Nose Bleeding: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention
Nosebleeds are very common; though they can be alarming, especially if they are frequent or severe, most nosebleeds are usually harmless; it is worth understanding why they occur and how to manage them.
Overview
Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, are very common. They occur when the tiny veins in the nose rupture. Most nosebleeds occur because of minor irritations on the inside of the nostrils or nasal passages. Nose bleeding due to cold weather is generally seen in children. Naturally, the nose contains many small blood vessels that bleed easily. Dry air can cause nasal membrane irritation, leading to dryness, crust formation, and nosebleeding in winter or dry climates. Nose-picking also causes nosebleeds in some instances, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of infection by introducing bacteria into the nasal cavity.
In general, nose bleeding during winter is more common due to the fact that there is a risk of cold viruses, and indoor air tends to be dryer. Most nosebleeds take place on the front of the nasal septum. This is the piece of tissue that separates the two sides of the nose. This sort of nosebleed can be simple for a doctor to place under control. Less often, nosebleeds take place higher up on the septum or farther back in the nose, such as in sinuses or at the base of the skull. Such nosebleeds may be harder to control. However, nosebleeds are rarely life-threatening.
Types of Nosebleeds
Epistaxis (nosebleeds) are of two types:
- Anterior nosebleed
An anterior nosebleed occurs at the bottom of the nasal septum wall, separating the two sides of the nose. This is the most common type of epistaxis, is not serious, and is usually seen in children. Most of these nosebleeds can be handled in the home. - Posterior nosebleed
This occurs deep inside the nose. It happens by a bleed in larger blood vessels in the back side of the nose near the throat. It may cause heavy bleeding that might flow back down the throat. One would seek medical attention right away for this type of nosebleed. This is more common in adults.
Nose Bleeding Symptoms
Epistaxis (nose bleeding) is predominantly seen with an episode of active bleeding from the nose, which may involve either one or both of the nostrils. Blood may fill the cavity of the nose and ooze through both the nostrils in posterior bleeding. Apart from the bleeding, the affected nostril may experience discomfort, irritability, or soreness. Severe cases may cause dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
Take control of your nosebleeds!
Nose Bleeding Causes
Some of the common nose bleeding reasons include:
- Trauma: Injuries from struck faces can have a severe impact on the lining of the nose, causing bleeding.
- Humidity: Low humidity causes nasal tissue cracking, thereby bleeding.
- Irritation: Blowing the nose too much may make one prone to nose bleeding.
- Inflammation: Allegies or infections can damage blood vessels in the nose.
- Air travel and altitude: Alteration in altitude and air pressure causes overstretching and pulling off nasal blood vessels, leading to nosebleeds.
- Liver diseases: These can interfere with blood clotting, thereby causing frequent or severe nosebleeds.
- Medications: Some medications may cause nosebleeds, like blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and nasal steroid medications.
- Foreign bodies: Poking foreign bodies can disrupt local tissue and blood vessels.
- Smoking: Smoke might damage the nasal lining.
- Radiation therapy and chemotherapy: Thrombocytopenia can make it more difficult for blood to clot and can increase the incidence of bleeding.
- Drug addiction: Nosebleed can be caused by the usage of drugs such as cocaine or any other nasally ingested drugs that may disturb the nasal lining.
Blood clotting disorders: Blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, and platelet disorders, can increase the risk of nosebleeds by affecting the body’s ability to form blood clots, which are crucial for stopping bleeding.
Diagnosing Nosebleeds
Medical examination and diagnosis for nosebleed involves the following steps, such as:
- Physical examination: The doctor conducts a physical examination to identify the cause and also checks the nose for foreign object signs.
- Medical history evaluation: The doctor asks about medication history and current medications.
- Symptomatic assessment: Discusses other symptoms and recent injuries.
- Diagnostic tests: The doctor suggests diagnostic tests like complete blood count (CBC), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), nasal endoscopy, CT scan of the nose, and X-ray of the face and nose.
Nose Bleed Treatment
In general, the treatment for the nosebleed mainly depends on the cause of the bleeding and the condition. Treatment of the nosebleed may involve:
- Nasal packing: Gauze, special nasal sponges or foam, or an inflatable latex balloon will be pushed into the nose by the health care professional to apply pressure at the site of the bleed. He or she might want to leave the material in for 24 to 48 hours before it’s removed.
- Embolization: A surgeon will usually administer materials inside blood vessels or arteries to obstruct blood circulation in embolization. This aims to control bleeding of any kind from the nasal cavity, primarily.
- Cauterization: This procedure involves applying a chemical substance (silver nitrate) or heat energy (electrocautery) to seal the bleeding blood vessel. The surgeon will spray a local anesthetic in the nostril first to numb the inside part of the nose.
- Changes in treatment protocol: The quantity of blood-thinning medicines may need to be reduced or even stopped altogether.
- Foreign body extraction: If the cause of the nosebleed is a foreign object, then the doctor will extract that object.
- Ligation: In this procedure, the doctor will tie off the patient’s blood vessel to stop the bleeding.
Surgery: Surgical repair of a fractured nose or deviated septal correction (septoplasty) will be suggested for the fractured and traumatic conditions.
Don’t overlook it! Nosebleeds are not always a common occurrence.
Preventing Nosebleeds
Some of the common preventive measures and management tips for avoiding nosebleeds include:
- Use saline nasal spray 2-3 times daily.
- Add a humidifier for added moisture.
- Avoid blowing the nose forcefully.
- Keep the mouth open during sneezing.
- Avoid solid objects in the nose.
- Limit bleeding-inducing medications.
- Seek healthcare supervision for medication adjustments.
- Quit smoking for dryness and irritation.
- Wear protective headgear while involving in certain sporting and hard activities.
- Keep the child’s fingernails short.
When to Seek Medical Attention?
Most cases of nosebleeds can be managed effectively; however, it is crucial to go to the doctor for the following reasons:
- Frequent Nosebleeds: If there is persistent or recurrent nosebleed, especially if it’s heavy or lasts for too long.
- Difficulty in controlling bleeding: If one experiences a nosebleed and pressure is applied for 15-20 minutes but it does not cease.
- Nosebleeds accompanied with other symptoms: If you have a nosebleed and feel dizzy, faint, or anything else worrying.
- Nosebleeds due to head injury: If there’s been a nosebleed following a head injury.
- Nosebleeds in children: If the kid suffers from recurrent or excessively heavy bleeding from the nose.
Immediate medical intervention with an ENT Specialist can assist in the diagnosis and management of the causes of the nosebleeds and also in complications.
Conclusion
Nosebleeds can be a common and often harmless occurrence. However, it’s important to be aware of the underlying causes and know when to seek medical attention. By following proper first-aid techniques and adopting preventive measures, one can effectively manage nosebleeds and minimize discomfort. If you experience frequent or severe nosebleeds, consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Yashoda Hospital provides extensive treatment for nosebleeds. Our skilled ENT specialists are capable of finding the problem and providing effective treatment.
Have any questions or concerns about your health? We’re here to help! Call us at +919513262681 for expert advice and support.
