SEVERE nose bleed

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

I was diving on Friday and Saturday. I flew back home on an airplane on Monday morning.

Just before I had the most severe nose bleed I have ever had. I thought I was hemmoraging (sp??). All I had done was to blow my nose. Not too hard. But as soon as I did, the tissue was covered in blood, and the bleeding didn't stop for a good 5 minutes. And the flow of blood was pretty heavy (for the nose at least).

Could this have anything to do with the dives? Could it be a sinus squeeze with a delayed reaction?

 

[ArcticDiver]

There may be a linkage. BUT, the real question is what kind of damage there is. We've got some really qualified people on this Board. But, even they would have a hard time with doing something over the internet.

So, hike yourself down to your primary care type for an exam. If that person doesn't have any experience don't hesitate to ask for a referral to someone who has hyperbaric training. You may need to consult an ENT. But, let the person who knows you best take a look first.

Of course, you understand that this is "internet advise" and such advise, regardless of source may be worth exactly what it cost you. So, your best bet is to seek in person medical care sooner, rather than later.

 

[paradicio]

Of course, you understand that this is "internet advise" and such advise, regardless of source may be worth exactly what it cost you. So, your best bet is to seek in person medical care sooner, rather than later.

And that's the best advice you're gonna get.

Let us know what the Dr. says when you get back.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

I'm going to call my doctor and see if he has any experience with diving "issues". If not, I may call up DAN and see if they can recommend someone in my area (NYC). Since I am a paying member of DAN, I would think they could steer me in the right direction.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

OH, and THANKS!!!

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

My doctor doesn't deal with diving issues, so I called DAN. The DAN medic asked if I had any issues with equalizing. I did not.

I informed him that I had good ascents with safety stops.

He said it's highly unlikely it's nitrogen related.

I'm going to check with my dive shop to make sure I'm wearing my mask properly and that the fit is good. Although the DAN medic said if the mask wasn't fitting properly, I'd be pretty miserable on the dive.

He then said it's probably due to the dry heat in the NYC buildings during the winter. I think I'll start to use my saline mister for a few days.

At least it's not dive related! Time to get out the humidifier for my bedroom!!

 

[Web Monkey]

He then said it's probably due to the dry heat in the NYC buildings during the winter. I think I'll start to use my saline mister for a few days.

At least it's not dive related! Time to get out the humidifier for my bedroom!!

The "dry heat" thing sounds like a pretty lame guess on their part.

You should still get checked out in person, probably by an ENT doc.

Terry

 

[miketsp]

I was diving on Friday and Saturday. I flew back home on an airplane on Monday morning.

Just before I had the most severe nose bleed I have ever had. I thought I was hemmoraging (sp??). All I had done was to blow my nose. Not too hard. But as soon as I did, the tissue was covered in blood, and the bleeding didn't stop for a good 5 minutes. And the flow of blood was pretty heavy (for the nose at least).

Could this have anything to do with the dives? Could it be a sinus squeeze with a delayed reaction?

How long was the flight?
How often do you fly?

I have to do a lot of long flights 5+ hours and the very low cabin humidity really dries out my sinuses. For a couple of days afterwards even a slight nose blow will produce profuse bleeding. It looks a lot worse than it is and takes a good couple of minutes to stop.

I only get these symptoms after flying. The airconditioning is often worse than the dryest desert.

I've consulted more than one ENT and there is an option to cauterize the sensitive area but they wouldn't recommend it due to the extension. So I live with it.

The "dry heat" thing sounds like a pretty lame guess on their part.
..snip..
Terry

Nothing "lame" about a dry environment causing this symptom. There are a lot of us sufferers!

 

[Web Monkey]

Nothing "lame" about a dry environment causing this symptom. There are a lot of us sufferers!

I'm not saying it's impossible that the problem is dry air, I'm saying that it's impossible for anybody (even a DAN Medic) to really know what's going on without taking a look at it.

If it was my nose, somebody on the phone saying "probably dry air" wouldn't be a definitive enough diagnosis.

Terry

 

[ArcticDiver]

My doctor doesn't deal with diving issues, so I called DAN. The DAN medic asked if I had any issues with equalizing. I did not.

I informed him that I had good ascents with safety stops.

He said it's highly unlikely it's nitrogen related.

I'm going to check with my dive shop to make sure I'm wearing my mask properly and that the fit is good. Although the DAN medic said if the mask wasn't fitting properly, I'd be pretty miserable on the dive.

He then said it's probably due to the dry heat in the NYC buildings during the winter. I think I'll start to use my saline mister for a few days.

At least it's not dive related! Time to get out the humidifier for my bedroom!!

You are starting off on the correct path. But, don't stop now. Ask DAN for a referral to qualified ENT in your area. Or, lacking that contact a Flight Doc in your area. You can get that referral through the FAA. While the connection isn't clear at first glance, the fact is that Flight Medical Examiners are trained in hyperbarics.

It might be left overs from damage during diving, it might be the effects of dry air, it might be.....

Whatever it is it was severe enough and alarming enough for you to post about. That makes it important enough to get a hands on examination by some knowledgable professional.