Preparing for an appointment

If your injury is severe, you'll need to seek immediate medical attention and won't have time to prepare for your appointment. But, if the injury to your nose is less severe — accompanied only by swelling and moderate pain — you may choose to wait before seeing your doctor. This allows time for the swelling to subside, so you and your doctor can better evaluate your injury.

However, it's best not to wait longer than three to five days before seeing your doctor if your signs and symptoms persist. And during this waiting period, get medical attention if:

• The pain or swelling doesn't progressively improve
• Your nose looks misshapen or crooked after the swelling recedes
• You can't breathe efficiently through your nose even after the swelling subsides
• You experience frequent, recurring nosebleeds
• You're running a fever

When you make an appointment, you'll probably start by seeing your primary care doctor. However, he or she is likely to refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the ear, nose and throat.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and to know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, and let your doctor know what you were doing at the time of the injury.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
• Bring a photo of yourself before the injury for comparison, if possible.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For a broken nose, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• Do I need any tests, such as X-rays?
• How long will the swelling and bruising last?
• Will my nose look the same?
• Do I need surgery?
• Do I need to restrict my activity?
• What type of pain medication can I take?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home? What websites do you recommend for additional information?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask:

• How and when did your injury occur?
• Have your symptoms improved at all since the time of the injury?
• Does your nose look normal to you?
• Can you easily breathe through your nose?
• Do you participate in contact sports? If so, how long do you plan on participating in this sport?