to keep the child from leaning back as this can cause the blood to drip down the throat. As a result the child may cough or vomit.

• Encourage the child to relax for sometime after a nosebleed.

It is advisable to consult a doctor in case children have recurring nosebleeds or show signs of bruising very easily. In order to prevent further nosebleeds, ensure that the child’s sleeping environment is sufficiently humid as nasal dryness can aggravate epistaxis.

Nosebleeds at Night

Nosebleeds can often appear much worse that they actually are. They are messy and bothersome and can be quite disturbing when they occur at night. Nosebleeds at night are fairly common and affect a large number of people. They can occur due to various factors. One of the most common causes of nosebleeds at night is dryness. When the nose becomes dry due to heat or allergies, nosebleeds are likely to occur. Even blowing the nose excessively can dry out the nose and make it prone to bleeding. The dryness makes the nasal membranes prone to flaking and crusting and this triggers bleeding. There are numerous tiny blood vessels in the nose and bleeding can occur quite easily when the vessels are irritated or rubbed. Other causes of nosebleeds include colds, infections of the upper respiratory tract and high blood pressure. Some people may even experience nosebleeds due to smoking, facial injuries and problems in blood coagulation.

It is extremely helpful to be aware about nosebleed first aid. Timely care will help to prevent excess bleeding and relieve discomfort. Here are some simple steps to follow when a nosebleed occurs;

• When a nosebleed occurs, you need to remain upright so that the pressure on the veins and blood vessels in the nose is relieved. This will reduce the bleeding. It is also advisable to lean forward as this will prevent swallowing of the blood.

• Using your index finger and thumb, pinch your nose and hold for about 5 to 10 minutes, while you breathe through the mouth. This type of pressure will restrict and eventually stop the flow of blood.

• Avoid bending or picking the nose after the bleeding ceases. Also ensure that the head is at a level higher than the heart.

• In case bleeding starts again, blow the nose to remove any blood clots and then use a decongestant nasal spray on the insides of the nasal passage. Pinch the nose again to restrict bleeding and seek medical attention.

It is important to seek medical treatment for nosebleeds in case there has been any kind of trauma or fracture to the nose.

Preventing Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are not serious in most cases but can be rather overwhelming. There are some measures which are helpful in preventing nosebleeds at night. Firstly, it is important to check the sleeping environment for any heat sources. The bed should not be too close to heating ducts as this can dry out the nasal passage. It is also a good idea to reduce the heat at night. It also helps to humidify the air in the room, especially if the weather is dry. Before going to bed, take a warm shower or inhale warm air using a vaporizer. You can even use a saline solution to moisten the nasal membranes. You can keep the membranes moist also by applying some petroleum jelly on the insides of the nose. Vitamin E oil and castor oil may also be used for this purpose.

Individuals who are prone to allergies may be at a higher risk for nosebleeds. Therefore it is advisable to avoid exposure to potential allergens. Children may suffer from nosebleeds as they have a tendency to pick the nose frequently.  Hence it is important to ensure that their fingernails are kept short at all times. Applying an ice pack on the outside of the nose also helps in curing nosebleeds. Bioflavonoids are known to be helpful in stopping nosebleeds. Therefore foods such as citrus fruits which are rich in bioflavonoids should be included in the diet. They make the blood vessels stronger and prevent tearing and rupture.

Frozen Shoulder Pain

Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It occurs when there is limited movement of the shoulder joint. When there is restricted motion, the capsule around the joint contracts and scar tissue starts developing. The exact causes of frozen shoulder are not understood completely and it often occurs due to unknown reasons. Some individuals experience frozen shoulder pain after a shoulder injury. There are also some factors that increase the risk of developing frozen shoulder.

The condition commonly occurs in individuals between the ages of 40 and 60 years. It is also seen to be more common in women. Diabetic individuals are known to be at a higher risk for developing the condition. This could be because the glucose molecules adhere to the collagen in the capsule of the shoulder joint. Also, those who undergo surgery on the shoulder may go through periods during which the use of the shoulder is limited and this may lead to frozen shoulder. Certain systemic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease may also be linked to an elevated risk for frozen shoulder. Individuals with poor posture may also be prone to developing frozen shoulder as when the shoulders are rounded continuously, the ligaments may shorten.

The most common signs and symptoms of frozen shoulder include pain and stiffness. The pain is usually experienced as a dull, achy sensation. Stiffness occurs due to inability to move the shoulder properly. Movements such as wearing clothes or reaching upwards to open a cabinet may become quite difficult. In most cases, frozen shoulder can lead to significant pain while sleeping due to increased pressure on the affected side.

Frozen Shoulder Pain Relief

There are many treatment options for frozen shoulder pain relief. Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections in the shoulder help to bring about quick relief. Physical therapy is often recommended for those who suffer from shoulder pain and stiffness. Such therapy helps to prevent stiffening of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones and also improves the range of motion. One of the best home remedies for frozen shoulder is to keep it warm. Warm compresses or heat packs may be placed over the affected shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes each time. This can be repeated at regular intervals during the day. Heat helps to loosen the muscles and relieves aches and soreness. You can also place the compress in the armpit for a few minutes as it will enable the heat to travel to the shoulder.

Alternating heat and cold compresses are also effective in treating pain. Sleeping can be quite difficult with frozen shoulder and a good way to solve this problem is to place an extra pillow beneath the affected shoulder. It is important to get good sleep at night as healing takes place in a more efficient manner. There are also special pillows available which are greatly beneficial for those who suffer from frozen shoulder. You can even try out massage for frozen shoulder. The pain and stiffness usually occurs because the surrounding muscles are tense and weak. Massage helps to ease away the stiffness and pain. It is best to get a massage done from a trained professional. In order to support the affected shoulder, you can wear a shoulder strap. However it is advisable to avoid strapping the shoulder for prolonged periods of time as it could worsen the stiffness.

Dietary supplements such as fish oil are believed to be helpful in alleviating joint pain and weakness. There are also some herbs such as St John’s Wort which are known to provide relief from inflammation. It is advisable to consult your doctor before using any of these remedies.

Home Remedies for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can occur due to a variety of factors. One of the most common causes of shoulder joint pain is a rotator cuff tear which occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff tear away from the bone. Other causes of shoulder pain include arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, shoulder dislocation and frozen shoulder. There are certain natural cures for shoulder pain which help in providing relief.

One of the most effective home remedies for shoulder pain is application of ice and heat. Place some ice cubes in a towel and hold it against the affected shoulder for about 20 minutes. This helps to alleviate inflammation. After a couple of days you can start using heat packs to soothe and loosen the sore muscles. Heat applications should also be done for about 20 minutes each time. To relieve shoulder pain, it is also important to maintain good posture. Rest is necessary when the body is healing from any kind of injury. As strength slowly returns to the shoulder, you can try out some gentle stretching exercises. This will keep the shoulder muscles limber and active. The herbal remedy, St John’s Wort is known to be effective in relieving pain and inflammation and can also be used in case of shoulder pain. Some people also obtain pain relief from alternative treatments such as acupuncture and aromatherapy.

Acupuncture stimulates certain pressure points on the body and thus eases pain and tension. Aromatherapy using essential oils such as lavender tea tree oil is also known to ease pain. A beneficial home remedy for shoulder pain involves the use of mint leaves. Apply some crushed mint leaves over the sore area to cool and relax the muscles.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

There are some common symptoms of shoulder pain which occur when there is injury or damage to the shoulder joint. Injuries such as rotator cuff tears, is likely to cause considerable amount of discomfort to the individual. The pain may worsen with movements such as lifting the arm overhead. Sleeping on the side of the painful shoulder may also cause significant discomfort. Weakness is also likely to occur due to shoulder problems. In some cases weakness may occur due to the pain, while in other cases it may occur due to tearing of the muscle. Activity can aggravate the weakness.

Some people also experience a popping or clicking sound in the shoulder area. This may occur when the torn rotator cuff rubs against the joint. The sound may also be heard when the shoulder goes in and out of the socket. Another common symptom of shoulder problems is stiffness. The pain and discomfort often causes the individual to stop using the shoulder and this leads to stiffness. This condition is also referred to as frozen shoulder. Stiffness may also occur in case of arthritis of the shoulder joints. Individuals who suffer from dislocations may experience looseness of the shoulder joint.

Treatments for shoulder pain may include various options such as medication, home care and surgery. Physical therapy is a form of treatment which is found to be extremely beneficial in case of shoulder pain. A physical therapist will recommend certain exercises that target the weakened shoulder and work on the muscles, tendons and joint to make it stronger and more flexible. One of the most common exercises for shoulder pain relief, which is often recommended by physical therapists and doctors, is to bend while standing so that the person is facing the ground. Allow the affected arm to hang down and then slowly make circular movements with it. This may be done about 5 to 10 times each day.