"Heavy Nose Bleed - How should it be treated"

I arrived at A&E reception. After some basic registration I was directed to a ward/unit. I was shown to a private enclosure and a Junior Doctor came to see me. We spoke about the reoccurrence of nose bleeds which had occurred 12 months before and lasted just over a week. I was told that in old age (I'm 70) I can expect such problems occuring, but on inspection the nose seemed to be in satisfacory condition. My breathing was checked as was my abdomen and blood pressure and oxygen content, all ok. But nose bleeds are debilitating in that one hand pinches the nose whilst the other holds an ice pack against the nose, but the doctor came up with a nose peg that a senior doctor had shown them sometime before. It consisted of two wooden spatulars taped together a third of the way along. The spatulars are forced apart and clipped onto the nose from the front immediately below the boney bridge of the nose. The nostrels are squashed flat and blood is contained within the nose. It is a brilliant tool because I have my hands free to clear up any mess. The only problem is that one looks like Pinnochio with a wooden nose.

I sometimes think it best to let the nose bleed for a few seconds to release any pressure in the flow befor clipping the nose: if the blood can't escape it flows backwards to the throat and swallowing blood has its problems.

At present, I have a nose bleed each morning as soon as I get up but once stopped, I have a clear day, until the next one. Sorry about any spelling mistakes.