[NBH123]

I'm a fiften year old female, and I get nosebleeds frequently. It started about three summers ago, where I had a bad nosebleed that lasted 30 minutes, with blood that dropped with my heartbeat. Ever since then I've used simply saline, it helps keep my nose moist but I still get frequent nosebleeds, sometimes severe, other times not. Yesturday night, I was blowing my nose GENTLY and I got a nosebleed, it stopped after 5 minutes, but it happened again today. I'm thinking of cauterization. Does this help? And is it painful? Give me all the details possible, thank you.

[tickle]

Vinod K. Anand, MD, FACS
Cauterization of Nosebleeds
WHAT IS CAUTERIZATION FOR NOSE BLEED?
This is a procedure to stop persistent bleeding from a small vein or artery, usually in the front of the nose. An electrocautery needle or silvernitrate (a caustic agent), when applied to the bleeding point, burns the tissue slightly to seal the blood vessel. Cauterization take only a few
Minutes and is performed in the doctor's office or outpatient department under local anesthesia.
An uncooperative child may be admitted to the same day surgery facility for cauterization ifsedation or a general anesthetic is required.WHY IS IT PERFORMED?
The nose is endowed with a rich blood supply. This help to warm and humidify inhaled air on its way to the lungs. Children and young adults in particular are prone to spontaneous nose bleeds (epistaxis), most commonly from a single vein in the septum (partition wall) in the front of
The nostril. At examination, an engorged vein is often visible. Nose bleeds result from infection,
Drying of the nose lining, trauma -- especially nose picking. Blowing and sneezing because of a cold or allergic reaction, heavy coughing, and even vigorous exercise can cause epistaxis. If bleeding persists, cauterization may be required.
THE PROCEDURE
There is no special preparation for cauterization. The doctor examines each nostril with the light from a head mirror and a speculum, to look for the bleeding point and any other possible causes of bleeding. Blood may be taken to test for anemia or any clotting disorder. A roll of
Cotton impregnated with a local anesthetic agent is packed into the nostril. When the anesthetic has taken effect, the cotton roll is removed. The tissues surrounding the bleeding point, and then the vessel itself, are lightly touched with the silver nitrate stick or electrocautery needle. After a
Few minutes, you will be able to go home. No further treatment is necessary, but you must avoid any disturbance of the cauterized vein for about a week. You must not blow your nose, and, if you have to sneeze, try to keep your mouth open. Avoid strenuous work or heavy lifting; do not take aspirin or alcohol and do not smoke. You may be given lubricating nose drops to use while the nasal tissues heal. It may help to use a vaporizer at night until the feeling of congestion passes.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
There may be slight seepage or spot bleeding at first, but this should stop. If bleeding recurs, the vein will be recauterized after the tissues have healed.
1993. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. This leaflet is published as a public
Service. The material may be freely used so long as attribution is given to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-
Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. Alexandria, VA.

[Eileen1218]

Cauterization is done with a local anaesthetic and blood vessels are heat sealed by heat fusion. The degree of discomfort and unpleasantness is probably somewhat similar to drilling and filling by a dentist.

Before you resort to cauterization perhaps you might like to try and strengthen your blood vessels with citrus bioflavonoids that will strengthen your capillary walls. Citrus fruit such as oranges and mandarins are rich in citrus bioflavonoids or you could get a citrus bioflavonoid supplement. The combination of vitamin E and selenium also strengthens your blood vessels by strengthening the capillary walls of your blood vessels.