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Epistaxis

 

 
General Info

Epistaxis means bleeding from the nose. This can be spontaneous or induced. This is a  commonly found disease condition.

Cause
There are various causes to bleeding from nose and they are:

Local

Trauma
Sinusitis
Leprosy
Syphilis
TB 
Fungal infection
Physiological 
Puberty

Violent exertion

Extremes of climate-Extreme cold or hot weather

Hypertension
Drugs - salicylates, quinine
Environment - High altitude, extreme temperature

 
Symptoms

In majority of the cases  bleeding can occur from the nose from a region called the nasal septum. 
In some cases it can also occur from  a region called middle turbinate.

Diagnosis
Check Blood Pressure 
Tests for coagulation
X ray for Sinusitis to check any fracture or cancer of nasal sinuses
Biopsy to know nature of  the lesion 

 
Treatment

Treat the specific cause, if any 

Monitor Pulse, Blood Pressure

Ice pack application
Cauterizations

 
More Info

Complications of Epistaxis are fall in blood pressure, severe loss of blood, chest pain, strokes and in some cases result in a heart attack.

 
FAQ

Why do we take antibiotics if we have epistaxis?
This is to prevent infections, following nasal packing.

What is Osler's disease?
This is a congenital cause of epistaxis. There is multiple telangiectasia.

Glosssary
CVA - Cerebro Vascular Accident.
MI - Myocardial Infarction.
Hypo tension - Low blood pressure.
SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematoses.
TB - Tuberculosis.

 

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