What is the medical definition of epistaxis?

What is the medical definition of epistaxis?

Nosebleeds (medical term is “epistaxis”) are very common. Almost every person has had at least one in their lifetime. They are usually caused by dry air or nose-picking. If you or your child gets a nosebleed, the important thing is to know how to manage it properly.

How do you assess epistaxis?

Evaluation of a patient presenting with epistaxis should begin with assessment of vital signs, mental status, and airway patency. When examining the nose, a nasal speculum and a good light source, such as a headlamp, can be useful. Compressive therapy is the first step to controlling anterior epistaxis.

What are the three types of epistaxis?

An anterior nosebleed occurs when the blood vessels in the front of the nose break and bleed. A posterior nosebleed occurs in the back or the deepest part of the nose. In this case, blood flows down the back of the throat. Posterior nosebleeds can be dangerous.

What is the main cause of epistaxis?

Local trauma is the most common cause, followed by facial trauma, foreign bodies, nasal or sinus infections, and prolonged inhalation of dry air. Children usually present with epistaxis due to local irritation or recent upper respiratory infection (URI).

How is posterior epistaxis diagnosed?

Diagnosing a nosebleed

1. complete blood count (CBC), which is a blood test to check for blood disorders.
2. partial thromboplastin time (PTT), which is a blood test that checks how long it takes for your blood to clot.
3. nasal endoscopy.
4. CT scan of the nose.
5. X-ray of the face and nose.

What divides anterior and posterior epistaxis?

Epistaxis is most commonly classified into anterior or posterior bleeds. This division lies at the piriform aperture anatomically. More than 90% of episodes of epistaxis occur along the anterior nasal septum, which is supplied by Keisselbach’s plexus in a site known as the Little’s area.

How can you tell the difference between anterior and posterior nosebleeds?

How can you tell the difference between anterior and posterior nasal bleeding?

Anterior bleeding may also originate anterior to the inferior turbinate. Posterior bleeds arise further back in the nasal cavity, are usually more profuse, and are often of arterial origin (eg, from branches of the sphenopalatine artery in the posterior nasal cavity or nasopharynx).

What causes recurrent epistaxis?

Nosebleeds that recur often are commonly caused by bleeding from the front of the nose (anterior epistaxis). Common causes of this type of nosebleed are: Blowing or picking the nose. Structural problems in the nose, either present from birth (congenital) or caused by an injury.

What does epistaxis stand for in medical category?

Epistaxis (also called a nosebleed) refers to a minor bleeding from the blood vessels of the nose. Epistaxis is a commonly-found complaint, especially in fields of emergency medicine related to the treatment of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions.

Where does the anterior epistaxis of the nose originate?

What is anterior epistaxis? Anterior epistaxis refers to a nosebleed that originates from the anterior (frontal) part of the nose. Most of the time, cases of anterior epistaxis originate from the Kiesselbach plexus, which is a vascular network found on the nasal septum, as these arteries can be easily traumatized.

Which is the best treatment for anterior epistaxis?

When examining the nose, a nasal speculum and a good light source, such as a headlamp, can be useful. Compressive therapy is the first step to controlling anterior epistaxis. Oxymetazoline nasal spray or application of cotton soaked in oxymetazoline or epinephrine 1: 1,000 may be useful adjuncts to compressive therapy.

What causes a nose bleed or an epistaxis?

A nosebleed. epistaxis. bleeding from the nose caused by local irritation of mucous membranes, violent sneezing, fragility or manipulation of the mucous membrane, chronic infection, trauma, hypertension, coagulopathy, vitamin K deficiency, or, thrombocytopenia.