OverviewA nosebleed occurs when blood vessels lining the nose get injured and bleed.What is a nosebleed?Simply put, a nosebleed is the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of your nose. Show
Nosebleeds (also called epistaxis) are common. Some 60% of people will have at least one nosebleed in their lifetime. The location of the nose in the middle of the face and the large number of blood vessels close to the surface in the lining of your nose make it an easy target for injury and nosebleeds. Are nosebleeds serious?Although seeing blood coming out of your noise can be alarming, most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. Some, however, should be checked by your doctor. For instance, if you have frequent nosebleeds, see your doctor. This could be an early sign of other medical problems that needs to be investigated. A few nosebleeds start in the back of the nose. These nosebleeds usually involve large blood vessels, result in heavy bleeding and can be dangerous. You will need medical attention for this type of bleed, especially if the bleeding occurs after an injury and the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes of applying direct pressure to your nose. (Read on to learn the steps for how to stop a nosebleed.) Are there different kinds of nosebleeds?Yes. Nosebleeds are described by the site of the bleed. There are two main types and one is more serious than the other. An anterior nosebleed starts in the front of the nose on the lower part of the wall that separates the two sides of the nose (called the septum). Capillaries and small blood vessels in this front area of the nose are fragile and can easily break and bleed. This is the most common type of nosebleed and is usually not serious. These nosebleeds are more common in children and are usually able to be treated at home. A posterior nosebleed occurs deep inside the nose. This nosebleed is caused by a bleed in larger blood vessels in the back part of the nose near the throat. This can be a more serious nosebleed than an anterior nosebleed. It can result in heavy bleeding, which may flow down the back of the throat. You may need medical attention right away for this type of nosebleed. This type of nosebleed is more common in adults. Who gets nosebleeds?Anyone can get a nosebleed. Most people will have at least one in their lifetime. However, there are people who are more likely to have a nosebleed. They include:
Symptoms and CausesWhat causes nosebleeds?Nosebleeds have many causes. Fortunately, most are not serious. The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Dry air can be caused by hot, low-humidity climates or heated indoor air. Both environments cause the nasal membrane (the delicate tissue inside your nose) to dry out and become crusty or cracked and more likely to bleed when rubbed or picked or when blowing your nose. Other common causes of nosebleeds include:
Other, less common causes of nosebleeds include:
Management and TreatmentTo stop a nosebleed, lean your head slightly forward and pinch the soft part of the nose against the hard bony ridge that forms the bridge of your nose.How do I stop a nosebleed?Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:
When should I go to the emergency room if I have a nosebleed?Call your doctor immediately or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if:
Call your doctor soon if:
What should I expect when I go to my doctor with a nosebleed?The doctor will ask you questions about your nosebleed including:
Your doctor will also ask about medications you are taking – including over-the-counter blood thinning drugs, such as aspirin, and drugs for colds and allergies. They will also ask if there is a family history of blood disorders and ask about your use of alcohol or any illegal drug use in which the drug was sniffed up your nose. Next, your doctor will examine your nose to determine the source of the bleed and what may have caused it. They will use a small speculum to hold the nostril open and use various light sources or an endoscope (lighted scope) to see inside your nasal passages. Your doctor may use topical medications to anesthetize (numb) the lining of the nose and to constrict blood vessels. The doctor is also likely to remove clots and crusts from inside your nose. This can be unpleasant but is not painful. Your blood pressure and pulse will likely be taken. Occasionally, x-rays or CT scan or blood tests may be ordered to check for bleeding disorders, blood vessel abnormalities or nasal tumors. What are the treatments for nosebleeds?Treatments depend on the cause and could include:
What can I do to prevent nosebleeds?
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call your physician. Outlook / PrognosisWhen is a nosebleed a serious event?Seeing blood coming out of your nose is a scary sight for many people. The good news is that most nosebleeds are not serious and can be managed at home. However, see your doctor or get emergency medical attention if you are losing a heavy amount of blood, if you cannot stop your nosebleed after 20 minutes of trying or have had an immediate injury to your head, face or nose. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have frequent nosebleeds. Living WithI get frequent nosebleeds. What’s the cause? Should I be concerned?There are many non-serious reasons why you may be getting frequent nosebleeds. The most common are:
In rare cases, repeated nosebleeds could be a sign of a bleeding disorder or other more serious conditions. If you have frequent nosebleeds, please see your doctor. What causes nosebleeds while sleeping?The reasons for nosebleeds during sleep are the same as the reasons why they occur during the daytime – dried nasal membrane caused by dry air, allergies and colds and other upper respiratory infections that damage the delicate nasal membrane lining your nose. Sleeping with your head to the side also may put direct pressure on the nasal cavity and may be another reason for nosebleeds at night. Why do I see blood every time I blow my nose?If you blow your nose frequently or blow with force, you can damage the delicate blood vessels in your nose, causing them to bleed. What common over the counter drug will lengthen a bleeding time?Patients are also advised to avoid using aspirin or ibuprofen as pain relievers because these drugs lengthen the clotting time of blood.
What is the usual site for performing a standard bleeding time?While the cuff is on your arm, the health care provider makes two small cuts on the lower arm. They are just deep enough to cause a tiny amount of bleeding. The blood pressure cuff is immediately deflated. Blotting paper is touched to the cuts every 30 seconds until the bleeding stops.
Which of the following is a standard incision size for a bleeding time test?The test is finished when bleeding has stopped completely. An attempt to standardise the method [Template Method] involves the use of an automatic blade which makes a standard-sized incision [approximately 6mm in length x 1mm in depth] on the volar aspect of the forearm. Otherwise the technique is identical.
What is the usual site for performing a standard bleeding time test quizlet?What is the usual site for standard bleeding time tests? Forearm, just below the antecubital crease.
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