Learn About Ailments | Nosebleed (Epistaxis)

Nosebleed (Epistaxis)

Nosebleeds (known as epistaxis) are characterised by blood coming from the nose and are rarely serious. Nosebleeds are typically caused by minor injury to the septum (the thin cartilage that separates the nostrils) or infection of the mucous membrane. Injury is usually from picking or excessive blowing of the nose. Persistent nosebleeds can be a sign of underlying problems such as high blood pressure, leukaemia, haemophilia or liver disease.

In This Article

Causes of nosebleeds	Anterior nosebleeds
Symptoms of nosebleeds	Diagnosis of nosebleeds
Related Terms

Causes of nosebleeds

Tiny blood vessels in the lining of the inside of the nose can begin to bleed if damaged from a minor injury such as picking the nose, blowing the nose or being struck on the nose. Nosebleeds can also occur when the lining becomes too dry as a result of infection or the drying effect of home heating. In this instance, the lining can become inflamed and crack resulting in bleeding.

Nosebleeds are grouped into two types: anterior and posterior

Anterior nosebleeds

This type of bleed originates from the wall between the nasal channels (known as the septum). Blood vessels in the septum are delicate and easily damaged by causes such as:

picking the nose
blowing the nose too hard
minor blows to the nose
crooked nose (usually from a birth defect or injury)
colds
flu
hayfever
allergies
altitude
decongestants
drug use (typically cocaine)

Posterior nosebleeds

Blood from posterior bleeds comes from higher up in the nasal channel and this type of nosebleed commonly affects children. The blood originates from arteries that supply blood to the nasal cavity and a bleed can be caused by a heavy blow to the head. Other causes of posterior nosebleeds include:

nasal surgery
hypertension (high blood pressure)
calcium deficiency
hardened arteries (high cholesterol in the blood etc.)
nasal cavity tumour
blood thinning medications (aspirin, anticoagulants)
haemophilia (a condition which affects the ability of blood to clot)
leukaemia

Symptoms of nosebleeds

The symptom of a nosebleed is a heavy or light flow of blood coming out of one or both of the nasal channels lasting anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes or more.

Nosebleeds can occur at night although blood will usually pass down the back of the throat before appearing from the nose causing you to wake up.

Diagnosis of nosebleeds

In most cases, nosebleeds are mild and usually stop within few minutes with no lasting effects. However, you should seek medical advice immediately if:

bleeding is very heavy
you have suffered a heavy blow to the nose
you are experiencing heart palpitations
you are short of breath
you begin to turn pale
you are swallowing blood and then vomiting

Bleeding can be heavier and last longer if you take blood-thinning medications or have high blood pressure or a blood clotting disorder.

Related Terms

Nasal
Bleeding
Blood vessels
Arteriosclerosis
ENT

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