Rhinorrhea can occur in people of any age and is one of the common clinical symptoms and emergencies in otolaryngology. It is one of the common symptoms of nasal sinus diseases as well as one of the symptoms of certain systemic or adjacent structural lesions of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Among them, geriatric rhinorrhea is a concern, and this time we will talk about the characteristics and prevention of geriatric rhinorrhea.
1, the characteristics of elderly rhinorrhea 1, the elderly because of the atrophy of the glands in the nasal cavity, secretion reduction, vascular sclerosis, increased brittleness, capillary rupture easily caused by rhinorrhea. Nasal-nasopharyngeal plexus: In the elderly, there is a superficial and dilated posterior nasal venous plexus in the posterior part of the lower nasal tract near the nasopharynx, which is often the site of posterior nasal bleeding, called Wu’s nasal-nasopharyngeal plexus. The superficial, thin-walled and fibrous wall degeneration are characteristic. Now it is found that arterial bleeding from the anterior and posterior nasal septum is also common.
2, Hypertension and arteriosclerosis are common causes of nasal bleeding in the elderly. The characteristics of cerebral blood flow and the decline of brain autoregulation in the elderly, when suffering from cardiovascular disease, can easily cause rhinorrhea. This kind of bleeding is light and heavy at times, and is related to blood pressure fluctuations, which is a signal of elevated blood pressure.
3.The elderly can cause vitamin c, vitamin K or calcium deficiency due to poor gastrointestinal absorption, all of which are among the causes of nosebleeds in the elderly.
4.Rhinorrhea is also related to mental stimulation, long-term smoking and alcohol consumption.
5.Where the age of 40 years or older, nasal cavity often repeatedly a small amount of bleeding or blood in the snot, often may be related to the nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx malignant tumors.
6.Nasal bleeding in the elderly has the characteristics of recurrent, not easy to stop and bleeding violently, easy to cause complications of heart, brain and lung, and more dangerous. Often in the early morning or late at night suddenly from one side of the nostril out of the blood, the onset of fierce.
Prevention and treatment of nosebleeds in the elderly: a diet: 1 regular diet, a small number of meals: the elderly should eat three meals a day regularly, on time to provide sufficient energy for the body to enhance the ability to defend against the cold, reducing the chances of nosebleeds. At the same time, the elderly should have a small number of meals, so as not to increase intra-abdominal pressure due to satiety, which will lead to an increase in blood pressure and cause nosebleeds. 2 nutritious, light and easy to digest: the elderly should achieve “three high and one rich” diet, that is, high calorie, high protein, high vitamin and attention to increase the intake of iron-rich foods, such as dairy, eggs, pork liver, soybean products, lean meat, and so on. 3 Drink more water and soup: Drinking more water and soup can increase blood volume, reduce blood viscosity, and moisten the nasal cavity to avoid excessive dryness and reduce the occurrence of nasal bleeding. The elderly should drink more than 1800ml of water a day in winter, and it is appropriate to drink some hot soup before or after each meal.
Second life: 1. Winter is the high season of nasal bleeding in the elderly. In addition to pay attention to warmth and moisturizing, strengthen the protection of the nose, use oil nose drops when the nasal cavity is dry and active prevention and control of hypertension.
2. Prevent constipation: Older people should pay attention to eating more cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits to increase the intake of crude fiber. At the same time, the elderly should eat more food with laxative effect such as walnuts, pine nuts, bananas, bean sprouts, or drink a cup of hot milk or a small cup of honey water every night before bed to promote defecation and prevent constipation from becoming a direct cause of rhinorrhea.
3. Keep a good mind and spirit, avoid over-excited thoughts and behaviors. Exercise appropriately to enhance physical fitness. (Walk, listen to music) Three emergency guide: Do not do not panic when nasal bleeding, use your fingers to press the bleeding side and nose, you can also apply ice to the nose, if necessary, use clean toilet paper into the nasal cavity and then press, bleeding more than immediately sent to the hospital to deal with.