The smell of blood in the nose is a sign of a pathological process in the body. In normal condition, such a symptom is absent. An unpleasant sensation can appear with various diseases, both life-threatening and not. In any case, it is worth visiting a therapist, undergoing a comprehensive examination.
Dysosmia
Specialists call this term a condition in which the patient does not correctly perceive the surrounding aromas. As a rule, this phenomenon is not dangerous. Improper perception of aromas can occur against the background of hormonal disorders. So, many women complain that the nose smells of blood in the first trimester of pregnancy. This happens because the body adapts to its new state.
In old age, dysosmia may be associated with atrophy of nerve endings. In this case, the smell of blood in the nose will manifest itself with high blood pressure. Unpleasant symptoms may develop while taking certain medications. Long-term smoking (more than 10 years) will also contribute to damage to scent receptors. In addition, alcoholism often leads to the development of dysosmia.
The pathological process can develop against the background of other chronic diseases that are not related to the respiratory system. Therefore, if there is a smell of blood in the nose, it is worth making an appointment with the therapist.
Malignant tumors
A swelling in the nose can lead to improper perception of odors. Statistical data indicate that more than 2% of cases of malignant tumors are occupied by sinus cancer. Representatives of the stronger sex are more likely to experience the disease than women. As a rule, these are people of working age.
The exact causes of the disease are currently unknown. However, there are factors that can contribute to the development of dangerous cells in the body. This includes the characteristics of the professional environment, bad habits, as well as chronic inflammation of the nasopharynx. Significantly increases the risk of developing the disease in patients who work in the woodworking industry. Special respirators help protect against unpleasant consequences.
Symptoms of a malignant tumor in the nose can be very diverse. The smell of blood in the nose may be the first sign of a dangerous process in the body. The sooner a tumor can be identified, the more likely it is to completely recover.
Therapy Features
Before starting the right treatment, the specialist must understand what kind of education had to face, where exactly it is located. The specialist makes a preliminary diagnosis based on the patient's complaints. The smell of blood in the nose and headache are dangerous signs that may indicate the initial stage of the malignant process. The doctor also draws attention to external symptoms, such as discharge from the nose, facial deformation.
As a rule, it is possible to overcome a dangerous disease with the help of combination therapy. This includes surgery, chemotherapy, drug treatment. The amount of intervention depends on the location and size of the cancer.
The prognosis depends on the stage of the malignant process. If the patient asked for help immediately after detecting a smell of blood in the nose, there is every chance to overcome a dangerous ailment.
Rhinitis
Many people face the inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa. Such a nuisance is accompanied by any cold. Why does my nose smell blood? It is possible that we had to run into a runny nose. The pathological process is manifested by edema, nasal congestion, burning in the nasal cavity. In addition, the patient begins to perceive aromas distorted. Many complain of an unpleasant smell of blood.
The inflammatory process can spread to other parts of the respiratory system. The aroma of blood in the nose can occur with sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, otitis media, etc. If you refuse timely treatment, dangerous complications will develop.
The most common is acute rhinitis. Everyone faces such a disease during the period of seasonal colds. Pathology has an infectious nature. The disease proceeds in three stages. Initially, a headache appears, general malaise. During this period, many complain of the appearance of an unpleasant odor of blood in the nasal cavity. Further, the mucous membrane begins to swell, breathing is complicated. Acute rhinitis lasts, as a rule, 7-10 days.
Hypertrophic rhinitis
This is a special form of the disease in which proliferation of connective tissue is observed. The pathological process is observed, as a rule, in the lower part of the nasal concha. As the connective tissue grows, the smell of blood in the nose may increase. This form of the disease often develops in young children with adenoids. In this case, surgical intervention is required.
Patients complain not only that the nose smells of blood. Concerned also is the pronounced congestion of the nasal passages. Due to respiratory failure, a number of concomitant pathologies develop. Often, in patients with hypertrophic rhinitis, sleep is disturbed, chronic headaches appear.
The pathological growths of connective tissue can be removed easily with the help of cryodestruction or cauterization. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia.
Nasopharyngitis
The disease is also associated with the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. In the vast majority of cases, a bacterial infection leads to the development of a pathological process. However, fungi and viruses can also provoke an ailment. Nasopharyngitis can be acute and chronic. In both cases, the disease may be accompanied by the smell of blood in the nose.
Initially, the pathological process almost always develops in an acute form. If the therapy is carried out incorrectly or untimely, the disease becomes chronic. Moreover, a longer and more expensive treatment is required.
Nasopharyngitis, like rhinitis, begins with a burning sensation in the nose. Then serous discharge appears.
Disease treatment
With proper therapy, recovery occurs within a week. The doctor chooses the treatment method based on the nature of the disease. If a disease provoked a bacterial infection, antibiotics cannot be dispensed with. As a rule, drugs with a wide spectrum of action are used. Additionally, antiviral agents, immunostimulants, vitamins can be prescribed. At high body temperature, antipyretic drugs are necessarily used.
If nasal breathing is difficult, vasoconstrictors are often used. However, you should not get involved in such medicines. They can be addictive. In addition, after taking such drops, there may be a smell of blood in the nose and dizziness.
Polyps of the nose
Outgrowths of hypertrophic mucosa can also lead to distortion of aromas. Often with this diagnosis, there is a smell of blood in the nose. The causes of the pathological process can be different. Statistics indicate that up to 5% of the world's population faces a problem. In men, polyps are observed much more often than in women. Often, the disease develops due to the anatomical features of the nasal cavity. In this regard, the disease can be hereditary. Chronic inflammatory diseases also lead to the appearance of growths in the nose. This includes sinusitis, allergic ailments of the respiratory tract, asthmatic bronchitis.
In most cases, polyps begin to grow in the ethmoid sinus. “I can smell the blood in my nose,” patients complain for the first time for help. Pathology can not be ignored. Polyps increase in size over time, occupying the entire nasal cavity. Significantly worsens nasal breathing. Patients become irritable, quickly tire. The appearance of polyps in childhood can lead to a violation of the structure of the skull.
At the initial stage of the disease, success can be achieved using conservative therapy. Treatment is aimed at eliminating factors that can provoke the growth of polyps. If nasal breathing is impaired, it is no longer possible to do without surgery. The growths are removed under local anesthesia. If the operation goes smoothly, after a few hours the patient can go home.
Blood diseases
The smell of blood in the nasal cavity can be felt with frequent capillary bleeding. Pathology can be congenital or acquired. Often, such a symptom is experienced by people with a low rate of blood coagulation. Hemophilia is a dangerous hereditary disease that cannot always be detected immediately after birth. A full-fledged lifestyle for the patient allows replacement therapy. The patient is administered drugs that replace the missing components of the blood.
Anemia is another common disease that can cause a smell of blood in your nose. Against the background of a sharp decrease in hemoglobin level, the patient becomes more tired, pale. The patient cannot fully solve everyday tasks. Anemia often develops during pregnancy. The problem is easily eliminated with the help of special preparations based on iron.
Polycythemia is a disease that develops due to a sharp increase in the body of red blood cells. The pathological process leads to the formation of blood clots and can lead to death.
Oncological group includes a disease called leukemia. The first sign of a pathological process can also be the smell of blood in the nose.
Hypertensive encephalopathy
Chronic progressive disease of the brain tissue can also be detected due to the smell of blood in the nose. A pathological process develops against a background of prolonged uncontrolled hypertension. The small vessels of the brain are gradually affected. Failure to timely therapy can lead to atherosclerosis and death of the patient.
High blood pressure is the main factor leading to the development of the disease. Each hypertensive crisis leads to the death of a small part of the blood vessels of the brain. Nighttime rises in blood pressure are dangerous. In this case, the patient may feel normal. The smell of blood in the nose in the morning can alert. Such a symptom is an occasion to consult a therapist.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure hypertensive encephalopathy. Proper therapy will stop the development of the disease. The patient must be prescribed vasodilators, as well as drugs that improve blood microcirculation.
Summarize
Why does the nose smell of blood? An unpleasant aroma may be present in a variety of pathological processes. The first thing to do is to make an appointment with the doctor. The specialist will conduct a series of diagnostic tests and determine what the unpleasant symptom is associated with. The sooner treatment is started, the lower the likelihood of dangerous complications.