Epistaxis

What is Epistaxis?

Epistaxis as acute hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. Epistaxis is bleeding from the nostril.

Causes

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • An object stuck in the nose
  • Barotrauma
  • Blowing the nose very hard
  • Chemical irritants
  • Direct injury to nose, including a broken nose
  • Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
  • Nose picking
  • Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays
  • Repeated sneezing
  • Surgery on the face or nose
  • Taking large doses of aspirin or blood-thinning medicine
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Very cold or very dry air

Repeated nosebleeds may be a symptom of another disease such as high blood pressure, allergies,a bleeding disorder or a tumor of the nose or sinuses.

Symptoms:

Nosebleeds usually involve one nostril, but occasionally both nostrils are involved. If one nostril becomes partially blocked with a blood clot, the blood might flow out the other nostril or down the back of the throat. In a posterior nosebleed (higher up in the nose), large amounts of blood typically flow down the back of the throat. The amount of bleeding from a nosebleed can vary with posterior bleeds usually bleeding significantly more.