Nose Bleed

Nose bleeds can occur by a small injury caused by blowing or picking of nose. They can also be caused by infection of mucous membrane causing crusting and drying. Nosebleeds are quite common amongst children. These can seldom be serious and can be treated easily. At times it can also be fatal especially in older people, those who take anticoagulants, aspirin or with blood disorder conditions. You should get alarmed if nose bleeds become a frequent scenario. You should consult a doctor who shall provide you appropriate treatment and also will check your blood pressure. You will need to consult an ENT specialist if the problem is severe.

Symptoms

Blood flows out of the nose, during Nosebleed. The flow can be light or heavy and it may last as long as 10 minutes or for few seconds. While sleeping also once can experience nose bleeds. Before bleeding appears from nose you will feel a fluid behind your throat. You need to see a doctor immediately if the bleeding persists or if it gets heavy, also if symptoms like turning pale, shortness of breath or swallowing blood could cause vomiting occurs. If you suffer with any of these conditions like, blood clotting disorder, heart failure, high blood pressure or if you are consuming anticoagulants like aspirin or warfarin, the bleeding may become harder to stop and can get prolonged.

Causes

Anterior and posterior are two different types of nose bleeds depending on from where the bleeding originates. In case of anterior nose bleed, bleeding originates from lower septum inside the nose. As it has delicate blood vessels it is called the little’s area that can be damaged easily.
causes of anterior nosebleeds are:

• Excessive use of cocaine.
• Excessive use of nasal decongestants
• High altitude
• Hayfever or other allergies
• A blocked, stuffy or dry nose, often caused by an infection
• A cold or flu
• A minor injury to your nose.
• Picking your nose, scratching with sharp fingernail
• Blowing your nose very hard.
• Anterior nosebleeds are very common amongst children and can be treated at home easily.

In case of posterior nose bleeds, heavy bleeding comes from further higher and back of your nose. This condition is very common amongst adult than in children and will also require proper medical attention.
Risk factors for posterior nosebleeds are:.

• A tumour in the nasal cavity
• Being exposed to irritating chemicals.
• Certain medicines such as aspirin, medicines for arthritis, and anticoagulants
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Conditions such as heart failure, vein abnormalities, leukaemia or haemophilia
• Having a calcium deficiency.
• High or raised blood pressure.
• Recent nasal surgery

Treatment

The tips mentioned below can help you with nose bleeds:

• Avoid blowing your nose and strenuous activity for at least 12 hours after a nosebleed
• The bleeding should stop and not start again, unless your nose is knocked or picked.
• Place a covered ice pack on your cheek to help soothe the area
• Maintain the pressure on your nose for 15 minutes so that the blood clots
• Lean forward to drain blood down the nose instead of down the back of your throat. Breathe through the mouth during this course.
• Sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of your nasal cavity, just above your nostrils, for 10 minutes.
• In case the bleeding gets heavy or doesn’t stop after 20 minutes of maintaining pressure you are advised to see the Doctor or if nose
• bleeds are frequent it can because of some underlying cause. Pulse rate & blood pressure will be checked, also blood test will required to check if clotting of blood is proper, by the doctor. If your nose bleed doesn’t stop, it will be covered with ribbon gauze.
• Once the bleeding stops, it’s unpacked and X-Ray will be taken for further investigation. You should not exert yourself for 2-1 weeks till the bleeding completely stops.
• If medicines like anti-inflammatory, warfarin and aspirin are causing bleeding, you need to check with your doctor and change the medication. You can use Vaseline or any petroleum jelly ointment to soften inside the nostrils as persistent crusting can cause bleeding in children.

Surgery for nosebleeds

Recurring nose bleeds can be stopped by a small procedure to burn the area from where its bleeding. Wherein, a wool swab is used to touch the bleeding area along with some corrosive chemical. Endoscopic surgery involves tying off bleeding blood vessels to make the bleeding stop. In few cases, main artery are tied from where bleeding branch originates.

Complications

If nose bleeds are recurring you need to see an ENT specialist. This can often lead to anaemia.