Ball sports: Nasal bone fractures
Dong Yuli pointed out that among sports injuries treated in ENT departments during the summer vacation, the most common are nasal traumas caused by collisions, falls, or being hit by balls during basketball or soccer games—such as nasal bone fractures and nosebleeds.
When a nasal injury occurs, symptoms may include pain, swelling, and nosebleeds. In severe cases, visible deformities around the nose or nasal bones can occur. In such situations, the first step is to apply ice to reduce swelling and stop bleeding, then seek immediate treatment at the ENT department. Generally, an X-ray can confirm whether there is a fracture and its location. If diagnosed with a nasal bone fracture, hospitalization for reduction treatment is typically required.
Reminder: Nasal bone fractures should be treated within 2–3 hours after injury, generally no later than 14 days, as delayed treatment can lead to malunion and changes in the shape of the nose. As for nosebleeds, the severity depends on the amount of blood lost. A single large bleed that cannot be stopped may cause shock, while repeated small bleeds may lead to anemia. Therefore, it's also best to see a doctor for nosebleeds to assess the extent of the injury.
Swimming: Water inhalation causing otitis media and sinusitis
Recently, the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission released the results of the second special inspection of swimming venue water quality in Shenzhen this year. Sixteen community swimming pools were found to have substandard water quality, nine of which had excessive urea levels. It's undeniable that many swimming pools have poor water quality, containing large amounts of bacteria. Improper swimming posture leading to water inhalation can allow water to enter the ears through the Eustachian tube in the nasopharynx, resulting in bacterial infections that can cause sinusitis and otitis media—conditions especially common among children.
When sinusitis occurs, patients may experience symptoms such as purulent nasal discharge, dizziness, headache, and nasal congestion. Early symptoms are similar to those of a cold. However, while a cold usually clears up within a week, sinusitis often does not improve so easily. Acute sinusitis is generally treated with anti-inflammatory measures and irrigation. Early treatment can help prevent complications (such as otitis media) or progression to chronic sinusitis. Otitis media, on the other hand, can cause inflammation that blocks the Eustachian tube, leading to ear pain and hearing loss within a few days. Doctors can use an otoscope to check for tympanic membrane perforations and hearing tests to assess the degree of hearing loss.
Reminder: Those with upper respiratory infections—such as colds, chronic rhinitis—or individuals already suffering from sinusitis or otitis media should avoid swimming during illness or recovery. Using protective gear such as nose clips and earplugs while swimming can effectively reduce the risk of sinusitis and otitis media caused by water inhalation.
Boxing: Nasal septum correction needed before training
Boxing has become a fairly trendy fitness activity among young people in recent years, but it is also highly prone to injury—for example, nosebleeds. The nose may be struck, damaging the small blood vessels in the nasal mucosa and causing bleeding, and it can also lead to nasal deformities. Dong Yuli said that before official boxing training or matches, the nasal septum is typically examined. If a deviated septum is found, correction should be performed to prevent septal perforation in case of nasal bone fractures caused by impacts during exercise.
Reminder: Amateur boxing includes helmets that protect against head injuries, and boxing gloves are larger than those used in professional boxing, offering good protection. No additional treatment for the nose is usually necessary. But if a nasal injury does occur, reduction treatment and prompt bleeding control are required, and no competitions or practice should be resumed for two months.
Diving: Insufficient protection at depth can damage the eardrum
Eardrum perforations are commonly caused by hard objects such as cotton swabs or foreign bodies in the external auditory canal. However, Dong Yuli reminds that high diving or diving below 8–10 meters can damage the eardrum due to excessive water pressure.
Symptoms and treatment: When the eardrum is ruptured by water pressure, symptoms such as immediate ear pain, reduced hearing, and tinnitus may occur. In severe cases, there may also be external auditory canal bleeding and a feeling of blockage in the ear. In such instances, one should immediately visit the ENT department to examine the eardrum and hearing, remove any foreign material in the external auditory canal, and disinfect the canal and auricle to prevent infection. Generally, the vast majority of traumatic eardrum perforations can heal on their own within about a month (even without treatment), but for larger perforations that do not heal, surgical repair may be performed after three months.
Reminder: After an eardrum rupture, do not irrigate the external auditory canal or use ear drops. Also, avoid swimming or getting water in the ears until the perforation has healed to prevent infection.