Epistaxis
Epistaxis is a medical term for nosebleed. It is a common condition and can be caused by several factors including trauma, hypertension, and certain medical conditions.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Epistaxis can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:
- Trauma: This is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Trauma can be due to a direct blow to the nose, or can be caused by picking the nose.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure can cause the blood vessels in the nose to burst, leading to a nosebleed.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as hemophilia and leukemia, can cause nosebleeds. These conditions affect the body's ability to clot blood, which can lead to bleeding.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The main symptom of epistaxis is bleeding from the nose. The blood can flow out of the nostrils, or it can flow back into the throat and be swallowed. Other symptoms can include:
- A feeling of liquid running down the back of the throat
- A salty taste in the mouth
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for epistaxis depends on the cause and severity of the nosebleed. In most cases, the nosebleed can be stopped by pinching the nostrils together and leaning forward slightly. This puts pressure on the bleeding point in the nose and allows the blood to drain out of the nostrils rather than down the throat.
If the nosebleed is caused by a medical condition, treatment may involve addressing the underlying condition. For example, if the nosebleed is caused by high blood pressure, treatment may involve medication to lower blood pressure.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of epistaxis involves avoiding the factors that can cause nosebleeds. This can include:
- Avoiding picking the nose
- Using a humidifier to keep the nasal passages moist
- Avoiding blowing the nose too hard
- Keeping the blood pressure under control
| Epistaxis Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
