by liz chui uci t-rap ss1 student presentation epistaxis
TRANSCRIPT
Background
Epistaxis is another name for what is commonly known as nose-bleeds
It is an acute hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx
Common ED complaint, but 90% of patients can be treated with
Occurs up to 60% of general population, but rarely leads to massive bleeding and death
Where does it happen?
• Two sources
•Anterior (more common)
•Posterior (typically common among old patients)
Causes
Many different causes – locally, systemically, and environmentally
Environmental causes include allergens and humidity
Can also be idiopathtic
Common local causes
Chronic sinusitisEpistaxis digitorum (nose picking)Foreign bodiesIntranasal neoplasm or polypsIrritants Medications RhinitisTrauma
Common systemic factors
HemophiliaHypertensionLeukemiaLiver disease (e.g., cirrhosis)MedicationsPlatelet dysfunction/Thrombocytopenia
Treatment
Flow of blood normally stops when the blood clots
To encourage blood clotting- Pinch the upper fleshy part of nose- Do so for 5-20 minutes- Tilt head forward can decrease the chance of
nausea and airway obstruction from swallowing blood
- Vasoconstrictive agents can also be used- Other products available to promote coagulation
Packing when simple treatment fails for anterior bleeding
•Anterior nasal cavity is packed from posterior to anterior with ribbon gauze that has petroleum jelly
•Bayonet forceps and a nasal speculum can be used to approximate accordion folding of gauze
•Each layer should be pressed down firmly before next layer is added
Bayonet forceps
Nasal speculum
Packing for posterior epitasis
• Done by Otolaryngologist
•A catheter is passed through the nostril and through the nasopharynx and out the mouth
•A gauze pack is at the end of the catheter
•The gauze pack is guide through the mouth and into the posterior nasal cavity
Prevention
Cooler houseVaporizer to
return humidity and moisture to the air
Nasal saline spray and water soluable jelly (especially for winter months)
Avoid picking the nose or blowing the nose too vigorously.
Do not strain to bend down or lift anything too heavy.
References
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0115/p305.htmlhttp://www.cgdms.org/emergmed/cases/
entblock1/entblockcase1.htmlhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/
article/003106.htmhttp://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/
nosebleed/hic_nosebleed_epistaxis.aspxhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/
art.asp?articlekey=3290