NOSE BLEED

 EPISTAXIS (Nose Bleed)

                  “Epistaxis” is the medical term for a nosebleed. A nose bleed, meaning a loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of your nose, can occur in one or both nostrils. Usually, it only affects one nostril.

Although these annoying and scary looking nosebleeds aren't dangerous. Frequent nosebleeds are those that occur more than once a week.

TYPES OF NOSE BLEEDS: 

There are majorly two types of nose bleeds: 

1. Anterior nosebleed: This type of nose bleed starts at the front of the nose, towards the lower part of septum. The capillaries and blood vessels present here are fragile and ruptures easily. It's the most common type especially seen in children. 

2. Posterior nosebleed:  Occurs deep inside the nose where large blood vessels are affected and blood flows at the back of the throat. Heavy blood loss is seen. It's a medical emergency.

COMMON CAUSES: 

1. Dry air — when your nasal membranes dry out, they're more susceptible to bleeding and infections
2. Nose picking

CAUSES BASED ON VARIOUS AGE GROUPS: 

• Children between the ages of two and 10: Dry air, cold, allergy and sticking fingers and objects into their noses make children more prone to nosebleeds.
• Adults between the ages of 45 and 80: Blood may take longer to clot in mid-life and in older adults. These adults are also more likely to have high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the walls of arteries) or a bleeding disorder
• Pregnant people: Blood vessels in your nose expand while you’re pregnant, which puts more pressure on the delicate blood vessels in the lining of your nose.
• People taking blood-thinning medications: These drugs include aspirin and warfarin .
• People who have blood clotting disorders

SYMPTOMS: 

• bleeding from either or both nostrils
• a sensation of flowing liquid at the back of the throat
• the urge to swallow frequently.

FIRST AID MANAGEMENT FOR NOSE BLEEDS:

• Reassure the person, especially children, as crying increases blood flow.

• Sit the person up straight and drop their head slightly forward. This will keep the blood from running down the throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. (Don’t lay flat or put his/her head between their legs.)

• Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
• Apply finger and thumb pressure on the soft part of nostrils below the bridge of the nose for at least 10 minutes.
• Encourage the person to breathe through their mouth while their nostrils are pinched.

• Apply an ice pack to the bridge of nose to further help narrow blood vessels (which will slow the bleeding) and provide comfort. 

• Optional step: spray an over-the-counter decongestant spray, such as oxymetazoline into the bleeding side of your nose and then apply pressure to your nose.

NOTE: Frequent use of topical decongestants are not advised as they may increase the chances of further nose bleeds. 

• After the bleeding stops, don’t bend over, strain and/or lift anything heavy. Don’t blow or rub your nose for several days.

THANK YOU!