Dealing with frequent nosebleeds? Find out what could be to blame.

Getting a nosebleed every once in a while is pretty common; however, if you find yourself dealing with them rather regularly then you may be wondering what’s going on. Our Washington DC otolaryngologist Dr. William Bond, Jr. is here to provide a little insight into what could be happening and when you might want to come in for treatment.

What are the causes of a nosebleed?

One of the most obvious causes of a nosebleed is picking at the skin. Nasal tissue is thin and sensitive and nails can easily scratch or damage the skin. Besides trauma, nosebleeds may also be caused by:

• Allergies
• Dry air (often due to the winter)
• An infection (e.g. common cold)
• Medications (e.g. blood thinners)
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• High blood pressure
• Pregnancy
• Broken nose
• Deviated septum

In most cases, a nosebleed isn’t a serious problem or cause for concern. Even if it’s not an emergency, it’s a good idea that you visit our Washington, DC ENT doctor if you are noticing nosebleeds more regularly or if you are having difficulty stopping your nose from bleeding. In this case, there might be an underlying condition or infection that needs to be addressed.

How do you stop a nosebleed?

There is a lot of misinformation out there about how to stop a nosebleed. While some people may tell you to lean back, you actually want to do the opposite. You will want to lean forward to prevent swallowing blood. Next, pinch your nostrils shut, breathe through your mouth and hold your nose for up to 10 minutes. If this doesn’t stop the bleeding, then try this again until the bleeding stop.

If you are noticing frequent or severe nosebleeds that you just can’t seem to get under control then it’s time you called our Washington, DC ENT specialist to find out what we can do to help.

Sinus infections are painful. You have sinuses around your eyes and behind your nose, any of which can harbor an infection. The first sign you may have a sinus infection is a dull, throbbing pain in the area of your sinuses. You may also experience:

• Pain in your upper jaws or teeth, eyes, nose or forehead
• A yellowish-green discharge when you blow your nose
• Congestion caused from swelling in your sinuses
• Severe headaches and earaches
• A sore throat and persistent cough

• Use a humidifier, especially in your bedroom; this keeps the air in your house moist, which soothes your sinuses. Dry air irritates your nasal passages and can cause increased mucus production, resulting in congestion and a sinus infection.
• Try an over-the-counter nasal irrigation kit; these kits, when used daily, can keep your nasal passages clean and free of mucus so bacteria won’t have a place to breed, causing a sinus infection. The saline solution also works to soothe your nasal passages.
• Wash your hands often, and don’t touch your face, nose, mouth or eyes; this helps to prevent spreading germs and bacteria to other places of your body.
• Stop smoking, because it increases mucus production and irritates your sinuses, providing an environment perfect for bacteria.
• Avoid alcohol, because alcohol can make your sinuses irritated and swollen, resulting in a sinus infection.
• Eat healthy and take your vitamins, especially vitamin C, and get sufficient exercise to keep your immune system at its peak so you can fight off a sinus infection.

It’s never too early to seek help for your allergies. Allergies can affect your way of life, at all times of the year. During springtime, you may feel the effects of hay fever. In winter, when you are indoors for long periods, you may suffer from mold allergies. If you have pets, you already know how pet dander can cause you problems. You can recognize an allergy if you have itchy watery eyes, a runny nose and sneezing.

• Taking over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants
• Irrigating your nasal passages with saline and water
• Trying linens and pillowcases that are allergy-proof
• Placing allergy or HEPA filters in your house, especially your bedroom

• Nasal congestion, a runny nose and watery eyes
• Coughing, wheezing or chest congestion
• A rash, itchy skin or eczema
• An itchy throat, nose or eyes

• Skin tests- during which tiny amounts of different allergens are injected just under your skin; you will know you are allergic to the substance if you see swelling or a rash within 20 minutes.
• Challenge tests- used to diagnose medication and food allergies, during which you inhale or ingest a tiny amount of allergen to test for a reaction
• Blood tests- a sample of your blood is sent to a laboratory where testing is completed

Do you have a condition that may require head and neck surgery? Our Washington, DC, ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. William Bond, discusses head and neck surgery and explains symptoms you shouldn't ignore.

When is head and neck surgery needed?

Head and neck surgery is used to treat both benign (non-cancerous) and cancerous tumors. Cancer can affect any area of your head and neck, but typically develops in your parotid gland, submandibular gland, larynx, ear, eye, thyroid or parathyroid glands or tongue.

What symptoms will I notice if I need head or neck surgery?

In some cases, you'll actually see and feel a lump on your head or neck. In others, the symptoms will be much more subtle. Everyone experiences pain in the head or neck from time to time, but when it occurs often, it may be a sign of a problem. Cancer can cause a chronic cough or hoarseness or may even make it difficult to breathe or swallow. You can have cancer even if you don't have a large lump. For example, sores that won't go away or canker sores in the mouth that don't heal may be caused by cancer, although other conditions or diseases may be responsible for the problem, such as a blood disease or vitamin deficiencies. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to schedule an appointment with our Washington office as soon as possible.

What other types of surgery do ENTs perform?

Surgery may be recommended for other ear, nose and throat conditions when more conservative treatment methods aren't effective. If you have chronic sinusitis, a minor surgical procedure can remove inflamed tissues in your sinuses and remove blockages. In addition to sinus surgery, ENTs also use surgery to treat other infections and facial trauma, correct facial deformities and place tubes in the ears of children who suffer from frequent ear infections.

Are you concerned about a lump, chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or other symptoms? Find out if you need head and neck surgery by scheduling an appointment with Washington, DC, ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Bond at (202) 726-7770.

If you think you might be losing your hearing, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) more than 30% of adults over 65 have some degree of hearing loss. That includes 14% of people between the ages of 45 and 64 have some degree of hearing difficulty.

• Hear muffled speech or sounds
• Have a problem understanding individual words
• Need people to speak more loudly or slowly
• Have to turn up the television or radio
• Withdraw from social events or conversations

• Protect your ears by wearing earplugs or earmuffs if you are in a loud workplace
• Have your hearing tested by an audiologist or ENT specialist. Current recommendations are to have your hearing tested at least every 10 years through age 50, and every three years after age 50.
• Protect your ears from damaging loud noises in your daily activities and recreation, especially listening to rock concerts, shooting guns or riding in loud vehicles.
• Take breaks from continuous loud noises.