Causes of nasal bleeding in adults and first aid

The causes of nasal bleeding in adults can be different. To identify them for sure, it is recommended to see a doctor and undergo a medical examination. If in the near future you can not get to the hospital, then you will be able to find out the main causes of nasal bleeding in adults from the article presented.

general information

Nasal bleeding (causes in adults will be described a little lower) and bleeding from the nose are concepts that are close, but not equal in meaning. To find out what is the difference between these pathological processes, let's define each of them:

1. Nose bleed. This phenomenon is observed when blood comes from the vessels of the nasal cavity, as well as its paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx. As a rule, this process occurs due to violation of their integrity.
2. Bleeding from the nose. Most often, such a pathological condition occurs when the upper walls of the nasal cavity are damaged. In other words, the integrity of the vessels, which are located in the skull, is violated.

Sources of bleeding

Nasal bleeding in adults and children can have different sources. So, often blood comes from the respiratory tract, esophagus and even stomach. In such cases, it flows into the nasal cavity through so-called khoans, that is, internal holes that connect the nasal cavity and pharynx.

All about nasal bleeding in adults and children is not known even to the most experienced doctors, because the mucous membrane of this organ is very actively blood supply, as it has a huge blood network woven from small vessels and capillaries.

According to statistics, most often regularly occurring nasal bleeding indicates the development of a serious disease. Although this pathology can also occur in quite healthy people of different ages.

Blood from the Nose: Causes

The causes of epistaxis in adults and children are divided into local and general. To understand how they differ in people of different ages, we will consider them in more detail.

Children

The mucous membrane of the baby's nose is rather tender, that's why it is easily traumatized. Her blood supply is provided by branches of the carotid artery. In 90% of cases, children bleed precisely the small capillaries, which are located in the antero-lower part of the septum of the new cavity, where, in fact, the most bleeding zone, unofficially known as the Kisselbach zone.

In childhood, in addition to the common and local causes of epistaxis, the external bleeding is also isolated. These include damage to the vessels of the mucosa:

• A foreign body (a button with a pea, a pencil, details of toys, etc.);
• While picking your finger in the nose.

Local causes

To the causes of local bleeding from the nose of young children include:

• Rhinitis atrophic;
• Trauma to the nose, as well as bruises or fractures;
• Tumors in the nasal passages (hemangiomas, angiofibromas or polyps);
• Drying of the nasal cavity shell, which leads to the fragility of the capillaries (for a long time in an unventilated and very hot room).

Common causes

To the general causes of nasal bleeding of young children should be attributed:

• Increase in the body temperature of the child;
• Infectious diseases (for example, ARVI, scarlet fever, flu, etc.);
• Disease of the blood with a violation of its coagulation;
• Increased intracranial or blood pressure;
• Liver disease;
• Hereditary diseases (eg, hemophilia);
• Excessive physical exertion (during sports, games, etc.);
• Hormonal reorganization;
• Lack of certain trace elements and vitamins in the body;
• Overheating in the sun, as well as sudden pressure drops (atmospheric).

Teens

Bleeding from the nose is a dangerous sign if this deviation occurs very often and is accompanied by headaches or other pains.

It should be noted that the common and local causes of nasal bleeding in adolescents are the same as in young children. But most often this deviation is associated with the hormonal rearrangement of the child's body (during puberty).

Among other things, blood from the nose of a teenager can regularly flow due to increased arterial or intracranial pressure due to excessive psychoemotional or physical exertion. In other words, fatigue is the most likely cause of bleeding in children 12-16 years of age.

Adults

What causes nasal bleeding in adults? They are also divided into local and general. By the way, with the age this phenomenon arises more and more often. Let's consider in more detail, with what it can be connected.

Reasons local

Local causes of nasal bleeding in adults can be as follows:

• Acute or chronic (so-called atrophic) rhinitis ;
• Medical manipulations or surgical intervention (for example, nasogastric probing, puncture of the paranasal sinuses, endoscopy, etc.);
• Foreign bodies in the nasal passages (for example, piercing), tattoo on the face, etc .;
• Bruises, trauma or fractures of the nose;
• Curvature of the septum of the nasal cavity;
• Benign formations (eg, hemangiomas, polyps, and angiofibromas);
• Burns (chemical, thermal or radiation);
• Malignant tumors;
• Bad habit, which consists in picking in the nose.

Reasons Common

What else can cause nasal bleeding? Causes in adults (general) are often as follows:

• Disorders in the blood clotting system, as well as its disease (eg, leukemia) and hemorrhagic diathesis;
• Lack of vitamins K and C in the body, lack of calcium;
• Congenital pathology (for example, Rundu-Osler's disease, hemophilia);
• Pathology of the vascular system (eg, hypertension, heart disease, atherosclerosis and vascular abnormality);
• Pathological conditions due to sudden changes in pressure (most often found in pilots, divers, astronauts, climbers, etc.);
• Increased temperature (eg, kidney and liver diseases, infectious diseases);
• When the body overheats;
• Hormonal imbalances (for example, during pregnancy or menopause);
• Taking medications that interfere with blood clotting.

It should also be noted that bleeding from the nose in healthy people can occur due to stressful situations or significant physical exertion. The reason for this deviation is often the inhalation of dry or frosty air (hot summer or cold winter).

Often, blood from the nose in healthy adults can flow after a long stay in the sun (or as a result of the so-called "sunstroke"). In this case, a person has noise in the ears, weakness, severe headaches, and sometimes loss of consciousness.

If bleeding in healthy people occurs infrequently and is in no way associated with serious internal diseases, then, as a rule, this phenomenon quickly stops and does not differ particularly abundantly.

Aged people

In the elderly, blood from the nose can flow for the same reasons as in healthy adults, but with some nuances. The main feature of this age is that in the old man the capillaries of the posterior parts of the nose lose their elasticity with time, resulting in heavy bleeding.

It should also be noted that a rather frequent reason for this deviation in the elderly is hypertensive disease.

Why can blood come from the nose?

Now you know why some or all people periodically or constantly have bleeding from the nose. 4 main reasons:

• Mechanical damage to vessels located in the nasal cavity;
• Hormonal imbalance;
• Internal diseases;
• Arterial or intracranial pressure.

Bleeding from the nose: causes, treatment and first aid

Above we have told in detail about why such a deviation can occur in a person at one or another age. Now I want to tell you about how to provide first aid for such a deviation.

If a person has severe nosebleeds, it is recommended:

1. Sit on a chair and tilt your head slightly. It is highly discouraged to tip it, as the blood can easily swallow, cause vomiting, or even get into the airways.
2. If the bleeding was caused by overheating in the sun, then the person should immediately be taken to a shadow or ventilated room (preferably cool).
3. During bleeding it is recommended to unfasten the collar, and then open the window for greater access to fresh cool air.
4. On the nose should attach a tissue pouch filled with ice, or a bandage (handkerchief), soaked in cold water.
5. If the blood from the nose goes for a long time, then the wing of the respiratory organ should be pressed with a finger to the septum of the nose and hold for about 10 minutes.
6. To quickly stop bleeding, moisten the tampon (gauze or cotton wool) in a 3% solution of peroxide and gently insert it into the nose.