Epistaxis, namely bleeding from the nose is not a disease but a symptom of local or systemic diseases.
Systemic causes (60-70%): arterial hypertension, antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants, bleeding disorders, piastrinopatie, piastrinopenie, liver failure, kidney failure, scurvy.
Local causes (30-40%): microtrauma from scratching and foreign objects (especially in children), small varicose veins, nasal trauma, facial tissues, craniofacial, rhinitis, Granulomatous rhinitis, vasomotor phenomena (excessive sun exposure), irritating dust, benign tumors (bleeding polyps septal, juvenile fibroangioma), trophic ulcer of nasal septum (cocaine, chrome, cement), malignant tumors (typically cause brownish discharge, streaked with blood), post surgical, Telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler).
The anterior epistaxis are typically venous malformations, the rear ones more easily and generally more severe arterial.
In case of minor epistaxis is recommended keep your head forward so as to allow the blood to exit all external ’, compress the nostrils doing some’ of pressure (but without exaggeration) and put on the forehead of more ice packs.
If the nosebleeds are very frequent or serious you will need to consult the specialist. L ’ Otolaryngologist will investigate the possible causes and may lock bleeding Hemostatic techniques outpatient (Chemical Cauterization, galvanocaustica, hemostasis with bipolar forceps) or front infill (with simple gauze, merocel, stacking factor with Kara, absorbable fibrin sponges) or rear fender bender.
In exceptional cases it may be necessary to resort to surgery or Interventional Radiology (embolization) or endoscopic surgical approaches (Cauterization with bipolar of sphenopalatine) or external (ligation of internal maxillary ethmoid or front and back).
