Imagine you are hit by a ball while playing a game like cricket or rugby, or a small child falls while playing, or you have a car accident... Suddenly your nose starts bleeding and it hurts a lot. At a time like this, it is normal to have fear and doubt, thinking, "Oh, I don't know if my nose is broken." This is a very common accident to the face. So don't be afraid. If you have any doubts, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. Let's talk about this clearly today.
What does it really mean to break a nose?
Simply put, a broken nose, or in medical terms, a nasal fracture, is a crack or break in the bone above our nose, namely the bridge of the nose. This is one of the most common injuries to the face. Sometimes you may not be able to tell if your nose is broken or not. Therefore, if you have any doubts, it is best to see a doctor as soon
as possible without waiting. This will help prevent complications that may arise later.
What are the symptoms of a broken nose?
If you have an accident with your nose, be on the lookout for these symptoms. If you have one or more of these, it's more likely that your nose is broken.
If you have these symptoms, see your doctor after 3-5 days. If you have any of these, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately! | Symptom | Description |
|---|
| Swelling and shape change | The nose is swollen, pulled, or looks different in shape than usual. |
| Pain | I feel a sharp pain when I touch my nose. |
| Bleeding | Nosebleed. |
| Bruises under the eyes | Blue/black bruises appear around or under the eyes. |
| Difficulty breathing | It's hard to breathe because my nose feels blocked. |
| Mucus discharge | A mucus-like liquid keeps flowing from my nose. |
| A 'breaking' sound | When you touch your nose, you hear a sound like 'milk milk' coming from inside. |
- If the pain and swelling do not subside.
- If the nose looks droopy after the swelling goes down.
- If you still have difficulty breathing after the swelling goes down.
- If you have frequent nosebleeds.
- If you have a fever.
|
- If you have nasal pain along with a severe headache, neck pain, vomiting , or loss of consciousness.
- If you have severe difficulty breathing.
- If you can't stop the nosebleed .
- If you have a clear, watery discharge from your nose (this could be a sign of brain damage and is an emergency).
|
Causes and risk factors for a broken nose
A broken nose can happen from anything, including a car or bike accident, a sports accident, a fight, a fall, or even being slammed against a door. For some people, this risk is a little higher.
- Playing certain sports: Especially for those who play contact sports like rugby and football.
- Cycling : Especially if you ride without a helmet.
- Lifting weights : Sometimes lifting weights incorrectly can cause loss of balance and accidents.
- Riding in vehicles without seat belts: In the event of an accident, there is a greater chance of hitting your face on the front seat.
First aid that can be done before seeing a doctor
There are a few things you can do immediately after an accident. These can help stop the bleeding and reduce pain and swelling.
Stop the bleeding.
- Sit, don't recline: your head should be higher than your heart.
- Lean forward: Don't lean back. Doing so can cause blood to flow down your throat. Lean forward and let the blood drain out.
- Press the bridge of your nose: Use your thumb and index finger to firmly press the lower bridge of your nose and hold for 5 minutes.
- If the bleeding does not stop, keep pressing for another 10 minutes .
Reduce pain
- You can take a painkiller. For example, take a medicine like `( Paracetamol )` or `( Ibuprofen )` according to the instructions on the package. However, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking any medicine.
- When sleeping, sleep with one or two extra pillows and keep your head elevated.
Control swelling.
- Wrap an ice pack in a towel.
- Place it on your nose for 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 minutes. Repeat this.
Important: Do not press the ice pack against your nose. Doing so can increase the risk. Just apply it slowly and
completely .
- Applying ice in this manner at least four times a day for the first two days after the accident can greatly reduce swelling.
How do you test this, doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, they will do these things to find out if your nose is broken.
- You are asked how the accident happened.
- He touches the area around and above the nose very slowly .
- You can see inside the nose.
- Check for bruises, cuts, or swelling elsewhere on the face.
- Your eyes, jawbone, and teeth will be checked.
Most of the time, an
X-ray is not needed
to diagnose a broken nose. However, if the doctor suspects a fracture of another bone in the face, he or she may order an
X-ray or
CT scan .
What are the treatments for a broken nose?
If your doctor confirms that your nose is broken, you may need to wait a while for the swelling to go down before you can start treatment. Then, they will decide whether or not to reconstruct your nose. There are two main treatment options. Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you based on the nature of your injury.
Manual Realignment (Nose Correction Without Surgery)
This is usually done
within 1 or 2 weeks of the accident. If it happens later, the bones will start to fuse together, making it difficult to repair. During this procedure, your doctor will give you pain medication and insert a flat instrument called a speculum into your nostrils to open them up. Then, using a special instrument, the broken bones and cartilage will be put back in place. The nose will then be packed inside and out, and a dressing will be applied to keep it in shape. Antibiotics may also be given to prevent infection.
Nose surgery
If your broken nose is serious, or if you have been out of treatment for more than two weeks, your doctor may decide to perform surgery. This involves realigning the broken bones and, if necessary, reshaping the nose. Sometimes, if you have difficulty breathing, another surgery may be done at the same time as this surgery. In most cases, you can go home the same day. However, you may need to stay home for about a week due to swelling and bruising.
Take-Home Message
- Don't panic if you have an accident with your nose. First, do the first aid we talked about.
- If the pain and swelling do not subside, or if the nose appears to be drooping, be sure to see a doctor.
- If you have a severe headache, bleeding that won't stop, or a clear, watery discharge from your nose, it's an emergency. Go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- The sooner a broken nose is treated, the better the results. So seek medical advice without delay.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Broken nose, broken nasal bone, nosebleed, nose pain, first aid, emergency treatment, nose surgery
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