Treatment Options for Painful, Recurring Headaches

Posted on: 3 April 2017

If you are the type of person who likes to tough it out whenever you are ill, then you may decide to treat almost all of your medical problems at home. While this is something that is fine for colds, flus, and other mild ailments, you may need to seek emergency medical treatment if a serious problem arises. You should especially watch out for an emergency situation, like if you cannot stop a wound from bleeding. There are several serious bleeding situations to look out for. Seek out care if you experience one of them.

Nose Bleed That Will Not Stop

Nose bleeds are extremely common for some people. Most nosebleeds are caused by the drying of the mucus membranes and the disruption of one of the numerous small blood vessels that sit close to the surface of the nasal passages. Some types of trauma can cause the nose to bleed as well, and sometimes the nose will not stop bleeding. Believe it or not, this is an emergency situation.

If your nose will not stop bleeding, then there is a good chance that you have something called a posterior nosebleed. A posterior nosebleed happens when one of the blood vessels towards the back of your nose starts bleeding. This is where some of the bigger blood vessels are located. High blood pressure, a blow to the face, and bleeding disorders can cause the nosebleed to occur. When a posterior nosebleed develops, then the vessel often needs to be cauterized, and packing must be placed in the nose. 

It is hard to tell if you are experiencing a posterior nosebleed as opposed to an anterior bleed that occurs towards the front of the nose. However, if you place pressure on your nostrils and blood still comes pouring out after 15 or 30 minutes, then this signifies a problem. Also, if you have your head tipped slightly forward, but you feel blood dripping down the back of your throat, then this is an indication that the bleeding is far enough back in your nose that the blood is moving down your throat.

Sometimes, the nasal bleeding may be accompanied by hematemesis, which is the vomiting of blood. You can tell if you are vomiting blood because you will see red specks in your vomit or you may see what looks like coffee grounds in it.

Uncontrolled Rectal Bleeding

Anal or rectal bleeding can be extremely embarrassing. This is one reason why individuals may not want to seek help if they notice the problem. There are several reasons why a rectum may bleed, and the formation of hemorrhoids is one of them. Hemorrhoids should be treated to help them heal. While treatment can reduce the severity of the issue, the use of rough toilet paper, constipation, and a diet high in salt are just a few things that can make hemorrhoids worse. 

If a hemorrhoid worsens and becomes deeply ingrained in the anus, then the sore can reach the superior rectal artery. This artery branches off to the right and left sides of the anus. The blood vessel carries blood through the structure, as well as through the intestinal tract. There are two things that can complicate a hemorrhoid problem that involves the superior rectal artery. These things include a blood clot and a wide rupture in the blood vessel. 

Wide blood vessel ruptures can cause prolonged and serious bleeding. If you hold toilet paper to your rectum and the bleeding does not stop for 15 minutes, then seek out immediate assistance. The bleeding will often be accompanied by a feeling of faintness, so it is wise to ask a family member to take you to the local emergency room. If there is nobody available, then call an ambulance.