Nosebleed refers to blood flowing from the nose or nasal passage. There are two types of nosebleeds:
Causes include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for nosebleed include:
Nosebleed symptoms differ, depending on where in the nose the bleeding begins.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your pulse and blood pressure will be taken carefully, because severe bleeding can cause these to become dangerously low.
Tests may include:
Most anterior nosebleeds stop without medical care within 30 minutes. Posterior nosebleeds usually are more serious and need medical care. Go to your doctor if there is a lot of blood, if the bleeding will not stop, or if you experience nosebleeds often. Treatment may include sealing off the blood vessel that is bleeding.
For an anterior nosebleed, the doctor will place a compress soaked in a medication that constricts or shrinks the blood vessel and reduces the pain. Pressure will be applied by pinching the nostrils together. The doctor may pack the area with gauze. In more severe cases, the doctor may cauterize, or seal off, a blood vessel that does not clot on its own.
A posterior nosebleed may require inserting and inflating a special balloon that applies pressure on the area. If all medical attempts to control bleeding fail, surgery may be needed.
If you are diagnosed with a nosebleed, follow your doctor's instructions .
To reduce the chance of getting a nosebleed:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org
Familydoctor.org, American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
http://www.entcanada.org/default.asp
References:
American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ .
Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult .1Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 1999.
Primary Care Medicine . 4th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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