Causes of nosebleeds in adults and first aid

The causes of nosebleeds in adults can be different. To identify them for sure, it is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo a medical examination. If in the near future you can’t get to the hospital, then you can find out the main causes of nosebleeds in adults from the presented article.

general information

Epistaxis (the causes in adults will be described a bit below) and nosebleeds are similar, but not equal in meaning. To find out what is the difference between these pathological processes, we will define each of them:

1. Nose bleed. This phenomenon is observed when blood comes from the vessels of the nasal cavity, as well as its paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx. As a rule, this process occurs due to a violation of their integrity.
2. Bleeding from the nose. Most often, this pathological condition occurs when the upper walls of the nasal cavity are damaged. In other words, the integrity of the vessels that are located in the skull is violated.

Sources of bleeding

Epistaxis in adults and children can have various sources. So, often the blood comes from the respiratory tract, esophagus and even the stomach. In such cases, it flows into the nasal cavity through the so-called choanas, that is, the internal openings that connect the nasal cavity and pharynx.

Everything about nosebleeds in adults and children is not known even to the most experienced doctors, because the mucous membrane of this organ is very actively supplied with blood, as it has a huge blood network woven from small vessels and capillaries.

According to statistics, most often regularly occurring nosebleeds indicate the development of a serious disease. Although such a pathology can also occur in completely healthy people of different ages.

Blood from the nose: causes

The causes of nosebleeds in adults and children are divided into local and general. To understand how they differ in people of different ages, consider them in more detail.

Children

The mucous membrane of the baby’s nose is quite tender, which is why it is easily injured. Its blood supply is provided by branches of the carotid artery. In 90% of cases in children, it is precisely the small capillaries that are located in the anterior-lower part of the septum of the new cavity, where, in fact, the most bleeding zone, unofficially called the Kisselbach zone, is located.

In childhood, in addition to general and local causes of nosebleeds, external ones are also distinguished. These include damage to the vessels of the mucosa:

• a foreign body (a pea button, a pencil, details of toys, etc.);
• while picking a finger in the nose.

Local reasons

The causes of local nosebleeds in young children include:

• atrophic rhinitis;
• injuries to the nose, as well as bruises or fractures;
• tumors in the nasal passages (hemangiomas, angiofibromas or polyps);
• drying of the nasal cavity, which leads to fragility of the capillaries (with prolonged exposure to an unventilated and very hot room).

Common reasons

Common causes of nosebleeds in young children include:

• increased body temperature of the child;
• infectious diseases (for example, acute respiratory viral infections, scarlet fever, flu, etc.);
• blood diseases with a violation of its coagulation;
• increased intracranial or blood pressure;
• liver disease
• hereditary diseases (e.g. hemophilia);
• excessive physical activity (during sports, games, etc.);
• hormonal adjustment;
• lack of certain trace elements and vitamins in the body;
• overheating in the sun, as well as sudden changes in pressure (atmospheric).

Teens

Bleeding from the nose is a dangerous sign if this deviation occurs very often and is accompanied by headaches or other pains.

It should be noted that the common and local causes of nosebleeds in adolescents are the same as in young children. But most often this deviation is associated with hormonal restructuring of the child's body (during puberty).

In addition, blood from the nose of a teenager can regularly flow due to increased arterial or intracranial pressure due to excessive psychoemotional or physical stress. In other words, overwork is the most likely cause of bleeding in children 12-16 years old.

Adults

What are the causes of nosebleeds in adults? They are also divided into local and general. By the way, with age, this phenomenon occurs more and more often. Let us consider in more detail what it may be associated with.

Local reasons

Local causes of nosebleeds in adults may include the following:

• acute or chronic (so-called atrophic) rhinitis ;
• medical procedures or surgery (for example, nasogastric sounding, sinus puncture, endoscopy, etc.);
• foreign bodies in the nasal passages (for example, piercings), tattoos on the face, etc .;
• bruises, injuries or fractures of the nose;
• curvature of the septum of the nasal cavity;
• benign formations (e.g., hemangiomas, polyps, and angiofibromas);
• burns (chemical, thermal or radiation);
• malignant tumors;
• bad habit, which is picking in the nose.
  

Common reasons

What else can cause nosebleeds? The causes in adults (general) are often as follows:

• disturbances in the blood coagulation system, as well as its diseases (for example, leukemia) and hemorrhagic diathesis;
• lack of vitamins K and C in the body, lack of calcium;
• congenital pathology (e.g., Randu-Osler disease, hemophilia);
• vascular pathology (e.g., hypertension, heart defects, atherosclerosis, and vascular anomaly);
• pathological conditions due to sudden changes in pressure (most often found in pilots, divers, astronauts, climbers, etc.);
• fever (for example, with kidney and liver diseases, infectious diseases);
• when the body overheats;
• hormonal imbalances (for example, during pregnancy or menopause);
• taking medications that prevent blood coagulation.

It should also be noted that nosebleeds in healthy people can occur due to stressful situations or significant physical exertion. The cause of this deviation is often the inhalation of dry or frosty air (in hot summers or cold winters).

Often, blood from the nose in healthy adults can flow after a long exposure to the sun (or as a result of the so-called “sunstroke”). At the same time, a person has tinnitus, weakness, severe headaches, and sometimes loss of consciousness.

If bleeding in healthy people occurs infrequently and is in no way associated with serious internal diseases, then, as a rule, this phenomenon quickly stops and is not very profuse.

Aged people

In older people, blood from the nose can flow for the same reasons as in healthy adults, but with some nuances. The main feature of this age is that in an old person, the capillaries of the posterior sections of the nose lose their elasticity over time, resulting in heavy bleeding.

It should also be noted that hypertension is a fairly common cause of this deviation in older people.

Why can there be blood from the nose?

Now you know why nosebleeds are observed periodically or constantly in certain people. 4 main reasons:

• mechanical damage to vessels located in the nasal cavity;
• hormonal imbalance;
• internal diseases;
• arterial or intracranial pressure.

Bleeding from the nose: causes, treatment and first aid

Above, we spoke in detail about why such a deviation can occur in a person at one age or another. Now I want to tell you how to provide first aid for such a deviation.

If a person has severe nosebleeds, it is recommended:

1. Sit on a chair and tilt your head slightly. Throwing it back is highly discouraged, as blood can therefore swallow easily, cause vomiting, or even get into the airways.
2. If bleeding was caused by overheating in the sun, then the person should be immediately taken to a shade or ventilated area (preferably cool).
3. During bleeding, it is recommended to unfasten the collar, and then open the window for more access to fresh cool air.
4. A tissue bag filled with ice or a bandage (handkerchief) dipped in cold water should be applied to the nose.
5. If blood flows from the nose for a long time, then the wing of the respiratory organ should be pressed with a finger to the septum of the nose and held for about 10 minutes.
6. To quickly stop the bleeding, it is necessary to moisten the swab (gauze or cotton) in a 3% peroxide solution and carefully insert it into the nose.