Nosebleed Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
A nosebleed or epistaxis is bleeding that flows out of the nasal cavity or nasopharynx. This is not a disease, but a symptom of a disorder.
Nearly 90% of nosebleed /epistaxis cases stop on their own. Bleeding from the nose can be a very disturbing symptom. The source of the bleeding must be found and corrected. Treatment can be effective.
Overall there are two types of epistaxis, namely:
- Anterior Epistaxis. This is the most common type of epistaxis in children. Nosebleeds originate from the front of the nose (anterior). Bleeding can stop itself (spontaneously) and can be controlled with simple measures.
- Posterior Epistaxis. In the posterior epistaxis, bleeding originates from the back of the nose (posterior). This type of epistaxis is more common in adults who suffer from hypertension, arteriosclerosis, or cardiovascular disease. Bleeding is usually great and rarely stop spontaneously.
Symptoms
Nosebleeds or epistaxis give symptoms in the form of bleeding from the nose or a history of bleeding from the nose. In this regard, there are several things that need attention, namely:
- Location of bleeding (in front of the nasal cavity or into the throat)
- Lots of bleeding
- Frequency
Reason
There are several things that are suspected as risk factors for nosebleeds or epistaxis, namely:
- Trauma
- Diseases in the nose, for example: rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis
- Systemic diseases, for example vascular disorders, chronic nephritis, dengue hemorrhagic fever
- History of drug use –such as NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin, heparin, ticlopidine, corticosteroid nasal spray
- Tumors, both benign and malignant, that occur in the nose, paranasal sinuses or nasopharynx.
- Congenital abnormalities, for example: hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia/Osler’s disease.
- Environmental influences, for example: living in a very high area, low air pressure, or an environment with very dry air
- Habit of picking nose
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of nosebleeds or epistaxis is determined from a medical interview and physical examination. Supporting examinations can be carried out if needed by a doctor.
Examinations carried out include:
- Anterior rhinoscopy. This examination aims to see the source of bleeding in the nose.
- Posterior rhinoscopy. This examination aims to see the source of bleeding from the nasopharynx or part of the nose that is related to the pharynx (breath behind it). If there are repeated nosebleeds, especially in adults, this examination aims to rule out the possibility of nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure should be measured to rule out hypertension because hypertension can cause severe and often recurrent posterior epistaxis.
Treatment
The first aid that can be done to deal with nosebleeds or epistaxis at home is by:
- The patient is in a sitting position, unless the patient is very weak or in a state of shock, the patient can lie down with his head tilted.
- In children who often experience mild epistaxis, bleeding can be stopped by sitting up. Hold your head up and press your nostrils toward the bridge of your nose.
If the above methods don’t help, then you should immediately see a doctor. The doctor will identify the cause of the bleeding, whether it is from the front or back of the nose. Or it could be both. Thus, the next more appropriate treatment can be determined.