Nosebleed Causes and Treatments

More than half of all adults have experienced a nosebleed, and it is usually not due to a fisticuff involving the nose. The medical term for a bleeding nose is epistaxis and refers to a symptom that is not dangerous in most cases. However, nosebleeds can be life-threatening and difficult to control in some circumstances, and it always depends on the cause of the bleeding. Dangerous bleeding most often originates from the back of the nose.

Localisation is important

Generally, a distinction is made between nosebleeds due to local causes and nosebleeds as a symptom of a general disease, where the bleeding is caused by a blood vessel in the nasal mucosa bursting. In 80 percent of cases, the front part of the nose is affected, in which there is a network of vessels under the mucous membrane. This is exposed to heavy strain, and the thin veins can easily be injured by blowing hard or by a probing finger.

Fractures and trauma can cause nosebleeds

Trauma such as a fracture of the base of the skull, a fracture of the nasal bones or the nasal septum also causes nosebleeds in many cases. Furthermore, acute infectious diseases, vascular and circulatory diseases, nasal and sinus tumours, certain blood diseases or a vitamin deficiency are also capable of causing nosebleeds.

Arterial bleeding is dangerous

When it bleeds from the nose, the blood is dark red in most cases, but it can also be bright red spurting. In such a case, it is an arterial haemorrhage, which can be dangerous because of the heavy loss of blood. Unconscious people with nosebleeds are in danger of inhaling the blood and choking. Swallowing one's own blood during a nosebleed is not dangerous, but often leads to vomiting.

First measures should bring rapid relief

Initial measures for nosebleeds should be for the seated patient to bend the head forward to allow the blood to flow out of the nose. If the head is bent backwards and the blood is swallowed, no statement can be made about the extent of the bleeding. In many cases, just cooling the neck will bring about improvement. If the nostrils are also compressed for a few minutes, uncomplicated bleeding from the front sections of the nose usually stops quite quickly. Compressing the nostrils in this way does not help with arterial bleeding from the back of the nose; in these cases, the blood continues to leak through the mouth unabated. If the first measures do not lead to any improvement, if a high blood loss or threatening symptoms such as a clouding of the patient's consciousness occur, immediate treatment in hospital is necessary.