Dealing with Nosebleeds? Here is What Causes Epistaxis and How to Stop It

A sudden nosebleed may feel alarming, but in most cases, the cause of a nosebleed is quite benign. The medical term for nosebleeds is epistaxis, which happens when the tissues inside the nose, known as the nasal mucous membranes, get ruptured and start bleeding. Most nosebleeds occur in the front (anterior) of the nose, near the nostrils, a region where several small blood veins are present, and those can get readily damaged! These nosebleeds are typically not serious, however, nosebleeds in the rear of the nose (posterior) can be dangerous and result in significant blood loss if this type of epistaxis nose bleeding is not treated.   

What is Epistaxis?  

Epistaxis, commonly known as nosebleeds, occurs when the tissues that line the inside of your nose start bleeding. Epistaxis can occur in one or both nostrils, however, typically it affects only one nostril. Your nose has numerous small blood arteries, and they serve to warm and moisturize the air you breathe. However, they are near the inside surface of your nose, and when air passes through your nose, it can dry up and irritate the blood vessels, as a result, they can get hurt or shatter, causing nosebleeds. 

Approximately six out of ten persons will experience at least one nosebleed during their lifetime, but the majority of nosebleeds are minimal and may be treated at home. However, if the bleeding is serious or if you have other symptoms such as vomiting or difficulty breathing you should visit the emergency care available. 

Epistaxis is classified into two forms, anterior nosebleed, and posterior nosebleed, based on where it occurs: 

Anterior nosebleed - An anterior nosebleed is defined as bleeding from the front of the nose into the lower section of the nasal septum on both sides, but remember, anterior nosebleeds are the most frequent kind of epistaxis/nosebleed and are typically not dangerous. You should know, the capillaries and blood vessels in this region are tiny, fragile, and readily damaged, and often just first aid assistance at home can help stop the bleeding. 

Posterior nosebleed - A posterior nosebleed occurs when a major blood artery tears or ruptures, resulting in bleeding from deep within the nose, as a result, a posterior nosebleed is more severe than an anterior nosebleed because of the amount of blood that can go down the throat. That blood can result in deadly choking, so it is recommended that if the patient has severe epistaxis they should visit a doctor right away to stop the bleeding as soon as possible!  

What causes Epistaxis? 

Epistaxis has several causes, and all too often, these nosebleeds affect just one nostril, however, they might affect both simultaneously in rare cases. Let’s take a look at the various causing of nose bleeding:  

1. Dry air
   Dry air dries out your nasal membrane, the delicate tissue inside your nose, and makes it crusty or cracked, as a result, when you rub, pick, or blow your nose, it is more prone to bleed. The air is generally drier in hot, low-humidity conditions, areas with high elevations, and heated indoor areas.
   
   
2. A deviated septum
   If the wall between the two nostrils shifts to one side (deviates), air flow in the nostrils becomes uneven! This changed airflow pattern leads the skin on the narrower side of the nasal septum to dry up and crack, which increases the risk of bleeding.
   
   
3. Colds and allergies
   Upper respiratory tract infections and allergies irritate the nose, increasing the risk of bleeding. More congestion can cause blood vessels to expand (dilate), increasing their susceptibility to damage. Strenuous nose blowing to clear the nose can also cause the nose to bleed or rebleed after a previous nosebleed has been managed.
   
   
4. Certain medications
   If you use blood clot-preventing drugs then you are more prone to get nosebleeds and may have difficulty stopping them once they begin! Some drugs that might induce these difficulties are Warfarin, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Fondaparinux, Aspirin, etc. If you take one or more of these drugs and get regular nosebleeds, you must talk to your doctor about the situation. Steroid nasal sprays that are used to treat allergy symptoms can also cause nosebleeds, so if you take one of these sprays and get a nosebleed, you should temporarily halt the spray and get advice from your physician before continuing.
     
5. Excessive alcohol consumption
   Alcohol disrupts the natural action of platelets in the blood, which increases the time required for blood clots to develop! Too much alcohol also causes superficial blood vessels to dilate (enlarge), and as a result, increases the likelihood of injury and bleeding.
   
   
6. Other causes
   You may also get a nosebleed if you accidentally insert something into your nose, injure your nose and/or face, have an upper respiratory or sinus infection, have inflammation of the nasal lining, or frequently use decongestant nasal sprays.
   
   People who breathe in chemicals from cleaning products or fumes at work regularly can also get nosebleeds! The use of recreational drugs like cocaine that are inhaled through the nose can be another cause of nosebleeds. Less prevalent causes of nosebleeds are high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, nasal surgery, nasal tumors, immune thrombocytopenia, leukemia, or pregnancy.  

Epistaxis Treatments  

The reason for a nosebleed determines how to cure it, so your doctor will explain which treatment is essential in your specific scenario. These are the common nose bleeding (epistaxis) treatment that are employed for heavy nose bleed:    

• Nasal packing - Your healthcare professional inserts gauze, special nasal sponges, or an inflated latex balloon into your nose to apply pressure to the bleeding spot, and you may have to keep the material in place for a day before removing it. 
• Medication changes - If your nosebleed is caused by your medication, it would be beneficial to change those medicines. In addition, blood pressure medicines may be recommended, and your doctor may also prescribe tranexamic, which is a blood clotting agent. 
• Cauterization - This method seals the leaking blood artery using a chemical substance called silver nitrate or through heat energy (electrocautery). For this process, your physician will first spray a local anesthetic into your nostril to numb the inside of your nose and then perform it.  

Nosebleed Care at Home  

The majority of nosebleeds may be stopped with proper self-care at home, you just need to follow a few simple steps for this to be effective.  

• Gently blow your nose to remove some of the blood clots that have developed inside your nostrils, this may momentarily increase the bleeding, but don’t be worried. 
• You must sit or stand, leaning slightly forward at the waist, and never lie down or tilt your head backward because this may cause you to swallow blood, which might lead to vomiting. 
• Grip the soft area of both nostrils at the bottom of your nose, apply light pressure, and this way, you should close your nostrils for at least fifteen minutes.  
• You can put a cold compress or ice pack on the bridge of your nose, as this may help the blood vessels tighten and slow the bleeding.   

Final Remarks  

Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is a very common yet quite bothersome condition that affects millions of people! Even though most episodes of epistaxis are not severe, if you get them regularly or have serious bleeding, you should consult with your doctor about a proper diagnosis. In rare cases, some underlying medical conditions can be the cause of your nosebleeds, and only after a thorough checkup and in rare cases, medical tests, your doctor can be sure about the cause of your frequent heavy nosebleeds.  

If you have been advised to go through medical tests, contact Pathkind Labs right away and get your tests done by trained professionals! Receive your test results in just a couple of days as the lab uses modern technology to create accurate test results!