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The role of parenting is ongoing and I think all parents are aware of that. With each age and phase of our children’s development our role does not stop - it just changes. This was exemplified again yesterday for me.
It was like most Saturdays, a day for football matches. My son was asked to play for 2 teams. One match started at noon and the other at 5:30pm. He needed to arrive 1 ½ hours before. After he left home at 10:15 am - I would only see him on the fields. Both matches were in our vicinity so he could cycle to the destinations. After the second match, my son would join friends for dinner.
My son arrived home earlier than I had expected, around 10:00 pm. He said he was tired and that was understandable, after playing 1 ½ matches. He went straight to his room like most teenagers and I thought I would not see him for the rest of the evening. At around midnight, he came out of his room and went to the refrigerator. That is nothing unusual but for whatever reason I asked whether he was ok. He then told me that he returned earlier because he felt dizzy and had not eaten. He also had a terrible headache. Whilst speaking to me, I noticed that he was holding onto the kitchen counter. I told him to sit down and I would get him something to eat. He asked for plain yoghurt which I gave him, then he added muesli. I placed water in the kettle to make tea. It is always soothing.
I could see that he didn't look well and did not feel like talking but I felt I needed to know more.
He has had a concussion before - so I asked whether the headaches were similar in nature. He shook his headache indicating “No”.
I asked whether he had eaten between matches. He indicated “No” again.
I asked him whether he drank after the first match, the answer was “Yes”.
Then I saw blood running from his left nostril, down his face and into the dish with the yoghurt, over his left hand and onto the table. The blood was pouring like a tap. I immediately told him to lean forward and hold the soft area in the middle of his nostrils. I got a roll of tissue and used some to catch the issuing blood. No tissue was placed in his nose.
It was very overwhelming but neither of us were scared as he had nosebleeds when he was younger. I told him to continue to hold the middle area of the nose and if the flow of blood did not stop after a while, we would go to the hospital. Luckily after about 5 minutes it stopped. He could clean his face, we cleaned up the table, throw away the yoghurt etc.
My son’s headache lessened a bit then I learnt some more about his day. He believed that he had not drunk enough during the day. He could have been dehydrated. However, it is winter here and the air indoors tends to be drier. His nose could be irritated. I stayed up long past midnight to ensure that neither the nose bleeding nor the dizziness would recur.
Thankfully my son was fine, slept well and had a normal day today. He thanked me this morning for helping him. Although I believe he knew what to do, I think it was just felt comforting that I was there.
This was our situation and most often nosebleeds are not dangerous. However they can be. I am familiar with basic first aid but if someone is not familiar -
it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
In addition, if someone gets nosebleeds frequently, is using any medication or has any sickness/diseases - it is best to go to the hospital immediately.
Nosebleeds can be caused by a variety of reasons:
- Irritation due to allergies, colds, sneezing or sinus problems
- Very cold or dry air
- Blowing the nose very hard, or picking the nose
- Injury to nose, including a broken nose or an object stuck in the - Sinus or pituitary surgery
- Deviated septum (tissue that divides the nose into 2 nostrils)
- Chemical irritants including medicines or drugs that are sprayed or snorted
- Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays
- Oxygen treatment through nasal canals
- Snorting cocaine
To stop a nosebleed:
- Sit down and gently squeeze the soft portion of the nose between your thumb and finger (so that the nostrils are closed) for a full 10 minutes.
- Lean forward to avoid swallowing the blood and breathe through your mouth.
- Wait at least 10 minutes before checking if the bleeding has stopped. Be sure to allow enough time for the bleeding to stop.
It may help to apply cold compresses or ice across the bridge of the nose. Do not pack the inside of the nose with gauze.
Lying down with a nosebleed is not recommended. You should avoid sniffing or blowing your nose for several hours after a nosebleed.
Get emergency care if:
- Bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes.
- Nose bleeding occurs after a head injury. This may suggest a skull fracture, and x-rays or other imaging should be taken.
- Your nose may be broken (for example, it looks crooked after a hit to the nose or other injury).
- You are taking medicines to prevent your blood from clotting (blood thinners).
- You have had nosebleeds in the past that needed specialist care to treat.
I hope this incident and me sharing this experience with you, is informative and can be helpful to someone.
I hope you are having a great Sunday.