When Noses Bleed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Epistaxis

When Noses Bleed: Uncovering the Hidden Causes of Epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose (from the inside) is known as epistaxis. It is quite common in the general population, and seen in all age-groups, children, adults and older people as well.

The nose has a rich blood supply, and trauma or injury to the blood vessels in the nose may lead to epistaxis. There may be a number of causes for epistaxis. Local reasons include trauma to the nose, like finger nail trauma, intranasal surgery, fractures of the face or the base of the skull. Violent sneezing may also produce epistaxis, along with hard-blowing of the nose.

Infections like viral rhinitis and acute sinusitis are commonly seen, which can result in bleeding from the nose. Crust-forming conditions like atrophic rhinitis (a long-term condition where the inside lining of the nose often becomes thin and dry), rhinitis is an and tuberculosis. Syphilis can also lead to septal perforation in the nose, which results in epistaxis.

Foreign bodies in the nose, small stones formed in the nose, or living organisms like maggots and leeches can also affect the blood vessels. Atmospheric changes like high altitudes and sudden decompression have a drying effect on the nose. This causes the thin vessels in the nose to become more prone to being ruptured. A deviated nasal septum is also a reason for epistaxis, especially if there are any prominent vessels present over the spur.

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Besides local reasons, there may also be systemic causes that lead to bleeding from the nose. An increased blood pressure (hypertension), conditions of the heart like mitral stenosis (where the valve between the left atrium and ventricle allows less amount of blood to flow) and pregnancy are also implicated in the development of epistaxis.

Any disease of the blood vessels can also cause bleeding from the nose. Vitamin K deficiency is known to affect the clotting process in the blood, and a reduction in the levels of vitamin K can lead to multiple bleeding manifestations.

The liver is responsible for the production of many clotting factors, and in case the liver becomes affected, like in case of hepatic cirrhosis, it can lead to bleeding from the nose.

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Most often, bleeding from the nose may be controlled by pinching the nose with the thumb and the index finger, and keeping this position for about five minutes. Or, the affected person may be asked to sit and lean a little forward over a basin, and to spit the blood while breathing quietly from the mouth.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.