Nosebleed or epistaxis is manifested by the outflow of blood from the tissue that lines the nasal cavity. It is a fairly common phenomenon that in the majority of cases is not caused by serious causes. Cases of nosebleeds occur both in the adult population and during childhood. However, if this phenomenon occurs often enough, the control and treatment of nosebleed by a specialist otorhinolaryngologist is important.

Nosebleed: Types

Nosebleed is divided into two types depending on the point of occurrence. It can appear either in the anterior or posterior part of the nasal cavity. Anterior nosebleed is the most common and easily managed form, located in the anterior part of the nasal septum. This area has fragile blood vessels, which often bleed. Posterior nosebleed occurs deep in the nasal cavity, in case of rupture of the larger blood vessels located behind the nose. They cause significant blood loss, which is why it is important to be treated immediately by an otolaryngologist.

Nosebleed: Causes

Nosebleed is caused due to several different reasons. The most common causes of the condition include the inflammation or injury to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, the existence of allergic or other type of rhinitis, the development of injuries, polyps or tumors in the nose and paranasal cavities. Other causes of nosebleed are the scoliosis of the nasal septum, the administration of anticoagulant drugs or the existence of blood coagulation disorders, while the occurrence of frequent colds, intense nose blowing and the regular use of nasal sprays are key factors in the appearance of the condition. Repeated episodes of nosebleeds may indicate high blood pressure or another bleeding disorder.

Nosebleed management

Nosebleeds are important to be treated with patience by the sufferer. Elevation of the head is not an appropriate treatment and should be avoided, and the patient should remain upright or sit with the head in a slight forward tilt, applying pressure to the soft part of the nose for about 10 minutes. In this way, the nosebleed is limited and stopped, however if it recurs, it is important to have the nosebleed checked and treated by a qualified otolaryngologist. In case of extensive bleeding, it is important for the patient to go to a hospital and receive medical help.

Nosebleed treatment: What it includes

The control and treatment of nosebleed by ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou involves obtaining a detailed history of the patient and then examining the nose area with rhinoscopy and endoscopy, in order to determine the cause of the bleeding and the exact spot where it is located. If the nosebleed is due to an infection inside the nose, the appropriate antibiotic ointment is administered.

Nosebleed treatment with the use of modern endoscopes

In the majority of nosebleed cases, with the use of modern endoscopes, the focus that causes the bleeding inside the nose is immediately determined and treated. This is followed by cauterization of the bleeding site with silver nitrate, which is a caustic substance of chemical origin. Another treatment is the application of a low-intensity electric current to the source of bleeding through a diathermy tool. Both of these methods are performed painlessly with the administration of local anesthesia, effectively treating nosebleed.

Treatment of nosebleed with surgery

Plugging the nasal cavity with specialized hemostatic materials helps significantly to control bleeding. If the control and treatment of the nosebleed are not carried out effectively by the methods mentioned, then a surgical intervention is indicated, during which the doctor ligates the vessels responsible for the bleeding. If the nosebleed has been caused by an injury such as a fracture, careful retraction of the nose is important. If nosebleed occurred due to taking anticoagulant drugs or aspirin, it is recommended to reduce the amount taken.