Nasal Symptoms Associated With Cocaine Abuse
If you’re wondering what to look out for in the case of nose damage caused by cocaine use, you’re not alone. Most cocaine users prefer to snort their drug because it produces the longest lasting high. This method, however, can lead to extensive nose damage, some of which may be permanent. The good news is that these symptoms are relatively rare. Learn how to spot these signs and prevent them before they happen.
Symptoms
People who use cocaine often experience coke nose and sinus infections. This is because cocaine affects the blood vessels in the nose, causing them to shrink and burst. Nasal discharge may also travel to the lungs, causing harmful substances to enter the body. Cocaine also damages the septum, the cartilage wall separating the nostrils. This can lead to nasal congestion and bleeding, and even choking.
In some severe cases, cocaine can lead to a hole in the nose. The hole can be irritated, bleeding, or a combination of the two. If the hole is large enough, a plastic surgery is required to repair it. More severe damage can occur if the septum collapses completely. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit a doctor immediately. Leaving it any longer may cause permanent damage.
Causes
One of the most common problems that can occur when a person is abusing cocaine is nasal symptoms. The damage to the nose will only get worse with continued cocaine use. The nose is made of soft cartilaginous tissue, and cocaine can cause these tissues to become perforated or to tear. As a result, the nose can suffer from infections, sores, and breathing problems. It is best to visit a doctor for any nasal symptoms associated with cocaine abuse.
Nasal congestion is usually worse at night when the user is lying down. To ease congestion, it is best to elevate the head. You can also use nasal strips to open up the nostrils. In severe cases, cocaine can cause nasal necrosis. Nasal necrosis refers to the damage and death of cells in the nose. Nasal necrosis can cause bleeding, scabbing, and infections.
Treatment
Drug abusers are frequently diagnosed with nasal and sinus infections. As a result, the nose can collapse. It can also develop a hole in the septum, a piece of cartilage, bone, or tissue that separates the two sides of the nose. Because the septum provides important support to the nose, it is often weakened, and the result can be chronic pain and infection. A hole in the septum can even cause the nasal valve to collapse.
Nasal congestion and sinus infections can occur when people use cocaine. This is because cocaine irritates the nasal tissues and sinuses. If left untreated, these infections can become severe and spread to other parts of the body. Cocaine can cause necrotizing sinusitis, a serious infection that can destroy the sinuses and surrounding structures. The condition can be fatal. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options for nasal symptoms associated with cocaine use.
Prevention
Preventing the nose from becoming runny or blocked after cocaine abuse is essential to the treatment of a runny nose. As a result of cocaine abuse, blood vessels in the nose will shrink, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the tissues. This results in swollen nasal passages, which cause a persistent drip. In addition, cocaine will damage the mucous membrane, making it more prone to bacterial and viral infections.
Other common nasal symptoms associated with cocaine use are a hole in the septum, which is the cartilage, bone, and tissue that divides the two sides of the nose. Cocaine use can cause a hole in the septum, which can lead to breathing problems, chronic infections, and pain. A hole in the septum may also cause the collapse of the nasal valve, making it more difficult to breathe. If this happens, a person may experience choking.