Bloody Noses?!
Question:
How come we get bloody noses? If we don't do anything about it will we actually lose a lot of our blood? What could happen if we just let it bleed and bleed? I'm just curious about this.
Answers:
Bloody noses occur when you are picking your nose and you pick of a scab (that tiny flap of skin) and blood pours out.
Or it can be from the dry air or heat.
All you have to do is take a tissue, hold your head up, and apply pressure.
Other Answers:
the heat
Source(s):
keep ur ac level at about 60 degrees
I used to have that problem, it would bleed and bleed, sometimes for days, I had to get my nose cauterized (burnt) with a liquid cocaine type substance at the E.R.
I have had a patient almost bleed to death from a bloody nose. She actually needed a blood transfusion because she waited a few hours before going to the hospital. The blood just pooled into her stomach.
So yes nose bleeda can be serious if not treated.
There are many reasons for bloody noses.
Causes:
There are several causes for the nosebleed including trauma (such as hitting the nose), fracture (broken nose), pressure (such as may be caused by altitude), anticoagulant (anti-clotting) medication, excessively dry air, excessive nose-picking, allergic rhinitis and high blood pressure among the elderly. Some rare diseases that may cause nosebleeds are Wegener's granulomatosis and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, Rendu-Osler-Weber disease); sarcoidosis, when it involves the nose, has been reported to cause nosebleeds. von Willebrand disease may cause nosebleeds.
Both the frequency of spontaneous epistaxis and the length and severity of bleeding can be increased by anticoagulants. These may include prescription medications such as warfarin or aspirin as well as herbal supplements such as ginkgo. Cultures with a diet rich in fish sources that include high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (especially the Inuit) have also been observed to experience a higher incidence of nosebleeds. Athletes and bodybuilders who supplement their diets with fish oil also report increased frequency of nosebleeds
Treatment:
The flow of blood normally stops when the blood clots, which may be encouraged by direct pressure. Medical opinion is divided on whether the best position to apply pressure is the bridge of the nose or the fleshy part. It is also undecided as to whether it is better to tilt the head forward during this procedure (to drain the blood and prevent it from flowing down the throat and into the stomach) or backward (to minimize the volume of blood in the nose). Petroleum jelly is often used to stop the blood from seeping out.
Chronic epistaxis resulting from a dry nasal mucosa is often treated by spraying saline in the nose up to three times per day.
If pressure, ice on the bridge of the nose, application of a vasoconstrictor, or other techniques do not work, a nasal tampon is usually the next step. The nasal tampon stops the bleeding by applying pressure from inside of the nose and is usually kept in for 1-3 days.
Persistent epistaxis is an indication for urgent medical consultation. Nasal packing, cryosurgery, electrocautery or application of trichloracetic acid are options that may be used in severe epistaxis.
It is uncommon to exsanguinate (die from bleeding) through nosebleeds. However, damage to the maxillary artery can lead to rapid blood loss via the nose and present difficulty in treatment, pressure, vasoconstrictor and rhinocort occasionally proving ineffective. Ligation of the artery, risking damage to the facial nerves, may be the only solution.
Nevertheless, severe protracted nosebleeds may cause anemia due to iron deficiency.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_bleed
You can actually bleed to death if you don't the bleeding of your nose.
Many times, people have a sensitive like a nerve or little vein, in their nose that is close to the surface and starts bleeding. Many times it is allergies and that's the way the nose reacts to some.
many times bloody noses occur because the soft tissue in out noses drys up and then we sneeze or blow our nose or any number of things to irritate it. the tissue cracks and it bleeds. If you let it bleed it's like any other bloody thing. eventually your body will heal itself, that's the way it was made.
well i have this problam to all you need to do is when yo get a nose bleed go and get jello mix and eat a tea spoon of it and breath out your nose..
this will help
OK, I'm the perfect person for this answer. When I was a kid my nose would bleed almost daily, sometimes more and it would last up to an hour sometimes. There are a few things that can contribute.
Sinus- depending climate, altitude, etc
Adenoids- Can be taken out with a fairly easy surgery
or in my case, I had apparently broke my nose and we didn't know it. It healed back straight but improperly and so all the veins and such didn't match up correctly.
Epistaxis
Synonyms and related keywords: nasal hemorrhage, nosebleed, nose bleed, bloody nose
Background: Epistaxis is defined as acute hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. It is a frequent ED complaint and often causes significant anxiety in patients and clinicians. However, more than 90% of patients who present to the ED with epistaxis may be successfully treated by an emergency physician (EP).
Pathophysiology: Epistaxis is classified on the basis of the primary bleeding site as anterior or posterior. Hemorrhage is most commonly anterior, originating from the nasal septum. A common source of anterior epistaxis is the Kiesselbach plexus, an anastomotic network of vessels on the anterior portion of the nasal septum. Anterior bleeding may also originate anterior to the inferior turbinate. Posterior hemorrhage originates from branches of the sphenopalatine artery in the posterior nasal cavity or nasopharynx.
Causes:
* Most cases of epistaxis do not have an easily identifiable cause.
* Local trauma (ie, nose picking) is the most common cause, followed by facial trauma, foreign bodies, nasal or sinus infections, and prolonged inhalation of dry air. A disturbance of normal nasal airflow, as occurs in a deviated nasal septum, may also be a cause of epistaxis.
* Iatrogenic causes include nasogastric and nasotracheal intubation.
* Children usually present with epistaxis due to local irritation or recent upper respiratory infection (URI).
* Oral anticoagulants and coagulopathy due to splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, platelet disorders, or AIDS-related conditions predispose to epistaxis.
* The relationship between hypertension and epistaxis is implicated. Epistaxis is more common in hypertensive patients, and patients are more likely to be acutely hypertensive during an episode of epistaxis. Hypertension, however, is rarely a direct cause of epistaxis, and therapy should be focused on controlling hemorrhage before blood pressure reduction.
* Epistaxis is more prevalent in dry climates and during cold weather.
* Vascular abnormalities that contribute to epistaxis may include the following:
o Sclerotic vessels
o Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
o Arteriovenous malformation
o Neoplasm
o Septal perforation, deviation
o Endometriosis
TREATMENT
Emergency Department Care:
* Upon initial arrival to the ED, patients should be instructed to grasp and pinch their entire nose, maintaining continuous pressure for at least 10 minutes.
* Gowns, gloves, and protective eyewear should be worn. Adequate light is best provided by a headlamp with an adjustable narrow beam. Patients should be positioned comfortably in a seated position, holding a basin under their chin.
* As always, first address the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Severe epistaxis may require endotracheal intubation. Rapid control of massive bleeding is best secured with an epistaxis balloon or Foley catheter, as outlined below.
* Patients with significant hemorrhage should receive an IV line and crystalloid infusion, as well as continuous cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry. Patients frequently present with an elevated blood pressure; however, a significant reduction can usually be obtained with analgesia and mild sedation alone. Specific antihypertensive therapy is rarely required and should be avoided in the setting of significant hemorrhage.
* Insert pledgets soaked with an anesthetic-vasoconstrictor solution into the nasal cavity to anesthetize and shrink nasal mucosa. Soak pledgets in 4% topical cocaine solution or a solution of 4% lidocaine and topical epinephrine (1:10,000) and place them into the nasal cavity. Allow them to remain in place for 10-15 minutes.
* If a bleeding point is easily identified, gentle chemical cautery may be performed after the application of adequate topical anesthesia. The tip of a silver nitrate stick is rolled over mucosa until a grey eschar forms. To avoid septal necrosis or perforation, only one side of the septum should be cauterized at a time. To be effective, cautery should be performed after bleeding is controlled.
* If attempts to control hemorrhage with pressure or cautery fail, the nose should be packed. Options include traditional nasal packing, a prefabricated nasal sponge, or an epistaxis balloon.
o Traditional (Vaseline gauze) packing: This traditional method of anterior nasal packing has been supplanted by readily available and more easily placed tampon and balloons. It is commonly performed incorrectly, using an insufficient amount of packing placed primarily in the anterior naris. Placed in this way, the gauze serves as a plug rather than as a hemostatic pack. Physicians inexperienced in proper placement of a gauze pack should use a nasal tampon or balloon. The proper technique for placement of a gauze pack is as follows:
1. Grasp the gauze ribbon, about 6 inches from its end, with bayonet forceps. Place it in the nasal cavity as far back as possible, ensuring that the free end protrudes from the nose. On the first pass, the gauze is pressed onto the floor of nasopharynx with closed bayonets.
2. Next, grasp the ribbon about 4-5 inches from the nasal alae and reposition the nasal speculum so that the lower blade holds the ribbon against lower border of nasal alae. Bring a second strip into the nose and press downward.
3. Continue this process, layering the gauze from inferior to superior until the naris is completely packed. Both ends of ribbon must protrude from the naris and should be secured with tape. If this does not stop the bleeding, consider bilateral nasal packing.
o Compressed sponge (Merocel): Trim the sponge to fit snugly through the naris. Moisten the tip with surgical lubricant or topical antibiotic ointment. Firmly grasp the length of the sponge with bayonet forceps, spread the naris vertically with a nasal speculum, and advance the sponge along the floor of the nasal cavity. Once wet with blood or a small amount of saline, the sponge expands to fill the nasal cavity and tamponade bleeding.
o Anterior epistaxis balloons: Anterior epistaxis balloons may come in different lengths but have only one chamber. Cover the balloon with antibiotic ointment or lubricate it with water, insert it along the floor of the nasal cavity, and inflate it slowly with sterile water or air (per the manufacturer's recommendations) until the bleeding stops.
o Posterior epistaxis balloons: Posterior epistaxis balloons generally have separate anterior and posterior balloons.
+ After passing the posterior balloon through the naris and into the posterior nasal cavity, inflate it with 4-5 mL of sterile water and gently pull it forward to fit snugly in the posterior choana. After bleeding into the posterior pharynx has been controlled, fill the anterior balloon with sterile water until the bleeding completely stops.
+ Avoid overinflation because pressure necrosis or damage to the septum may result. Record the amount of fluid placed in each balloon.
+ If a Foley catheter is used, place a 12-16F catheter with a 30-cc balloon into the nose along the floor of the nasopharynx, until the tip is visible in the posterior pharynx.
+ Slowly inflate the balloon with 15 mL of sterile water, pull it anteriorly until it firmly sets against the posterior choanae, and secure it in place with an umbilical clamp. Use a buttress clamp with cotton gauze to avoid pressure necrosis on the nasal alae or columella. Finally, an anterior nasal pack should be placed.
Drug Category: Antibiotics -- Therapy must cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting. Consider giving patients a penicillin or first-generation cephalosporin.
Drug Name
Amoxicillin (Biomox, Trimox) -- Treats infections caused by susceptible organisms and used as prophylaxis in minor procedures.
Adult Dose250-500 mg PO q8h; not to exceed 3 g/d
Pediatric Dose20-50 mg/kg/d PO q8h
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity
Interactions Reduces the efficacy of oral contraceptives
PregnancyB - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsAdjust dose in renal impairment
Drug Name
Cephalexin (Keflex) -- First-generation cephalosporin, which is primarily active against skin flora. Used for skin structure coverage and as prophylaxis in minor procedures.
Adult Dose250-1000 mg PO q6h; not to exceed 4 g/d
Pediatric Dose25-50 mg/kg/d PO q6h; not to exceed 3 g/d
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity
InteractionsCoadministration with aminoglycosides increases nephrotoxic potential
PregnancyB - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsAdjust dose in renal impairment
Drug Category: Analgesics -- Pain control is essential to quality patient care. It ensures patient comfort, promotes pulmonary toilet, and enables physical therapy regimens. Most analgesics have sedating properties, which are beneficial for patients who have painful skin lesions. Avoid NSAIDs and aspirin.
Drug Name
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Aspirin Free Anacin, Feverall) -- DOC for treating pain in documented hypersensitivity to aspirin, upper GI disease, or concurrent administration of oral anticoagulants.
Adult Dose325-650 mg PO q4-6h or 1000 mg PO tid/qid; not to exceed 4 g/d
Pediatric Dose<12 years: 10-15 mg/kg/dose PO q4-6h prn; not to exceed 2.6 g/d
>12 years: 650 mg PO q4h; not to exceed 5 doses in 24 h
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity
InteractionsRifampin can reduce analgesic effects; coadministration with barbiturates, carbamazepine, hydantoins, and isoniazid may increase hepatotoxicity
PregnancyB - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsHepatotoxicity possible in chronic alcoholism following various dose levels; severe or recurrent pain or high or continued fever may indicate a serious illness; contained in many OTC products, and combined use with these products may result in cumulative doses exceeding recommended maximum dose
Drug Name
Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (Vicodin ES) -- For the relief of moderate to severe pain.
Adult Dose1-2 tab or cap PO q4-6h prn for pain
Pediatric Dose<12 years: Based on acetaminophen dose of 10-15 g/kg/dose PO q4-6h prn; not to exceed 10 mg/dose of hydrocodone bitartrate or 2.6 g/d of acetaminophen
>12 years: Based on acetaminophen dose of 750 mg PO q4h; not to exceed 5 doses q24h
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity
InteractionsPhenothiazines may decrease the analgesic effects; toxicity increases with coadministration of CNS depressants or tricyclic antidepressants
PregnancyC - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsTabs contain metabisulfite, which may cause allergic reactions
Complications:
* Sinusitis
* Septal hematoma/perforation
* External nasal deformity
* Mucosal pressure necrosis
* Vasovagal episode
* Balloon migration
* Aspiration
Prognosis:
* With proper treatment, prognosis is excellent.
Patient Education:
* For rebleeding or future nosebleeds, patients should be instructed to firmly pinch their entire nose for 10-15 minutes. Ice packs do not help.
* For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Ears, Nose, and Throat Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Nosebleeds.
why do people get nose bleeds?
Many possibilities! The actual bleeding is usually coming from a superficial blood vessel in the mucous membrane lining of the nostril, which has become injured or irritated to the point of bleeding. Perhaps it is trauma (being hit or "picking" inside the nose), or perhaps it is dryness of the mucous membranes from irritants, cold weather, or dry air, or perhaps it is inflammation from infection (viral or bacterial) or from chemical exposures (smoke, snorting drugs, prolonged use of nose sprays). Rarely, nose bleeds are coming from abnormal tissue like polyps or tumors.
unless you have A clotting-factor deficit ,the bleeding will stop,and you wont lose all your blood.
Source(s):
RN..my medical books
I have been getting blood noses since I was 5 and am now 18. I got my nose cauterized, as was recommended earlier, but have found that it didn't help. Well, to be perfectly honest, it did stop for a few months, but it was only temporary, it didn't stop it completely. I find that my nose bleeds in two cases: when it's really hot (some hot nights I would wake up and be covered in blood) and another cause is when I get really angry.
What always stops my nose from bleeding is lying back and pinching the top of my nose, right at the base, on the two nostrils, holding it firmly and waiting for a while. No fail, it always stops the bleeding. Good Luck!:)
The membranes in our nose are extremely thin, and break easily. You would only bleed out if you didn't have the ability to have blood clots. If you're a Hemophiliac, then maybe you should worry.
I'm not a doctor so I don't give medical advice. For medical questions I usually go to WebMD http://www.webMD.com they have a symptom checker on the right hand side of the main page or the Mayo Clinic help site http://www.mayoclinic.com/ they have on-line specialists to answer medical questions. Thanks :-)
Answers: