Most people eventually experience a nosebleed. It is often caused by trauma or inflammation from a respiratory infection. Most nosebleeds in young adults and children begin in the nasal septum, the cartilage that separate the nasal cavity in two. Older people may have bleeding from deeper in the nasal cavity, where it is more difficult to stop. Nosebleeds are more common in children than in adults.
Causes of Nosebleed
Nosebleeds occur from trauam, such as injuries or nose picking. Nasal or sinus infections can lead to nosebleeds. A foreign body in the nose can produce nosebleeds. Some infections, such as scarlet fever, malaria and typhoid fever have nosebleeds associated with them. Severe hypertension may produce repeated nosebleeds. Dry climate, such as might occur in the desert or at high altitudes, may produce nosebleeds. Disease that affect the ability of the body to clot may produce recurrent nose bleeds. Conditions which can be implicated in this situation include aplastic anemia, leukemia, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia and liver disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Nosebleed
Nosebleeds produce varying amount of bleeding from the nasal cavity. Blood may pass into the throat. If there is severe blood loss, anemia will develop with shortness of breath, lightheadedness, rapid heart rate and pallor. If the blood is aspirated into the lungs, cough may develop. In substantial amounts of blood are swallowed, there may be vomiting of blood and black, tarry stools. Recurrent nosebleeds can sometimes be an indication of some type of problem with the coagulation system.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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