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Nose Bleeding in Adults

Nosebleeds can be embarrassing and inconvenient, especially if you are an adult. The bleeding can start at a completely inappropriate time, like during a business meeting, and it seems as though it will never stop. Usually they are harmless, but sometimes medical intervention is necessary to stop the blood flow and prevent more nosebleeds from occurring.

  1. Causes of Typical Nosebleeds

    • Nose bleeds are rarely a serious problem and are most often caused by nose-picking or injury to the nose. This is why nosebleeds seem to occur more often in children. Kids are more likely to have the bad habit of picking their nose or might get into fights on the playground that result in a bloodied nose. There are many small blood vessels on the front part of the nose, which is where these minor nose bleeds most often occur.

    Causes of Posterior Nosebleeds

    • Many adults get nosebleeds, sometimes chronically. A posterior nosebleed is when the bleeding occurs further back in the nose. This can occur because of narrowing of arteries that occurs with aging, which is called arteriosclerosis. Not all nosebleeds that occur in adults are posterior, but adults are more prone to them than children are.

    At-Home Treatment

    • Minor nosebleeds can usually be treated at home. Many people have theories about how you are supposed to get a nosebleed to stop bleeding. The recommended way to do this is to simply pinch the nostrils together for 10 minutes. Other treatments, like applying ice, putting the head in different positions and inserting wadded up tissue up your nose don't work.

    Medical Examination

    • Sometimes the bleeding doesn't stop after the 10 minutes of pinching. It is recommended to make an appointment to see your doctor at this point. Most of the time, the doctor will examine the nose to see where the bleeding is coming from. Many times, it is not necessary to do anything besides wait for the bleeding to stop.

    Medical Procedures

    • If the bleeding is more severe, there are several ways that your doctor can stop it. He may decide to pack the nose with gauze. The gauze will absorb any blood and also put pressure on the blood vessels to stop them from bleeding. The same thing can be done with a type of sponge. They are usually removed after several days. Another option is to cauterize the vein. This is when a chemical or laser is used to seal the vein that is causing the bleeding.

    Posterior Bleeding Treatments

    • A posterior nosebleed may require a little more medical attention. A lot of times, the nosebleed cannot be stopped by the pinching technique and blood will begin to run down the throat. A doctor may choose to pack the person's nose with gauze or a balloon-shaped device that expands and puts pressure on the blood vessels. Often, this technique is painful and may require hospitalization to help prevent infection and ensure that enough oxygen available to the person. To avoid the pain and inconvenience, many doctors choose to cauterize the bleeding blood vessel.

    Prevention

    • If you are prone to nosebleeds, there are several techniques that can help you prevent them. Dry winter air can cause the nasal passages to become dry and crack more easily, causing bleeding. Use a humidifier to keep the air moist. Some people have success with applying a lubricant to the interior of their nose, like Vaseline.

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