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Epistaxis, Sports Medicine

Alan Shahtaji, DO, CAQSM and Nicholas Sgrignoli, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Bleeding from injured nasal mucosa overlying a blood vessel

  • Characterized as either anterior or posterior

  • Affected persons usually do not seek medical attention, especially if bleeding...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Determine timing, frequency, laterality, and severity of nosebleed.

  • Quantify amount of blood loss.

  • Presence of nasal obstruction: may indicate a neoplasm, especially with recurrent blee...

TREATMENT

  • Anterior bleed:

    • Minor anterior nosebleeds may resolve without intervention prior to clinical evaluation or with initial tamponade.

  • Pretreatment/initial tamponade:

    • The patient should blow his or...

ONGOING CARE

  • Once epistaxis is controlled, conservative measures may prevent recurrent bleeding owing to local factors.

  • Refrain from activities that may stimulate bleeding:

    • Blowing or picking nose

    • Heavy ...

REFERENCES

1
Khan M, Conroy K, Ubayasiri K, et al. Initial assessment in the management of adult epistaxis: systematic review. J Laryngol Otol.  2017;131(12):1035–1055.
2
Seidel DU, Jacob L, Kostev ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Kucik CJ, Clenney T. Management of epistaxis. Am Fam Physician.  2005;71(2):305–311.

  • Schlosser RJ. Clinical practice. Epistaxis. N Engl J Med.  2009;360(8):784–789.

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Anterior nosebleeds often are controlled with tamponade, topical medications, and oral ice packs.

  • Athletes with an anterior bleed (80–90% of cases) without significant facial trauma, co...

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