S.O. asks from Fort Wayne, IN on January 19, 2009
Nosebleeds in Teenage Son
My 16 yr. old son is beginning to have heavy nosebleeds again. We went thru this 2 years ago, and he ended up having a cauterization. All was good for 2 yrs., now they are starting up. Heavy nosebleeds in the same nostril.
Last ENT was a Pediatric ENT, who was knowledgeable. It was an embarrassing experience for him as a 14 yr. old to go to the office filled with Barney and Dora.
If this keeps up, we need to go to see someone or try something to stop these. He has BEGGED to not go to the Ped. ENT, but I don't know of others. Suggestions on how to get these to stop?
So What Happened?™
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. You convinced me. I should not feel bad about asking for another ENT referral, since the Ped ENT place is "embarrassing." Even though Mom thinks the Ped ENT is great!
Have tried humidifier, air filter and vaseline or saline up the nose. But great suggestions on looking at his diet or alternative medicine. I forgot about chiropractic. Much of the 2 years he had no nosebleeds he was getting adjusted to rehab his neck from a car accident. He finished that treatment a couple months ago. Some great ideas---and of course, we should go get another x-ray to rule out a sinus issue. thanks all.
Featured Answers
B.T. answers from El Paso on January 20, 2009
I to suffered from nosebleeds at one point...What worked for me, believe it or not, was Jello...Try giving it to him about 2xs a week. Its just a home remedy, but it helped me.
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M.S. answers from Killeen on January 20, 2009
Hi S......I so know what you are dealing with when you speak of the preferences of teenagers (especially the older ones like your son). He is right, he feels like an adult and going to a ped ent isn't great for his image. I got a family doctor that deals with the entire family and then refers members out to adult practitioners (by request) as needed. That way we don' have to deal with the Ped thing. They love it (I have gone through 3 teens) and they get to bed treated like the young adult they are. Good luck.
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L.A. answers from Austin on January 19, 2009
Does he bleed down his throat mostly or out of his nose mostly?
If it is down his throat, he needs to see a doctor.
Dry air is the main reason for nose bleeds that bleed out the front of the nose. You may need to get a humidifier and have him use it each evening when he gets home and again right before bed.
Of course with the pollen so bad right now, today there was so much cedar pollen they could not calculate it in Austin, we are all wiping our noses and trying to clear out our noses. Consider purchasing a Hunter air filter for his bedroom and change out the filters every 3 days. It could be a blood vessel has broken and cannot heal.
If this is happening more than once a week he needs to see a doctor. Take him to your doctor. I did not even look at where you live, but my sister has been taking her kids to the Heart Hospital of Austin (next to Central Market on N. Lamar) and they have been great. They can see any kind of patient and they are fast. No long waits.
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C.A. answers from San Antonio on January 20, 2009
Since he has not had these in 2 yrs, it could be diet related, maybe season (indoor dryness). You may want to try some of these in the meantime, while looking for ENT. Nosebleeds may happen with vitamin deficiency such as calcium and vitamin K (I like Solgar, because they sell these individually). Avoid dairy, it is very mucous producing and not the best source of calcium (www.notmilk.com). For calcium, it is best to get one with magnesium and vitamin d (no gelatin, or d&c colors), for maximum absorbability it is best to take at night because that is when the body is rebuilding and taking in calcium. You may also want to look into avoiding things with vitamin e (lotions and hand sanitizers), as they tend to thin the blood, much like asprin. He may be deficient in other vitamins as well, but most have vitamin e, which should be fine (but would take note if he just started taking one & might want to hold off on this til he gets calcium and K) if it is in a multi-vitamin however make sure the one you buy has d-tocopherol (dl-tocopherol is synthetic and may be harmful). Also, I have been a flight attendant for 20 yrs and this seems to work like a charm...sit straight up, lean slightly forward and apply direct, firm pressure with thumb and forefinger middle knuckle for about 5- 10 minutes. I hope this helps. C
www.mybiopro.com/claudia13 (learn how to protect your children from cell phone radiation and EMF's)
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C.H. answers from Houston on January 20, 2009
Hi S., consider taking your DS to a naturopathic dr. (ND). His problem could be considered a "heat"(not fever) condition. I was given herbs caps to "clear the heat". Worked. Pain free. HTH. Peace, C.
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P.B. answers from Houston on January 20, 2009
Not certain where you live, but Jeff Chimenti in The Woodlands is a FABULOUS ENT. His phone number is ###-###-####. We were his neighbor first, then he opened his own practice, my daughter & husband both had tubes put in their ears and he's been our Dr. for 14 years. He LISTENS and he's extremely knowledgeable. Tell him P. sent you!!
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J.H. answers from Houston on January 20, 2009
Why don't you ask the ENT for a referral to an adult ENT. Of course, he won't want to lose a patient, but as a professional he knows that a 14 year old is uncomfortable in a room full of babies (altho I had a friend once who wnet to her Ped. for her pre-marital checkup, just because he was the only Dr. she had ever been to.) He has friends he can refer you to, but if he is a jerk who refuses, just call the Harris County Medical Association and ask for a list of ENTs in your area.
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L.B. answers from Corpus Christi on January 20, 2009
I understand your son wanting to go some place for adults, my kids did the same thing. Call your Dr.'s office and ask who they would recommend for your son to see. You will need to sign some papers for them to send the records over also. Good luck.
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D.M. answers from Houston on January 20, 2009
Dr. Toung in the Cypress Medical Center was fantastic with my 4yo, but he handles people of all ages. Our pedi recommended him when our son had fluid on his ears. No Barney or Dora I promise! The staff was fantastic! Very understanding, and Dr. Toung took the time to explain everything to me without me having to ask 100 questions.
I feel for you both. My sis had awful nosebleeds when we were kids- they'd come on out of nowhere. I hope he is able to get the treatment he needs to stop it. My sis grew out of it around your son's age. Have you considered alternative treatments? I also have a fantastic chiropractor & naturopath! =o)
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