Nosebleeds are sometimes quite dramatic because the blood runs unexpectedly and sometimes in not inconsiderable amounts visibly down the face. There are also serious illnesses that can be behind the nosebleed, but mostly it is a fairly harmless occurrence. In the event of an acute nosebleed, if some behavioral measures are taken to heart, the bleeding can usually be stopped without medical attention.
Table of Contents
- What to do if you have a nosebleed
- Epistaxis – the most important facts
- Epistaxis: causes of sudden bleeding
- Habitual nosebleeds
- Traumatic causes of nosebleeds
- Epistaxis as a symptom of illness
- Immediate action in case of nosebleeds
- Epistaxis: Medical treatment to stop the bleeding
- Naturopathy for nosebleeds
- Holistic medicine
Epistaxis – the most important facts
In most cases of nosebleeds, there is no need to be particularly concerned, but it can be frightening for those affected, especially if it occurs for the first time and if large amounts of blood leak. In addition, in some cases and in repeated cases, a doctor’s examination is necessary, since in the worst case, there can be serious causes behind the nosebleeds. Here are the most important facts in advance:
- Definition: Nosebleed (epistaxis) describes a sudden discharge of blood from one nostril or both nostrils. Depending on the source of the bleeding, epistaxis can also be divided into anterior and posterior bleeding as well as bleeding with direct causes in the nasal area and nosebleeds as a result of other diseases.
- Causes: Traumatic injuries caused by external forces (e.g. broken nasal bone, cheekbone fracture, other injuries to the nasal septum and base of the skull), bleeding of the nasal mucosa as a result of inflammation and irritation (e.g. due to allergies, contact with toxic substances, dry air, foreign bodies in the nose or that simple nasal drilling), malformations of the nasal septum, tumors in the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinuses or the nasopharynx, acute infectious diseases (e.g. measles or flu), high blood pressure, various hereditary diseases, certain autoimmune diseases, a pathological tendency to bleed, extreme vitamin C deficiency, vitamin K deficiency, side effect of medication.
- Stop nosebleeds: First of all, some immediate measures are required in the event of nosebleeds in order to avoid unnecessary risks and to stop the bleeding. Sufferers should hang their heads forward in an upright sitting position to facilitate blood flow. If the head is tilted back, the blood is swallowed and, in the worst case, the airways can be blocked by penetrating blood. Squeezing the nostrils together for several minutes (in the sitting position) can help stop some forms of nosebleed (for example, from the Kiesselbachi locus). Cooling wraps around the neck are also recommended as an immediate measure.
- When to the doctor : If the nosebleed cannot be stopped after a maximum of 20 minutes (in children after 15 minutes) despite immediate measures and / or if critical accompanying symptoms appear (e.g. clouded consciousness or fainting), an emergency room should be consulted immediately. This is also necessary in the event of a pathological tendency to bleed.
- Prevent nosebleeds: dry heating air, avoid toxic substances such as tobacco smoke and allergens, take regular nasal showers, ensure adequate fluid intake (water or unsweetened herbal tea) and, if necessary, avoid drugs that can cause nosebleeds as a side effect.
Nosebleeds are a relatively common symptom, with a wide range of possible triggers. (Image: Friedberg / fotolia.com)
Epistaxis: causes of sudden bleeding
Overall, nosebleeds are an extremely widespread symptom which, according to an American study , occurs more frequently in winter and which affects older people more. Seasonally, nosebleeds were most common in the study group in January and least common in September. When it comes to the causes of the nosebleed, a distinction must be made between harmless variants and the causes of the symptoms that require treatment. Repeated occurrences should, however, always be the reason for a doctor’s visit.
Habitual nosebleeds
The medical name for nosebleeds is “epistaxis”, comes from the Greek and translates as “to trickle on”. In fact, however, the nosebleeds are often violent, so that those affected and observers are initially shocked.
In most cases, nosebleeds are a recurring and harmless phenomenon that affects children in particular and is known as “habitual nosebleeds”. It arises in the anterior nasal septum, where a superficial network of vessels lies. In this so-called “Locus Kiesselbachi”, external influences, such as blowing the nose or drilling into the nose, can cause minor injuries to the blood vessels that trigger nosebleeds.
Traumatic causes of nosebleeds
Head injuries and broken bones from falls, blows and accidents often lead to an injury to the nasal septum or base of the skull and the surrounding blood vessels, causing nosebleeds. The nasal mucosa can also be injured by dry air, exposure to chemical substances or the introduction of foreign bodies into the nose.
Epistaxis as a symptom of illness
There are a number of acute infectious diseases that can be associated with nosebleeds, such as the flu or typhoid. However, nosebleeds can also appear as a symptom of arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure , blood clotting disorders, vascular diseases and be an expression of a vitamin deficiency (scurvy, vitamin K deficiency).
Finally, nosebleeds can also be the result of various tumors such as polyps, benign nasopharyngeal fibroma, but also malignant carcinomas.
Immediate action in case of nosebleeds
If nosebleeds occur repeatedly, an ear, nose and throat doctor should rule out malignant causes. If it is a one-off or habitual nosebleed, those affected or their relatives can usually stop the blood flow independently by taking appropriate measures.
The head should not be tilted backwards, otherwise the blood will run into the throat and the inevitable swallowing of the blood will often lead to nausea and vomiting . There is also a risk of blood entering the lungs via the windpipe.
It is advisable to sit upright (as this lowers the blood pressure in the head a little), bend your upper body slightly forward and let your head hang forward. In this position, the nostrils can be closed firmly with the fingers for a few minutes in order to stop the bleeding. A similar effect is achieved with a cold stimulus, which is set by placing a cold wrap over a cooling pillow in the neck area.
(Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)
It is only necessary to keep an eye on your pulse and blood pressure in order to avoid a shock if there is very large blood loss. The sitting posture is also suitable for this because the extent of blood loss can be better observed. If the bleeding cannot be stopped in the manner described, medical help should be sought as a precaution.
Epistaxis: Medical treatment to stop the bleeding
While the treatment of this disease must be in the foreground for forms of nosebleed that are triggered by another disease, symptom-related therapy is possible for other forms, which is intended to stop acute bleeding and prevent it from occurring again. If the source of the bleeding can be clearly located in the anterior nasal area, it can be obliterated with acid etching or with electro- or laser coagulation. Subsequently, the interior of the nose is treated afterwards.
If the source of bleeding cannot be located immediately or if the bleeding cannot be stopped by sclerotherapy, a tamponade made of gauze strips soaked in ointment or foam can be inserted. This must always be done on both sides in order to generate sufficient pressure on the blood vessels and to avoid one-sided pressure on the nasal septum. A similar effect can also be created using an inflatable balloon catheter made of silicone. If there is so-called posterior nosebleed, a special tamponade (posterior tamponade) can also be placed, whereby the procedure is carried out under anesthesia.
In the case of heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped with the procedures mentioned, the supplying vessels can be embolized to prevent the bleeding. Some forms of nosebleed can only be treated successfully with surgery.
Naturopathy for nosebleeds
From the point of view of naturopathy , the (conventionally often carried out) obliteration of blood vessels in the nasal mucous membrane should be viewed critically because the bleeding – like every reaction of the body – is ascribed a function and thus a shift in symptoms is feared.
Once the nosebleed has been clarified by a doctor and malignant causes have been ruled out, various natural healing methods can alleviate the nosebleed. From the field of herbal medicine, for example, nasal rinses with horsetail or oak bark extract for nosebleeds are worth trying. A mixture of cold water, vinegar and lemon can also be drawn into the nose.
Holistic medicine
Homeopathy, in particular, provides some means for hemostasis that promise relief from nosebleeds. Arnica can help if the bleeding is caused by an injury to the nasal mucous membrane or by great physical exertion. Phosphorus can also be the right remedy after exertion, but especially in case of nosebleeds after blowing your nose and sneezing. If violent excitement (fear, excitement) plays a role in the cause, it may be worth trying aconite. If you have a tendency to recurrent nosebleeds, it is also possible to have constitutional treatment carried out in a homeopathic practice.
In acute cases, you can also try the emergency drops from Bach flower therapy for internal use, which are also available as an ointment for local application
