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Some people experience nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, quite often. The nose's blood vessels are easily broken, and the bleeding can be severe. While a nosebleed is usually just an annoyance, it could be a symptom of something more serious, such as vitamin K deficiency. Consult a physician if your nosebleeds are frequent and if they continue for more than 20 minutes.
Vitamin K and Coagulation
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for several proteins involved in blood clotting. Without enough vitamin K, the blood cannot clot properly, increasing the risk for uncontrolled bleeding. Other then nosebleeds, symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include easy bruising, bleeding gums, and blood in the urine and stool.
- Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for several proteins involved in blood clotting.
- Other then nosebleeds, symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include easy bruising, bleeding gums, and blood in the urine and stool.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Diseases That Cause Bloody Noses
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Vitamin K deficiencies are uncommon in healthy adults in the United States, because the vitamin it is abundant in the American diet, your body conserves vitamin K and bacteria in your intestines produce vitamin K. Individuals at risk of deficiency include:
- those with liver disease or disorders leading to fat malabsorption
- like cystic fibrosis,
- those taking anticoagulant drugs
Recommended Intake and Food Sources
The Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board has set the adequate intake for vitamin K at 120 mcg a day for healthy adult males, and between 75 and 90 mcg a day for females 1. Foods with significant vitamin K include:
- beef liver
- green leafy vegetables
- olive oil
- canola oil
- soybean oil
- green tea
A cup of cooked broccoli provides 220 mcg of vitamin K, while 1 cup of raw kale has 547 mcg.
Other Causes of Nosebleeds
Common Causes of Frequent Bloody Noses
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Check with your health care provider if you experience frequent nosebleeds. While it may be a vitamin K deficiency, there are several other causes, including dry nasal membranes, allergies, blood thinners, nasal polyps or tumors, and bleeding disorders.cause:
- While it may be a vitamin K deficiency
- there are several other causes
- including dry nasal membranes
- allergies
- blood thinners
- nasal polyps or tumors,
- bleeding disorders
A thorough examination will help determine the cause and proper treatment for your nosebleeds.
Related Articles
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin K
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin K
- Mayo Clinic: Causes of Nosebleeds
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium; Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, et al., editors. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011. 3, Overview of Vitamin D.
- Roy S, Sherman A, Monari-Sparks MJ, Schweiker O, Hunter K. Correction of low vitamin D improves fatigue: Effect of correction of low Vitamin D in fatigue study (EViDiF study). N Am J Med Sci. 2014 Aug;6(8):396-402. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.139291
- Wong SK, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S. Vitamin D and Depression: The evidence from an indirect clue to treatment strategy. Curr Drug Targets. 2018;19(8):888-97. doi: 10.2174/1389450118666170913161030
- Nair R, Maseeh A. Vitamin D: The "sunshine" vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2012;3(2):118-26. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.95506
- Meena N, Singh Chawla SP, Garg R, Batta A, Kaur S. Assessment of vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with disease activity. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2018;9(1):54-58. doi:10.4103/jnsbm.JNSBM_128_17
- Fares A. Winter cardiovascular diseases phenomenon. N Am J Med Sci. 2013;5(4):266-79. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.110430
- Porojnicu AC, Dahlback A, Moan J. Sun exposure and cancer survival in Norway: changes in the risk of death with season of diagnosis and latitude. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;624:43-54. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-77574-6_4
- Holick MF et al. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;96(7):1911-30. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-0385
- Ross AC et al. The 2011 report on dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine: what clinicians need to know. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;96(1):53-8.
- Pilz et al. Vitamin D testing and treatment: a narrative review of current evidence. Endocr Connect. 2019 Feb 1;8(2):R27-R43. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0432
- National Institutes of Health Offices of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D fact sheet. Updated August 7, 2019.
Writer Bio
Based in Chapel Hill, N.C., Debra McKenzie has been writing since 2001. Her work has appeared in journals, including "JADA" and "Obesity Research," and in the textbook "Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease." She holds a Master of Science in nutrition from University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at Meredith College.