Nose bleeding or Epistaxis is a common symptom seen especially in children and elderly.

What is the commonest cause for Nose bleeding?

The lining of the nose has many blood vessels especially in the front of the nose. Repeated nose picking, frequent colds, or an acute bend in the septal bone can cause bleeding to occur.

The other causes for nose bleeding are,

• Hypertension.
• Tumour of the nose and Para nasal sinuses.
• People having bleeding disorders or on blood thinning medications.
• Chemical irritants, blowing the nose hard, climatic conditions.
• Injury to the nose and post facial and nasal surgery.
• Pregnancy.

How to stop the nose bleeding?

• Trauma: injuries from contact sports, fighting, or car accidents
• Developmental: Due to birth moulding or unequal growth of skull base and palate
• Mass in opposite nasal cavity
• Hereditary

What to do when there is persistent or recurrent nose bleeding?

Consult an ENT surgeon who will evaluate by a physical examination, nasal endoscopy, blood investigations and imaging. A Physician’s opinion to reduce the blood pressure will be advised.

The ENT surgeon would place a pack in the nose if there is active bleeding. The cause of the bleeding will be diagnosed and treated sometimes, the bleeding might be controlled with diathermy ( cautery ) or ligation of the blood vessel in the nose by endoscopic approach under anaesthesia.

A Sharp septal spur if found will be corrected by an operation called septoplasty.

A hematologist opinion will be advised if there is any bleeding disorders.