Common Causes and Treatment of Nosebleed

Bleeding from the nose is a fairly common occurrence. You may be surprised to find blood dripping from your nose suddenly. Why does this happen?

Causes- Nose bleeding is not a symptom with serious repercussions. General clotting disorders may result in bleeding from the surface capillaries and are often seen as bleeding from the nose, gums or mouth. The sensitive nasal membranes can bleed from being exposed to dry climatic conditions or even from infections like a common cold. Another very common cause of nosebleed is injury to the membrane by nails, foreign objects or even by blowing the nose too hard. Room heaters may dry the nasal membrane completely and cause profuse nose bleeding. Physical trauma is often the most common reason of nosebleed. Hypertension resulting in bleeding from the nose is a myth. Most doctors tend to check your blood pressure as a normal medical procedure.

Treatment- Nose bleed can occur from one or both the nostrils and you may also feel a fluid flow backwards. There is no need for panic. You can arrest the bleeding yourself within a short period of time.

You need to lean forwards when you find yourself bleeding from the nose. Start breathing through the mouth as you pinch the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger. Keep the pressure on for about ten minutes, release it and keep repeating the procedure until the bleeding stops completely. Take care not to blow your nose immediately afterwards. Application of a cold compress across the bridge of your nose will also help to stop the bleeding.

If the bleeding reoccurs after some time then it is definitely time to consult a doctor. Medical procedure usually includes packing the nose with gauze or cauterizing the blood vessels by means of a heated instrument or a chemical. Trauma to the nose may cause respiratory problems later on. Therefore, it is wise to disclose the nature of trauma to the doctor.

Be careful not to lift heavy objects or take common analgesic medicines within 12 hours of the nosebleed.