Bloody nose and dizziness

What You Should Know About Bloody Noses & Dizziness – Nampons

Most nosebleeds are harmless and result from nose-picking or nose-blowing. When you're bleeding from your face for no apparent reason, it can be hard to process that information, but it's true.

If you search the web for information about nosebleeds, you've probably heard that before. You may have also seen a warning along the following lines:

"If you're taking blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or suffer from symptoms such as dizziness, consult a medical professional".

Blood thinners and bleeding disorders are self-explanatory. They limit your body's ability to create blood clots and can lead to heavier and more problematic bleeding.

But what about dizziness?

What Causes Dizziness and Nosebleeds?

There are a few reasons why you may experience dizziness in combination with regular nosebleeds. The cause isn't always serious, but you should still contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Some of the most common causes of dizziness and nosebleeds include:

Anemia

Although rare, frequent nosebleeds can lead to anemia, especially if there are other triggers present.

Anemia is caused by a lack of red blood cells and can lead to a host of symptoms and health issues. You may experience fatigue and dizziness, for instance, and this can occur during and after a nosebleed.

Medications

What do nausea, stomach pain, urinary problems, joint pain, cold-like symptoms, and insomnia all have in common? They are all side effects associated with atorvastatin, one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.

If you experienced several of these symptoms at the same time, there's a good chance you'd be worried. If you let your imagination run wild, you might even convince yourself that you had a serious medical issue. But those symptoms would likely cease as soon as you stopped or adjusted your meds.

This is just one drug and one list of side effects. Others can cause headaches, sickness, vertigo, fatigue, and a seemingly endless list of ailments. If you can suffer from it, a medication can give you it.

There's a chance, therefore, that your dizziness and nosebleeds are caused by your medication. If you suspect this, consult your healthcare provider.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can increase the risk of nosebleeds, though it's not one of the main causes. It can also make you dizzy and weak and give you headaches.

It's important to check your blood pressure on a regular basis, as prolonged and untreated high blood pressure will greatly increase your risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Trauma

If you have recently suffered from a blow to the face, you may have a head injury. Dizziness, vision disturbances, and vomiting could indicate a concussion while nosebleeds may be a result of direct trauma.

Panic

If you typically don't suffer from nosebleeds, and you're anxious by nature, there's a good chance you will panic when your nose starts to bleed.

If the blood flow is heavy and runs down your nose/throat, leading to spluttering and nausea, that panic may increase.

When panic takes hold, your breathing changes. You take short, sharp breaths, and this reduces the carbon dioxide in your blood and makes you dizzy.

Sit down, lean forward, pinch the soft part of your nose, and hold it for 10 minutes while taking slow and deep breaths through your mouth. If your dizziness is caused by panic, it should subside (along with your nosebleed) once those 10 minutes have passed.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Excessive use of intranasal recreational drugs (including cocaine and amphetamines) can cause both of these symptoms. Dizziness is a common symptom in all stimulants and most recreational drugs, and if those substances are consumed by "snorting" powders or crushed tablets, they may irritate the nasal lining, rupturing the delicate nasal blood vessels.

These symptoms might pass, but they could also worsen and indicate something more serious. Seek medical help if you experience extreme dizziness, chest pain, vision disturbances, or if your nosebleeds/dizzy spells are frequent.

Unrelated

Just because you feel dizzy and have the occasional nosebleed doesn't mean the two are related. It could be that your dizzy spells are related to low blood sugar and over-exertion, while your nosebleed is the result of nose-picking or blowing.

This is just one example, but if you're experiencing multiple symptoms like this, it's worth making a note of when they occur and with what frequency. It helps you to clarify whether they are related, and this information will be very useful to your doctor when making a diagnosis.

Other Health Conditions That Cause Dizziness and Nosebleeds

In addition to the above list, there are several other health conditions and illnesses that can cause both dizziness and nosebleeds.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may conduct a series of tests, including blood pressure, blood tests, and a nasal inspection. They can then provide advice, diagnosis, or treatment as needed.

When Should You Worry About A Nosebleed?

In addition to dizziness, there are a few other symptoms that warrant closer inspection.

Difficulty breathing is one of them. It could indicate an underlying health condition, including serious lung and heart problems. It could also suggest that the blood is flowing down the throat and impairing breathing.

Most nosebleeds happen in the front of the nose and occur when the delicate blood vessels in the nose are damaged. The bleeding is not usually very heavy and will often stop within 10 minutes. But some nosebleeds occur in the back of the nose.

Known as posterior epistaxis, these bleeds are heavier and can involve both nostrils. With such bleeds, it's normal for large amounts of blood to run down the nose and throat, causing nausea and difficulty breathing.

Whether your breathing difficulties are caused by underlying health conditions or a heavy bleed, it's worth paying a visit to the emergency room if the bleeding doesn't stop and the symptoms don't subside.

Chest pain, severe headaches, trouble breathing, and vomiting could also indicate a more serious problem.

Headache and Nosebleed: Causes, Photos, and Treatments

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Overview

Headaches and cases of epistaxis, or nosebleeds, are common. Nosebleeds occur due to burst or broken blood vessels in the nose. Having a headache and a nosebleed can be a sign of a minor issue, such as hay fever, or something more severe, such as anemia, or a low red blood cell count.

Environmental and lifestyle factors can contribute to headaches and nosebleeds. It’s easy to rupture the small blood vessels in your nose, especially when it’s dry out. A deviated septum, or a shifted wall in your nose, is a common cause of both symptoms. Along with headaches and nosebleeds, a deviated septum can cause blockage in one or both nostrils, facial pain, and noisy breathing during sleep.

Other mild conditions that can cause headaches and nosebleeds are:

allergic rhinitis, or hay fever
common cold
sinus infection
excessive use of decongestants or nasal sprays
dry mucus in the nose

Some serious but less common conditions that can cause headaches and nosebleeds are:

congenital heart disease
leukemia
brain tumor
essential thrombocythemia, or increased platelets in the blood

Visit your doctor if other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or dizziness, accompany your headaches and nosebleeds.

What causes headaches and nosebleeds in adults?

One study found that adults with migraines had significantly more nosebleeds. The findings also suggest that nosebleeds may be precursors to migraines, but more research in this area is necessary. Your body may be sending an early warning sign if your nosebleeds are frequent and accompany a severe headache.

A number of things can trigger both a headache and a nosebleed, including:

overly dry environment
carbon monoxide poisoning
high blood pressure
anemia
nose infection
overuse of cocaine
accidental inhalation of chemicals, such as ammonia
side effects of drugs, such as warfarin
head injury

You should always see a doctor after a head injury, especially if it gets progressively worse.

One study found that people with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) reported nosebleeds at the same time as migraines. HHT is a rare genetic disorder that causes multiple abnormal developments in blood vessels.

Headaches and nosebleeds are common during pregnancy, according to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. You or someone you know may find it harder to breathe during pregnancy. This is because the lining of your nose and nasal passage gets more blood. The increased amount of blood to the small vessels in your nose can cause nosebleeds.

You may experience hormonal changes, especially during the first trimester. This can also cause headaches. Call your doctor if your headaches are severe and don’t go way. This may be a sign of preeclampsia, or high blood pressure and organ damage.

Always see your doctor if the nosebleeds are excessive and your headaches don’t go away after 20 minutes.

Many children have nosebleeds from:

picking the nose
having poor posture
skipping meals
not getting enough sleep

Research also shows that children with migraines are more likely to have nosebleeds. Excessive bleeding can sometimes cause headaches. When these symptoms happen frequently and closely together, it might indicate a more serious condition, such as high blood pressure, leukemia, or anemia.

Make an appointment with their doctor if your child also shows these symptoms:

tiredness
weakness
chills, or feeling cold
dizziness, or feeling lightheaded
easy bruising or bleeding

Your doctor will check your child’s blood pressure and may recommend getting a complete blood count to determine the cause. This study suggests getting a brain image if your child doesn’t have a primary headache or if they have an abnormal neurological exam.

Call 911 or local emergency services, or go to the emergency room (ER) if you have a headache along with:

confusion
fainting
fever
paralysis on one side of your body
trouble with movements, such as speaking or walking
nausea or vomiting that aren’t flu-related

Seek medical attention immediately if your nose is:

bleeding excessively
bleeding for more than 20 minutes
bleeding that’s interfering with your breathing
broken

If your child has a nosebleed and is younger than 2 years old, you should take them to the ER.

Schedule a visit with your doctor if your nosebleed and headaches are:

ongoing or recurring
keeping you from participating in normal activities
getting worse
not improving with the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine

Most nosebleeds and headaches will go away on their own or with self-care.

This information is a summary of emergency situations. Contact your doctor if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency.

You may find it helpful to keep track of your symptoms before your doctor’s appointment. Your doctor may ask you these questions:

Are you taking any new medications?
Are you using any decongestant sprays?
How long have you had these headaches and nosebleeds?
What other symptoms or discomforts are you experiencing?

They may also ask about your family history to see if you have any genetic risk factors for certain conditions.

Answering these questions will also help your doctor decide which tests you may need. Some tests your doctor may order are:

blood tests to check for blood cell count or other blood diseases
head or chest X-rays
ultrasound of your kidney to check for signs of chronic kidney disease
blood pressure test

If the nosebleed doesn’t stop, your doctor will use a cauterizing or heating tool to seal off a blood vessel. This will stop your nose from bleeding and help reduce the risk of future bleeding. Other treatment for nosebleeds may include surgery to remove a foreign object or correct a deviated septum or fracture.

While OTC pain medication can reduce your headache, aspirin may contribute to further nose bleeding. Aspirin is a blood thinner. Your doctor will prescribe special medication if you experience frequent migraines.

Your doctor will also focus on treating the underlying condition first if it’s the cause of your headaches.

Treatment for headaches in children

A study of children and headaches recommends nonpharmacological approaches first, even for chronic daily headaches. These methods include:

keeping a headache diary to identify patterns and triggers
making sure your child eats all of their meals
changing environmental factors, such as bright lights
adopting healthy lifestyle factors, such as exercise and good sleeping habits
practicing relaxation techniques

A cool room temperature can help minimize nosebleed risk. You can do the following to immediately treat your nosebleed:

Sit up to reduce your nasal blood pressure and minimize bleeding.
Lean forward to help prevent blood from entering your mouth.
Pinch both nostrils shut to put pressure on your nose.
Place cotton pads in your nose while you hold it to prevent blood from escaping.

You should hold your nostrils closed for 10 to 15 minutes when putting pressure on your nose.

Once you’ve stopped the bleeding, you can place a warm or cool compress on your head or neck to reduce the pain. Resting in a quiet, cool, and dark room can also help reduce your pain.

During dry seasons, you can use vaporizers in your home to keep the air moist. This will keep the inside of your nose from drying out, reducing your risk for nosebleeds. You may also wish to take an OTC allergy drug to prevent headache and nasal symptoms if you experience seasonal allergies.

Depending on the cause of nosebleeds, you may need to teach your child not to pick their nose. Keeping a safe space for toys and playing can help reduce their risk of sticking foreign objects in their nose.

You may be able to prevent or lessen tension and migraine headaches by taking steps to reduce stress in your life. This could mean changing your sitting posture, making time for relaxation, and identifying triggers so you can avoid them.

Epistaxis - what can cause this symptom - treatment at CELT

Nosebleeds (epistaxis) - outflow of blood from the nose to the outside or into the throat as a result of vascular damage caused by injury or disease. Slight bleeding in violation of the integrity of the capillaries of the anterior part of the nose is not dangerous and usually goes away on its own. If larger vessels are affected, then large blood loss can threaten health and even life and require immediate medical attention. Regardless of the frequency and volume of bleeding, it is important to establish their cause and choose the optimal set of therapeutic and preventive measures. A timely visit to an ENT doctor is a guarantee of health and prevention of complications.

Causes of nosebleeds

The nasal cavity is supplied with blood from the system of external and internal carotid arteries. The vessels of both arteries are connected in the region of the nasal septum. The areas of anastomoses are characterized by a thinner vascular wall and are covered with a membrane that is almost devoid of submucosa, so the vessels in these areas are subject to destruction of various etiologies. Nosebleeds are a symptom of many diseases. It is possible to identify local and general causes of the symptom in question.

Local factors

Injuries to the nose * is the most common cause of epistaxis. In addition to injuries from impact, compression and other types of mechanical damage, violation of the integrity of tissues is possible due to the ingress of a foreign body into the nose.
Iatrogenic factors, or injuries caused by medical intervention: postoperative complications, damage as a result of medical and diagnostic procedures - endoscopy, catheterization, puncture of the paranasal chambers, insertion of probes, nasotracheal intubation.
Inflammatory diseases accompanied by hyperemia and irritation of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis, sinusitis, adenoiditis). Inflammation affects the coagulation properties of the blood, and sneezing and increased blowing of the nose are an additional physical factor that contributes to damage to the vascular wall.
Tumors of the nose. Angioma, polyp, specific granuloma, malignant tumors (sarcoma, mucosal cancer) can lead to disruption of mucosal trophism and damage to blood vessels.
Deviated septum. According to medical observations, a direct septum is fixed in no more than 20% of patients. Pathology can be assumed, given the visible curvature of the back of the nose, long-term congestion, sniffling, night snoring. Significant deformations of the septum can cause regular headaches, otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchial asthma and other pathological conditions. Bleeding is caused by constant irritation of the mucosa on the side of the bulge: it becomes thinner and easily injured. The formation on the vomer (back of the nasal cavity) of a spike or ridge with sharp edges is especially dangerous, since these formations can injure rather large vessels.
Aneurysm of adductor vessels of the nose is dangerous due to spontaneous massive blood loss. The deformation occurs due to the high pressure in the vessel and the weakness of its wall.
Long-term topical use of vasoconstrictors, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Such drops and sprays cause atrophic processes in the mucosa, and sometimes in deeper tissues, causing increased bleeding.
Dryness, thinning of the mucous membrane and increased fragility of blood vessels as a result of inhalation of excessively dry and / or cold air, chemical irritants entering the nasal cavity (at work or when inhaling drugs).

Systemic factors

Diseases of the hematopoietic system (hemophilia, blood cancer, and others) are accompanied by a violation of the volume, structure and function of platelets, a decrease in the concentration of prothrombin and other blood coagulation factors, which provokes regular nosebleeds. At the same time, hematomas of various localization and heavy bleeding are observed with minor injuries.
Cardiovascular pathologies (hypertension, atherosclerosis, vasculitis). According to various sources, nosebleeds occur in 40-60% of hypertensive patients in case of weather changes, stress or physical overwork. However, there is no direct relationship between blood pressure and bleeding. Atherosclerosis (deposition of cholesterol plaques) in the arteries of the head contributes to hypoxia and tissue degeneration, in particular the nasal mucosa, causing bleeding.
Sun/heat stroke causes hyperthermia of the body, vasodilation of the head, disruption of blood clotting mechanisms, which can lead to nosebleeds, especially in children, the elderly, hypertensive patients.
Lack of vitamin C in the body increases the permeability of the vascular walls. Vitamin K deficiency hinders the process of blood clotting, calcium - inhibits the production of prothrombin.
Taking anticoagulants and antiaggregants - drugs that reduce blood clotting (warfarin, dicoumarin, fraxiparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, etc.).
Fluctuations in hormone levels in pregnant women, adolescents.

Types of bleeding

In 70-90% of cases, bleeding from the nose is caused by damage to the vessels of its anterior part. Anterior nosebleeds thrombose rather quickly due to platelet adhesion and aggregation. In the middle section, the diameter of the vessels increases, and, therefore, the blood pressure in them. Posterior bleeding is provoked by a rupture of sufficiently large vascular trunks in the depths of the nasal cavity, which threatens with abundant blood loss and requires comprehensive medical care.

Blood loss can be approximately estimated on the following scale:

Insignificant - up to 50 ml.
Moderate - up to 200 ml.
Moderate - up to 1300 ml.
Heavy - over 1300 ml.

The first two stages do not cause significant changes in the body of an adult. With the loss of more than 200 ml of blood, pallor of the skin, tachycardia are possible, the person feels dizzy, and unpleasant sensations appear in the ears. With the loss of 1 liter of blood, acrocyanosis is noted with increasing pallor, dizziness, hypotension, and the pulse rate increases. In the case of severe blood loss, symptoms of hemorrhagic shock occur: confusion, lethargy, thready pulse, blood pressure is reduced to critical values.

First aid for nosebleeds

Before proceeding, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the bleeding. Blood from the vessels of the nose is of a normal color, comes out in drops or a trickle. Leakage of scarlet foamy blood from the nose is possible with damage to the lung or bronchi. If blood from the stomach enters the nasal cavity, it is dark in color and may contain clots. Bloody vomiting may indicate severe back bleeding or damage to another organ, in which case you need to call an ambulance.

In case of nosebleeds, the person should be seated, the head should not be tilted back. A swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide or a vasoconstrictor is placed in the nasal passage. The wing of the nose is pressed with a finger for 10-15 minutes. Cold can be placed on the bridge of the nose. If bleeding continues and in case of repeated bleeding, it is necessary to seek qualified help. The doctor will anemize the mucosa and perform an anterior tamponade. The procedure consists in deep placement of gauze turunda with a hemostatic agent into the nasal cavity. The indication for posterior tamponade is massive, life-threatening bleeding. In this case, a tampon with the help of a catheter is inserted into the nasopharynx, behind the soft palate.

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Zhararova Galina Gennadievna

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Tsarapkin Grigory Yurievich

Otorhinolaryngologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor

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Gogolev Vasily Gennadievich

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Diagnostics

In the conditions of the clinic, the clinical picture allows to evaluate the approximate volume of bloodlessness. The ENT doctor determines the source of bleeding using anterior and posterior rhinoscopy. In some cases, x-rays and CT scans may be required. With the help of a laboratory blood test, the degree of posthemorrhagic anemia and the state of hemostasis are assessed.

If the pathology of the nose is ruled out, the patient is referred to other specialists for examination to clarify the diagnosis - a general practitioner, surgeon, pulmonologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist.

Examination of the patient and treatment

In the case of recurrent nasal bleeding, the cause must be identified and eliminated.

At the initial stage, the following types of diagnostics are used:

ENT examination, rhinoscopy;
medical consultation, blood pressure measurement;
complete blood count, determination of the content of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets;
blood coagulation studies: coagulogram.

To stop the flow of blood from the nose, apply:

electrocoagulation;
cauterization of the bleeding area of the mucosa with silver preparations;
radio wave coagulation of a mucosal area with bleeding.

Submucosal resection of the nasal septum, vessel ligation, selective embolization, and a variety of other techniques are available depending on the cause of the bleeding and the location of the source.

The general treatment of epistaxis is aimed at restoring the volume of circulating blood, increasing the clotting function, and stabilizing the patient's condition.

Experienced doctors work in the CELT multidisciplinary clinic, modern diagnostic equipment is installed. We carry out consultations and examinations of medical specialists, almost all modern diagnostic studies are carried out. This allows you to successfully diagnose both local and systemic diseases that cause nosebleeds. After establishing the cause of nosebleeds, the doctor selects the most effective treatment methods for the patient.

CELT multidisciplinary clinic is a modern high-level medicine.

Nosebleeds - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Epistaxis is the outflow of blood from the nasal cavity. Blood can either flow out through the nostrils or drain inward along the back of the throat. Usually, such bleeding stops on its own, as the damaged vessels are of small diameter. Very rarely, this condition requires medical attention.

Causes

The causes of bleeding are divided into local and general. Local include:
- Head and/or nose injuries.
- Infectious diseases of the nasopharynx, larynx and trachea.
- Operations on the nasal cavity.
- Neoplasms in the nose.
- Inhalation of irritating substances (hot vapour, acid and alkali fumes, gas).
- Increased air dryness.
Common causes:
- Sudden increase/decrease in blood pressure.
- Hereditary or acquired bleeding disorder.
- Increased vascular fragility.
- Willebrand-Diana disease (hereditary blood disorder).
- Infectious diseases, especially influenza.
Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of anterior bleeding is bleeding from one or both nostrils, in streams or drops. Posterior nosebleeds do not manifest themselves in any way until the blood enters the gastrointestinal tract. Then patients experience nausea, vomiting (coffee grounds), hemoptysis, tarry stools.

Clinical manifestations depend on the volume of blood loss. If it is only a few milliliters, the person's condition will not change, but people with hemophobia may faint. If the bleeding is prolonged and continues, the person complains of dizziness, flies before the eyes, weakness, tinnitus, tachycardia. At the same time, his skin is pale, covered with sweat.

Diagnosis

A surgeon, an otorhinolaryngologist or a general practitioner listens to the patient's complaints, collects an anamnesis and necessarily specifies the presence of chronic diseases, such as arterial hypertension, pathology of the liver, blood vessels, hemophilia. In addition, it is important to know if the patient has had recent surgeries and is taking any medications. Be sure to find out how often nosebleeds recur.

After the interview, the doctor examines the nasal cavity, mouth and throat, measures blood pressure. Perform a complete blood count to evaluate the number of red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin and color index. A coagulogram and a biochemical blood test are also prescribed to check liver function.

Treatment

A person can stop nosebleeds on their own. To do this, it is enough to tilt your head forward and strongly press the wings of the nose against the septum for 5 minutes. Contrary to a well-known myth, it is forbidden to throw your head back, as blood will run into your throat.

First aid:
- pressing the wings of the nose;
- cold compress on the nose;
- insertion of a tampon soaked in adrenaline into the nostril;
Mechanical ways to stop bleeding from the nose:
- anterior and posterior tamponade;
- cauterization of a bleeding vessel;
- hemostatic therapy;
- surgical methods: flashing of vessels, their embolization, ligation of arteries.

Preventive measures include:
- Air humidification.
- Wetting of the nasal mucosa.
- Avoidance of head injury.
- SARS prevention.
- Blood pressure control.