Nosebleeds

You might have experienced nasal bleeding due to injury to the nose or by some other health conditions. Nasal bleeding is referred to as nosebleeds or epistaxis. Although it is not a serious health problem, it can be a frightening condition. Sometimes, it may indicate the presence of other underlying disorders. Nosebleeds are classified as anterior or posterior, depending upon their origin. Nosebleeds that start in the front of the nose are called anterior nosebleeds. Here, bleeding starts from the blood vessel on the nasal septum. Posterior nosebleeds originate from the back of the nose. The bleeding starts from the artery in the back of the nose. Posterior nosebleeds are less common and occur most often in elderly people. Anterior nosebleeds can be treated at home; but posterior nosebleeds usually require medical attention.

What causes Nosebleeds?

Any injury or trauma to the nose is the most common cause of nosebleeds. In some cases, nosebleeds result from nasal congestion due to allergies, sinus infections, strep throat or common cold. Some adults could suffer from nosebleeds due to certain medications like aspirin or anticoagulants. In such cases, bleeding may begin spontaneously. Nosebleeds can occur in any age; however, they are more common in children between the age of 2 and 10 years and adults between the age of 50 and 80 years.

Nosebleeds are more frequent during the winter. In dry, cold climates, the nasal membranes tend to dry out and crack. Nosebleeds may also occur in hot, dry climates with low humidity. People with nose or sinus infection, hypertension and allergic or non-allergic rhinitis are at a higher risk of nosebleeds. Alcohol abuse and the use of blood thinning medications can also trigger nasal bleeding. Many women experience nosebleeds during pregnancy due to increased pressure in blood vessels in the nose.

Symptoms of Nosebleeds

Bleeding from the nostrils is the most prominent symptom of nosebleeds. Bleeding generally occurs from one nostril. If there is heavy bleeding, blood can fill up the nostril and overflow into the nasopharynx. This can cause simultaneous bleeding from another nostril. If blood flows down into the stomach, it can make you vomit the blood. You may experience weakness, dizziness, fainting and confusion due to excess blood loss. If you have repeated episodes of nosebleeds or there is presence of blood in urine or stool, you should consult the doctor. If you have nosebleeds with any underlying disease such as kidney diseases, liver diseases, or hemophilia which can affect blood clotting, then you need to immediately seek medical attention.

Treatment for Nosebleeds

Many a time, nosebleeds are not a serious condition and can be managed at home without any medical treatment. When you experience nasal bleeding, sit upright and lean forward. Upright position of your body can help to reduce pressure in the blood vessels in the nose and stops further bleeding. Sitting forward can help prevent from swallowing the blood. Pinch your nose using your thumb and index finger for about 5-10 minutes. You can keep breathing through your mouth. Once bleeding has stopped, don't blow or sneeze your nose at least for 24 hours. Sit quietly and keep your head higher than the level of the heart. If there is re-bleeding, blow out forcefully in order to remove any blood clots in the nose. Spray both the nostrils with a decongestant nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline.

If nosebleeds last for more than 20 minutes or nosebleeds are due to accident or head injury, then you need to seek immediate medical treatment. If bleeding occurs from the blood vessel, cauterization is done using a chemical, silver nitrate. In this method, the blood vessel is burnt using this chemical or an electric current after administering local anesthesia. In some complicated cases, nasal packing is necessary to stop the bleeding. In this method, the nose is packed with a special gauze or inflatable latex balloon. This puts pressure on the blood vessels and helps to stop nasal bleeding. However, these packings can interfere with the drainage pathways of the sinuses, resulting in sinus infections. In such cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics.

Posterior nosebleeds can be very serious and may require hospitalization. Posterior nasal packing is applied in order to stop the bleeding. Various types of packings can be used; but a balloon nasal pack is more preferred. Posterior nasal packings are more uncomfortable and most often need pain relievers and sedatives. These packings are generally left for about 48-72 hours. There is a risk of complications such as blockage of breathing passages or infection due to posterior nasal packings. If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin and experience nasal bleeding, then immediately consult the doctor.

How to Prevent Nosebleeds

Drying of the nasal membranes is one of the most common causes of nosebleeds. If you are prone to this condition, avoid exposure to dry air, as it can aggravate the problem. Lubricate your nose using an ointment like antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly or saline nasal spray. Adding moisture to the air with the help of humidifier or vaporizer can help to prevent the nose from drying out. Avoid picking or blowing the nose vigorously. If nosebleeds are associated with some other medical conditions such as chronic sinus infection or liver diseases, then seek adequate medical treatment to control these problems. Since injury or trauma to the nose is another important cause of nosebleeds, you need to take appropriate precautions to avoid any injuries. Wear protective athletic equipment, while playing sports. If you experience nasal bleeding anytime, don't neglect it. Consult the doctor to get proper medical treatment and to prevent nosebleeds in future.

With proper treatment and precautions, you can recover from nosebleeds without any long-term effects.