Nosebleed (epistaxis)

A nose bleed results from any injury to the mucosal membranes or small blood vessels within the nasal cavity. Nosebleeds can sometimes indicate a more serious illness such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, malaria, scarlet fever, sinusitis or typhoid fever. People with illnesses such as haemophilia, leukaemia, liver disease and thrombocytopenia have an increased tendency for bleeding. Posterior nosebleeds commonly occur in elderly people due to hypertension and blood that is dark red in colour will flow through to the back of the throat, despite the position that they are in. Most nosebleeds are anterior nosebleeds in which red blood flows from the front of the nose. Although frightening, very little blood is usually lost in anterior nosebleeds.

Cause: injury from a blow to the nose, intrusion of a foreign object, change in atmospheric pressure or, excessive dryness (e.g. as seen in winter) blowing the nose too hard.

Who to consult: Dietician, GP, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath.