What is epistaxis?
Epistaxis or a nosebleed is the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of the nose. Epistaxis is quite prevalent and everyone will have at least one nosebleed once in the lifetime. The location of the nose in the middle of the face and the presence of a number of blood vessels close to the surface around make it an easy target for injury including nosebleed.
Is epistaxis serious?
Although seeing blood from your nose can be alarming, mostly it is not life-threatening. However, they should be screened by the doctor for any serious cause. For instance, if you have nosebleeds, it could be an early sign of some serious health condition that needs medical intervention.
A few of the epistaxis or nosebleed starts in the back. These nosebleeds, if involve large blood vessels, can be dangerous. You will need medical care if this type of bleeding occurs after an injury and the bleeding has not stopped for more than 20 minutes, even after applying pressure to the nose.
What are the different types of Epistaxis?
Epistaxis is classified based on the area bleeding
Anterior nosebleed starts in the lower part of the wall that separates the two sides of the noses. The blood vessels and Capillaries in this part are very fragile and break easily. This is a benign condition that is quite common. Mostly it occurs in children and can be treated at home.
A posterior nosebleed occurs inside the nose. The cause is the damage of the large blood vessels in the back portion of the nose near the throat. It is a serious form of nosebleed because it results in heavy bleeding. This form of epistaxis needs immediate medical intervention. It is quite common in adults.
What causes nosebleeds?
There are many causes of nosebleeds, while most of them are not serious.
The most common cause of nosebleed is breathing dry air. Dry air is the result of a low-humid climate and hot air. Dry air makes the membranes of the nasal dry up and causes them to bleed when rubbed or when blowing the nose.
Other common causes of nosebleeds include:
- Nose picking.
- Inserting any object into your nose.
- Colds and sinusitis, Repeated episodes of sneezing, coughing, and nose blowing.
- Blowing your nose forcefully.
- Injury to the nose.
- Injury to the face.
- Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.
- Use of blood-thinning drugs.
- Cocaine and other drugs inhaled through the nose.
- Exposure to chemical irritants.
- Being in high altitudes. The air is thinner and drier as the altitude increases.
- Deviated septum.
- Frequent use of nasal sprays and medications to treat itchy, stuffy nose.
Other, less common causes of nosebleeds include:
- Consuming alcohol.
- Facial and nasal surgery.
- Bleeding disorders.
- High blood pressure.
- Nasal tumors.
- Nasal polyps.
- Immune thrombocytopenia.
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
Who is at the risk of epistaxis?
Anyone can get epistaxis, but the risk is more in:
- Children between ages two and 10.
- Adults between ages 45 and 65. In this age group, blood takes longer to clot.
- The use of blood-thinning drugs puts a person at risk.
- Having high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, or a bleeding disorder.
- Pregnant women.
Ways to stop epistaxis
You can follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:
- Relax and sit down and press the soft part of your nose, slightly above the nostrils, for around 10 minutes.
- Lean forward and take breathe through your mouth. This will allow the blood to flow to the nose instead of the back of the throat.
- Ice packs or a cold bag covered by a towel on the nose bridge can be used.
- Do not lie down, instead stay upright as this reduces the blood pressure in the nose’s blood vessels. This will prevent further bleeding.
- Relax and sit upright. Lean your body slightly forward. This will keep the blood from running down the throat, which can cause nausea and vomiting.
After the bleeding has stopped, do not bend or lift anything heavy. Do not blow or rub your nose for several days.
Ayurvedic treatment for epistaxis
As per Ayurveda, epistaxis is a condition of aggravated Pitta. Aggravated Pitta mixes with blood tissue and causes epistaxis. It can appear along with other diseases or symptoms as well.