Nosebleed - injury
Alternative names:
nose bleeding;
nose blood loss
Definition:
Loss of blood
from the mucous membranes that line the nose, most commonly
from one nostril only.
Considerations:
Nosebleeds
are very common. A nosebleed may be caused by trauma such
as fingering the nose, forceful nose blowing, direct impact
to the nose, and similar situations. A nosebleed may also
be caused by irritation or dryness of the lining of the nose,
which may occur with low humidity and dry environment, allergic
rhinitis, colds,
or sinusitis. Deviated
septum, foreign objects in the nose, or other nasal
obstruction may cause also cause nosebleeds.
Most nosebleeds occur on the tip of the nasal septum, which
contains many fragile, easily damaged blood vessels. More
rarely, nosebleeds may occur higher on the septum or deeper
in the nose. These higher or deeper nosebleeds may be harder
to control.
Occasionally, nosebleeds may indicate other disorders such
as bleeding disorders,
hypertension, or arteriosclerosis.
Hereditary hemorrhagic
telangiectasia (also called HHT or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome,
a disorder involving a vascular growth similar to a birthmark
in the back of the nose) may be evidenced by nosebleeds. Most
nosebleeds begin on the septum, the midline, vertical cartilage
that separates the nasal chambers and is lined with fragile
blood vessels. This form of nosebleed is not serious and is
usually easy to stop.
Common Causes:
- Sudden trauma
to the nose, very cold or very dry air, fragile blood vessels,
nasal sprays, strenuous exercise,
or fingering the nose cause most nosebleeds.
- Recurrent nosebleeds
may be a symptom of an underlying disorder such as high
blood pressure, taking large doses of aspirin or blood
thinning medication, allergies,
a bleeding disorder,
or a tumor of the nose
or sinuses.
- Most nosebleeds
come from blood vessels in the front of the nose. Some are
caused by bleeding
from the back of the nose into the throat (posterior bleeding);
these are more difficult to control and almost always require
medical attention.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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