Q I thought it was post-nasal drip, but there was blood mixed in the secretions. Can I come straight to the Korean medicine clinic?
A No. Blood-tinged nasal secretions can be a warning sign of a malignant tumor of the nasal cavity or sinuses, a vascular abnormality, or a bleeding disorder. Please first get a nasal endoscopy and imaging examination at an ENT clinic or specialized ENT hospital.
Detailed Answer
Post-nasal drip secretions are generally clear, yellow, or white. When pink, red, or brown blood-tinged secretions are present, the following causes must be differentiated: rupture of a blood vessel in the nasal cavity (mixed in after a nosebleed, relatively benign), a malignant tumor of the nasal cavity or sinuses (the most important condition to rule out), a bleeding tendency (thrombocytopenia, anticoagulant use), and nasopharyngeal cancer (possibly accompanied by nasal congestion, tinnitus, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes). In particular, if blood-tinged secretions persist on only one side, or are accompanied by facial pain or numbness or a neck mass, immediate ENT consultation is needed. The correct order is to start Korean medicine treatment only after ruling out malignant causes.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At the Korean medicine clinic as well, we always check for a history of blood-tinged secretions at the first visit and request that you bring your ENT results. Safe differentiation is the starting point of treatment.
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