Yet, some also make the mistake of calling cocaine “crack.” In reality, crack is a different, more potent form of cocaine. Frequently, it’s called coke, blow, flake, or snow on the street. More Information For Yourself Or A Loved OneĬocaine is a dangerous stimulant drug that comes from the coca plant.Dr.Substance abuse is treatable at San Antonio Recovery Center.Hamilton has a success rate in the 99th percentile for large and small perforations not just small perforations Dr. Hamilton has a septal perforation team experienced in coordinating care of the patient which includes septal perforation specialist, allergy and rhinology, pediatric ear nose and throat, head and neck/microvascular surgery, and anesthesia services.septoplasty, nose picking, nasal fracture, decongestant over use, caustic burns, cocaine use, Wegener’s disease, etc.) Hamilton can successfully manage adults and children with septal perforations resulting from a variety of causes (i.e. Hamilton performs surgery weekly for septal perforations Dr. Hamilton manages several patients a week with septal perforations.Treatment is complex and should be done only by a surgeon with extensive experience in nasal reconstruction.Ī qualified septal perforation specialist such as Dr. It is important to seek treatment before the perforation gets so large as to cause a saddle nose. The combination of late diagnosis, binge use, malnutrition and poor judgement with high often leads to septal perforation in an otherwise health person.įigure: Septal perforation repair showing restoration of normal airflow. This process repeats itself until a through-and-through septal perforation is present. A scab forms during the healing process which may be picked off by the patient which makes the ulceration slightly deep. Damage to the nose caused by inhalation of powdered cocaine starts with small superficial ulcerations along the anterior nasal septum typically one side though both sides may show injury. Once a septal perforation is present it will never heal on its own. Although many cocaine users are clearly aware when they have a “full-blown” septal perforation, many miss the window of opportunity to reverse early damage before it leads to a septal perforation. Typically, the cocaine user will have early signs that a septal perforation may be imminent but may be unaware of the immediate danger, because, early signs often mimic other benign nasal conditions such as simple nosebleeds, nasal congestion, increase in nasal discharge (rhinorrhea), sinus infection, and common allergy symptoms. Poor work performance from chronic nasal infection (missed days).Perforated Septum (hole in the nasal septum).Damage to the nose from cocaine can cause: Regular snorting of cocaine can lead to loss of smell, nosebleeds, a chronically runny nose, rebound nasal congestion, sinusitis, cellulitis, chondritis, nasal obstruction, turbinate hypertrophy, crusting, foul smelling nasal odors and septal perforation. Cocaine effects appetite, causing some chronic users to become malnourished.Īlthough the most serious complications of cocaine use are heart attacks and strokes, which may cause sudden death, nasal symptoms are much more common. It can also cause headaches, abdominal pain and nausea. It constricts blood vessels and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. WHAT ARE THE OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS OF COCAINE THAT CAN WORSEN THE PROGNOSIS OF SEPTAL PERFORATION TREATMENT OR SURGERY?Ĭocaine affects the body in a variety of ways. In patients who use both crack and powdered cocaine a septal perforation would tend to occur faster and symptoms be more severe.ĥ. The vapors from the heated crack cocaine act locally in the nasal passages causing trauma to the mucosa through the vasoconstrictive effects of cocaine on the delicate blood vessels in the nose which can lead to a septal perforation. Smoking crack cocaine, also exposes the nasal passage mucosal lining to the inhalant trauma.
The crack cocaine is heated to produce vapors that are inhaled and absorbed into the blood-stream primarily through the lungs. Other forms of inhalation include crack cocaine, which is a form of cocaine processed to make crystals “freebase cocaine” that can be smoked. Inhalation of powdered cocaine is the primary cause of injury to the nasal septum which can lead to a septal perforation.
Powdered cocaine is either inhaled through the nose (snorted), where it is absorbed through the nasal tissue, or dissolved in water and injected into the bloodstream. HOW IS COCAINE USE ASSOCIATED WITH SEPTAL PERFORATIONS?
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