Having a nosebleed can be an alarming and somewhat scary experience, but medical experts Let's say the condition is generally not serious.
“Nosebleeds are quite common and more than half of the population will experience them at some point,” Dr. David A. Gudis, chief of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
“Most nosebleeds are not serious. medical emergenciesbut they can be alarming and sometimes quite dangerous.”
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Here's what you need to know.
What causes nosebleeds?
The coating of the Nasal Cavity (the “mucosa”) has a very robust blood supply and several causes can trigger bleeding in this area, according to Gudis.
Having a nosebleed can be alarming and somewhat scary, but medical experts say the condition is usually not serious. (iStock)
“In children, the front of the nasal cavity is susceptible to irritation from doing what everyone does: picking their nose,” he said.
In adults, this area of the nose can become dry, causing thinning of the mucosa over these blood vessels.
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Another cause, Gudis said, could be a deviated septum, which is when the wall that separates the left and right sides of the nose is off-center or crooked.
“This can cause the airflow in the nose to be more turbulent, which can further dry out the front of the nose,” the doctor explained.
“Nosebleeds are quite common and more than half of the population will experience them at some point,” one doctor said. (iStock)
Trauma or injury A blow to the nose, such as getting hit in the face with a ball or being involved in an accident of some kind, can also cause a nosebleed, he added.
Medical problems are another potential trigger.
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“This may include uncontrolled hypertension (hypertension), anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), and bleeding and clotting disorders,” Gudis told Fox News Digital.
Beyond these reasons, a person's environment may be to blame.
“In children, the front part of the nasal cavity is susceptible to irritation from doing what everyone does: picking their nose,” one doctor said. (iStock)
A common cause of nosebleeds is dry indoor airsaid Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician at One Medical in Phoenix, Arizona.
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“We tend to see this more in the winter,” he told Fox News Digital.
One way to avoid this is to use a humidifier.
“Most nosebleeds are not major medical emergencies, but they can be alarming and sometimes dangerous.”
In terms of general prevention, it's best to stay hydrated and keep your nasal passages moist, experts advise.
“Also, avoid picking your nose and of course people should avoid smoke tobacco“Bhuyan added.
How to stop nosebleeds
According to Gudis, “maintaining pressure” is a simple and highly effective solution for most nosebleeds.
“The key is to keep pressure where the nose softens, to close it,” he explained.
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In many cases, people do not know the best protocol to stop a nosebleed.
“Many people are wrongly told to pinch the 'bridge' of their nose, but pinching the hard nasal bones does not transmit pressure to the actual source of the bleeding,” Gudis said.
When to seek medical attention
If the bleeding is persistent, heavy and does not stop, or if you start having other symptoms, such as dizziness or nausea, it is best to seek medical attention. medical attention Immediately, Gudis advised.
If bleeding is persistent, heavy and doesn't stop, or if you start having other symptoms, such as dizziness or nausea, it's best to seek medical attention immediately, experts advise. (iStock)
If nosebleeds occur frequently or take a long time to stop, don't hesitate to seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist), she said.
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“In the office, we can use small nasal scopes to identify the source of the bleeding,” Gudis told Fox News Digital.
In some cases, he said, patients Requires surgery to cauterize the blood supply to certain parts of the nose.
