Nosebleeds are a common condition among people. About 80% of people will experience nosebleeds at least once in their lives. Therefore, you should know the causes of sudden nosebleeds, how to prevent them, and the best methods of treatment.

What is nosebleed?

Nosebleed is a term for nosebleeds as a result of blood loss from the tissues that line the nose from the inside.

Although seeing blood coming from the nose is disturbing, most cases of epistaxis do not pose a health threat and can be treated at home. But if you suffer from frequent nosebleeds, you should consult a doctor to determine the cause.

This is because it may be an indication of an underlying health problem, especially if the bleeding occurred after an injury and did not stop after 20 minutes of direct pressure on the nose.

Types of nosebleeds

There are two types of nosebleeds (epistaxis types), namely:

Anterior nosebleed: It starts at the front of the nose at the bottom of the septum separating the two sides of the nose. This type is the most common, especially in children, and does not usually pose a health risk.

posterior nosebleed: Which occurs deep in the nose as a result of bleeding in the large blood vessels in the back of the nose. This type is more dangerous as it may result in severe bleeding that may flow down the throat. He needs to get medical attention. This type is more common in adults.

Causes of sudden nosebleeds

The following may be the causes of sudden nosebleeds:

dry air

Dry air is the most common cause of nosebleeds. Where dry air leads to dehydration of the nasal membrane, which makes it crusty or cracked, and thus more likely to bleed when blowing, plucking or scratching the nose.

Sinus sensitivity

When exposed to allergens, the immune system begins to produce antibodies, which consider allergens to be harmful, even if this is not true. This may cause sinus allergy, which varies in severity from one person to another.

Upper respiratory infection

One of the causes of sudden nosebleeds may be a cold or flu. This may be a symptom of frequent blowing of the nose or frequent sneezing, which increases the chances of nosebleeds (epistaxis).

Acute sinusitis

Acute sinusitis may lead to difficulty breathing and headache, with swelling of the area around the eyes and face. This is as a result of inflammation and swelling of the spaces inside the sinuses.

This condition usually occurs as a result of the common cold, and most cases recover within a period of time ranging from 7 to 10 days unless the infection develops.

Use of certain medications

The use of some medications may lead to nosebleeds, such as taking aspirin and anticoagulants (blood thinners). Taking antihistamines and decongestants when suffering from allergies and colds can also lead to dryness of the nasal membranes, and thus nosebleeds.

Less common causes

• pregnancy
• Nose surgery
• blood clotting disorders;
• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
• Benign nasal polyps (nasal polyps)

Can nosebleeds occur due to pressure?

Nosebleeds are generally not a symptom of high blood pressure. However, it may occur in some cases of severe high blood pressure.

Treatment of sudden nosebleeds

Epistaxis treatment varies according to the type and cause of the nosebleed.

Treatment of anterior nosebleeds

In order to treat anterior epistaxis, you must follow these steps:

• Sit quietly, keeping the head higher than the level of the heart
• Press on the soft part of the nose
• Make sure to close your nostrils completely for about 5 to 10 minutes
• Bend forward slightly and breathe in through the nose

Warning: Do not lie down when trying to stop a nosebleed, as this may result in swallowing of blood. Which may lead to stomach irritation.

Treating posterior nosebleeds

In the event of a posterior nosebleed, see a doctor immediately and avoid home treatment. Although it is less common than an anterior nosebleed, it is often more dangerous.

How to prevent nosebleeds

You can reduce your risk of nosebleeds (epistaxis) by following some simple steps, including:

• Maintain the humidity of the air in the house
• Avoid picking or rubbing the nose vigorously
• Reducing the intake of aspirin tablets, which may contribute to epistaxis, but consult a doctor first because its benefits may be more risky in some cases.
• Moderate use of antihistamines and decongestants
• Keep the sinuses moist by using a saline spray or gel to avoid nasal dryness.