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Causes of Nosebleeds in Adults
A nosebleed, medically referred to as epistaxis, occurs when the nose hemorrhages and releases blood through the nostrils. Most nosebleeds originate from the nasal septum, but some can come from deeper in the nose. Although a nosebleed may be frightening, most conditions that cause nosebleeds are not serious or life threatening.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Nasal Fracture
A nasal fracture occurs when physical trauma to the nose causes damage or breakage to the bone or cartilage in the nose. Nasal fractures commonly occur as a result of injury during contact sports, falls or car accidents. Immediate and severe pain follows a nasal fracture. After the initial pain, the nose begins to bleed, and breathing becomes difficult. The inside and outside areas of the nose swell, and dark bruises form under and around the eyes, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology 2. If a nasal fracture occurs without any movement of the bone, treatment is not required. Fractures that cause the nose to shift position may require surgery.
- A nasal fracture occurs when physical trauma to the nose causes damage or breakage to the bone or cartilage in the nose.
Deviated Septum
Alternative Procedures to Cauterization for Nose Bleeds
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The nasal septum is a thin wall that separates the nasal cavity into two nasal passages. In an ideal case, the nasal septum divides the nasal passages into two equal spaces. Those with a deviated septum have a nasal septum that is displaced to one side, which makes one of the nasal passages smaller than the other 3. A deviated septum may be present at birth or may develop later in life as a result of injury to the nose 3. Symptoms of a deviated septum include nosebleeds, difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, recurring sinus infections and noisy breathing during sleep, according to MayoClinic.com 13.cause:
- Symptoms of a deviated septum include nosebleeds
- difficulty breathing
- nasal congestion
- recurring sinus infections
- noisy breathing during sleep
- according to MayoClinic.com 13
If symptoms are bearable, adults with a deviated septum may not need treatment 3. If symptoms are severe and breathing is significantly obstructed, surgery may be needed to correct the deviation.
- The nasal septum is a thin wall that separates the nasal cavity into two nasal passages.
- Those with a deviated septum have a nasal septum that is displaced to one side, which makes one of the nasal passages smaller than the other 3.cause: * Symptoms of a deviated septum include nosebleeds
* difficulty breathing
* nasal congestion
* recurring sinus infections
* noisy breathing during sleep
* according to MayoClinic.com 1 If symptoms are bearable, adults with a deviated septum may not need treatment 3.
Von Willebrand Disease
The blood contains proteins called coagulation factors that allow the blood to clot to stop bleeding. If any of these proteins is missing, the blood cannot clot properly, which results in excessive or abnormal bleeding. Von Willebrand disease is a hereditary condition in which von Willebrand factor is missing from the blood 4. Most cases of von Willebrand disease are mild and can be controlled with medications, according to MedlinePlus 4. Some cases may require regular injections of blood plasma that contains von Willebrand factor.
- The blood contains proteins called coagulation factors that allow the blood to clot to stop bleeding.
- Von Willebrand disease is a hereditary condition in which von Willebrand factor is missing from the blood 4.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com: Nosebleeds
- American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery: Nasal Fractures
- MayoClinic.com: Deviated septum
- MedlinePlus: Von Willebrand disease
- Fried MP. Deviated septum. Merck Manual. Updated March 2019.
- Ahn JC, Lee WH, We J, Rhee CS, Lee C, Kim JW. Nasal septal deviation with obstructive symptoms: Association found with asthma but not with other general health problems. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2016;30(2):e17-20
- Johansson L, Bende M. Excessive obesity is related to daily symptoms of nasal blockage: the Skövde population-based study. Rhinology. 2007 Sep;45(3):205-7.
- Andrades P, Cuevas P, Danilla S, et al. The accuracy of different methods for diagnosing septal deviation in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty: A prospective study. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2016;69(6):848-855.
- Kumar L, Belaldavar BP, Bannur H. Influence of Deviated Nasal Septum on Nasal Epithelium: An Analysis. Head Neck Pathol. 2017;11(4):501–505. doi:10.1007/s12105-017-0819-9
- Verhoeven S, Schmelzer B. Type and severity of septal deviation are not related with the degree of subjective nasal obstruction. Rhinology. 2016 Dec 1;54(4):355-60.
- Lee JJ, Hong SD, Dhong HJ, Chung SK, Kim HY. Risk factors for intraoperative saddle nose deformity in septoplasty patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Jul;276(7):1981-86. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05411-x
- American Academy of Otolaryngology. (2019). Deviated Septum.
- Kryger, MH et al. "Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine." ExpertConsult, 6th edition, 2016.
- Wang MB, Corren J. Etiologies of nasal symptoms: An overview. Feldweg, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc.
Writer Bio
Lindsay Boyers has a Bachelor of Science in nutrition from Framingham State College and a certificate in holistic nutrition from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is also a licensed aesthetician with advanced training in skincare and makeup. She plans to continue on with her education, complete a master's degree program in nutrition and, ultimately, become a registered dietitian.