What are the two types of epistaxis?

Epistaxis (nosebleed) is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergencies that present to the emergency room or primary care. There are two types of nosebleeds: anterior (more common), and posterior (less common, but more likely to require medical attention).

What are the three types of nosebleeds?

Causes of nose bleeds can be divided into three categories, local, systemic, and idiopathic (unknown). Local causes, which are the most common, include nasal trauma, nasal dryness, and septal abnormalities.

What are the types of epistaxis?

Epistaxis can be divided into 2 categories, anterior bleeds and posterior bleeds, on the basis of the site where the bleeding originates (see the image below). Posterior epistaxis from the left sphenopalatine artery.

What is the most common cause of epistaxis?

The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Dry air can be caused by hot, low-humidity climates or heated indoor air. Both environments cause the nasal membrane (the delicate tissue inside your nose) to dry out and become crusty or cracked and more likely to bleed when rubbed or picked or when blowing your nose.

What is the difference between anterior and posterior epistaxis?

Direct pressure should be applied continuously for at least five minutes, and for up to 20 minutes. Tilting the head forward prevents blood from pooling in the posterior pharynx, thereby avoiding nausea and airway obstruction.

How do you treat posterior nosebleeds?

The following steps can be taken to treat a nosebleed:

remain calm.
sit upright, to keep the head above heart level.
lean forward, to prevent blood entering the throat.
gently blow out any clotted blood.
use a nasal decongestant spray, such as oxymetazoline or neo-synephrine.

What causes sudden nosebleeds?

Immediate causes of nosebleeds include trauma to the nose from an injury, deformities inside the nose, inflammation in the nose, or, in rare cases, intranasal tumors. Any of these conditions can cause the surface blood vessels in the nose to bleed.

What are 4 indications for intervention by a provider for a nosebleed?

Referral to or consultation with an otolaryngologist or other specialist is indicated for patients with severe epistaxis (eg, uncontrollable bleeding, posterior epistaxis, or hemodynamically unstable [5]), troublesome recurrent epistaxis, or local abnormalities, such as tumors (image 1), polyps, or telangiectasias.

What is another name for nose bleeding?

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.

What are the 3 principal causes frequently seen in patient with unilateral epistaxis?

The most common local causes of epistaxis are trauma, anatomic deformities, inflammatory reactions, and intranasal tumors.

What measures may be used to treat the epistaxis?

Treatments to be considered include topical vasoconstriction, chemical cautery, electrocautery, nasal packing (nasal tampon or gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly), posterior gauze packing, use of a balloon system (including a modified Foley catheter), and arterial ligation or embolization.

Is a rhino rocket posterior packing?

Withdraw the balloon gently until it seats posteriorly. Pack the anterior nasal cavity with a balloon device, nasal tampon (eg, Rhino Rocket), or layered ribbon gauze. Apply a padded umbilical clamp across the catheter to prevent alar necrosis and to keep the balloon from dislodging.

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 bleeding from epistaxis come from?

In rare cases, this condition may lead to massive bleeding and even death. Although epistaxis can have an anterior or posterior source, it most often originates in the anterior nasal cavity. A directed history and physical examination generally determine the cause of the bleeding.

Can a nosebleed cause a posterior epistaxis?

Posterior epistaxis usually involves both nostrils. For these types of nosebleeds, the blood may also flow backwards and uncomfortably get swallowed or coughed up (hemoptysis). Often, diagnosis of posterior epistaxis occurs after failing to manage an anterior epistaxis, or noticing bleeding into the posterior pharynx or throat.

How old do you have to be to get epistaxis?