Guide to Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds, or epistaxis in medical
terminology, is a problem that may appear to some as indicative of a
more serious condition, but that is not always the case. Nonetheless, it
is not something to be taken lightly as it is not natural for the body
and is also quite a nuisance. But how can one know whether it is a cause
for concern or not? The truth is there is no definitive way to
determine this unless you see a doctor and check what is causing the
nosebleed. However, know that 60% of people will experience this
phenomenon at least once in their lifetime, and only about 10% of cases
truly require medical intervention. To help you better understand the
topic, we have prepared the following article, where you will also
discover some ways to prevent the bleeding or treat it when it begins.
Types of Nosebleeds
First of all, it's important to distinguish between two main types of
nosebleeds:
Anterior Nosebleed: This is the most common type of nosebleed, occurring
in the lower part of the nasal septum. The small blood vessels in this
part of the nose are very delicate and can easily be injured, which
causes bleeding. This situation shouldn't worry you at all, even if it
happens to children, and in fact, it is quite common among them. You can
treat this type of bleeding at home.
Posterior Nosebleed: This type of nosebleed
occurs in the deeper part of the nose, where larger blood vessels are
located. Injury to these blood vessels can cause relatively heavy
bleeding that can also flow backward into the throat. You may need to
seek immediate medical assistance if you suffer from this type of
bleeding, which is more common in adults than in children.
What are the causes of nosebleeds?
Generally, the most common cause of nosebleeds is warm and dry air,
which characterizes, among other things, autumn and early winter days in
Israel. However, either of these weather conditions separately can also
cause it. Usually, the bleeding starts after nose picking or frequent
and forceful nose blowing, or even excessive sneezing. This is another
reason why the problem is particularly common during autumn and winter.
There are also substances that may cause nosebleeds, including inhaling
the fumes of strong cleaning agents. If you tend to use nasal sprays
often, they might be the cause of your nosebleeds, as they dry out the
nasal mucosa and increase the risk of injury to the blood vessels.
Anyone can suffer from nosebleeds, but some people experience it more
frequently than others, such as:
Children aged 2-10: Dry air, colds, allergies, or nose picking can
cause children to experience nosebleeds.
Adults aged 45-80: At these ages, blood takes longer to clot, and
the likelihood of nosebleeds increases with problems related to high
blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Pregnant Women: During pregnancy, the blood vessels in the nose
expand, which puts pressure on them that may cause them to be injured.
People taking blood-thinning medications: Blood thinners are
intended to prevent blood clotting, which may prevent the body from
stopping the nosebleed quickly.
People with blood clotting problems: Conditions such as hemophilia
or von Willebrand disease interfere with blood clotting processes,
leading to excessive bleeding, including from the nose.
Less common causes of nosebleeds include:
Alcohol consumption
Nasal tumor or polyp
Nasal surgeries
Leukemia
Autoimmune diseases
How to prevent nosebleeds?
Use saline spray for the nose 2-3 times a day in each nostril to
keep the nasal lining moist. You can purchase such a spray at a pharmacy
or make one yourself at home with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 liter of
water – boil for 20 minutes, and use the prepared solution once it has
cooled to a lukewarm temperature.
Use a humidifier at home or sleep near a humidifier in the bedroom.
Apply petroleum jelly on a cotton swab and apply inside the nostrils
up to a depth of about 6 mm.
Avoid forceful nose blowing and picking your nose.
Keep nails trimmed if you tend to pick your nose anyway.
Sneeze with your mouth open instead of through your nose.
Quit smoking – this habit dries out and irritates the nose.
What to do when a nosebleed starts?
If bleeding has already started, here's what you need to do to handle it
and stop it as quickly as possible:
1. Sit upright and lean forward – keep your head raised, but do not tilt
your head back, as this will only cause the blood to flow down the
throat, which could lead to choking.
2. Gently blow your nose – the aim is to clear it of any blood clots
that may be present, but be careful not to blow too hard, as this will
only worsen the bleeding.
3. Pinch your nose – use your thumb and forefinger to close your
nostrils, breathe through your mouth, and continue for 10-15 minutes.
This will apply pressure to the blood vessels, helping to stop the blood
flow. If this doesn't help, repeat for another 15 minutes, and do not
release for at least the first 5 minutes, even if you want to check if
the bleeding has stopped.
When should you see a doctor?
As mentioned, it is likely that the bleeding you are experiencing does
not require medical intervention, but there are several situations where
you shouldn't delay seeing a doctor:
It happens to you very frequently
You have symptoms of anemia (weakness, fainting, fatigue, feeling
cold frequently, difficulty breathing, or pale skin)
It concerns a child under two years old
You are taking blood-thinning medications that prevent the bleeding
from stopping
You started having nosebleeds after starting a certain medication
You have nosebleeds along with unexplained bruises on your body –
this combination may indicate a problem with blood clotting processes or
even leukemia or tumors.
Here is some information you should share
with your doctor to help them provide the most accurate diagnosis
possible:
The usual duration of the bleeding (in minutes)
The amount of blood coming out of the nose
How frequently the problem occurs
Whether the blood comes from both nostrils or only one
What medications you are taking regularly or when this happens
Whether there are family members who have suffered from blood vessel
problems in the past
Whether you consume drugs or alcohol regularly
Summary
Nosebleeds are generally not a serious problem and can be resolved at
home or even prevented with proper habits. However, in certain cases, it
is highly recommended to visit a doctor to check the cause – it may be
the medications you are taking or a more serious issue requiring medical
attention. If you know someone who tends to suffer from nosebleeds,
share this article with them – we are sure this information will be very
useful to them.
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