by Connie Whiting

Created on: March 08, 2009

Nosebleeds are relatively common. Almost everyone has had a few nosebleeds in their lifetime. In most cases they end almost as fast as they start and usually last no more than a few minutes. Therefore they h just seem to be an occasional nuisance to endure once in a while. Sometimes though, a nosebleed can be a very serious indication of something more going on within the body. Knowing what type of nosebleed is occurring is very important. In some rare instances to ignore certain kinds of nosebleeds could cause serious medical complications or even death.

Nosebleeds come in two main types. The nose is divided by an inner septum with a nostril on each side of the septum. The septum is a flexible divider of tissue between the two sides. Lower septum bleeds are where most nosebleeds usually happen. These can occur because the blood vessels are close to the surface of the inner tissue. Causes include the tissue in the nostrils being too dry, medicine reactions, sneezing or a slight bump to the nose. The blood flows out of the nose unless the head is tipped back. They are not serious unless the bleeding cannot be stopped. These lower area nosebleeds are most common in younger adults and children. Small children in particular can cause nosebleeds from picking at their nose.

However the upper septum type of nose bleed is serious. They are rare but when they occur medical attention is needed. With these nosebleeds the blood flows down the back of the throat and mouth even when sitting up as well as from the nose. This kind of nose bleed can indicate medical conditions. A few of these conditions include high blood pressure, Leukemia, tumors inside the nose and a rare occurrence of a birth mark in the nose that has ruptured. Other causes are sudden and severe trauma to the nose, for example a car accident injury or a sports injury to the nose and face.

Since nosebleeds are usually viewed as a normal occurrence people tend to try to treat them at home by applying gauze or clean towels to stop the bleeding. If after applying these, the nose is still bleeding ten minutes later it is best to see a doctor in case it is an upper septum bleed. Serious nosebleeds need to be treated by a doctor as the bleeding vessels may have to be cauterized or repaired by surgery as in the case of traumatic injury. If lower nosebleeds are happening repeatedly, see a doctor to be sure it is not serious as well. In most cases repeating lower nosebleeds are caused by sinus problems and are treatable by a prescription medication.

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