A Guide to Nose Bleeds
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.