epistaxis (redirected from epistaxes)

epistaxis /ep·i·stax·is/ (-stak´sis) nosebleed; hemorrhage from the nose, usually due to rupture of small vessels overlying the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum.

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ep·i·stax·is (p-stkss)

n. pl. ep·i·stax·es (-stksz)

A nosebleed.

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Epistaxis

The medical term for a nosebleed.

Mentioned in: Nasal Trauma, Nosebleed

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epistaxis

[ep′istak′sis]

Etymology: Gk, a dropping

bleeding from the nose caused by local irritation of mucous membranes, violent sneezing, fragility of the mucous membrane or of the arterial walls, chronic infection, trauma, hypertension, leukemia, vitamin K deficiency, or, most often, picking the nose. Also called nosebleed.

observations Epistaxis may result from the rupture of tiny vessels in the anterior nasal septum. This occurs most frequently in early childhood and adolescence. In adults it occurs more commonly in men than in women; may be severe in elderly persons; may be accompanied by respiratory distress, apprehension, restlessness, vertigo, and nausea; and may lead to syncope.

interventions The patient suffering epistaxis is instructed to breathe through the mouth, to sit quietly with the head tilted slightly forward to prevent blood from entering the pharynx, and to avoid swallowing blood. The bleeding may be controlled by pinching the soft part of the nose firmly with the fingers; by inserting a cotton ball soaked in a topical vasoconstrictor and applying pressure to the skin on both sides of the nose, occluding the blood supply to the nostrils; or by placing an ice compress over the nose. If bleeding continues, the clots may be removed by suction. The nasal mucosa may be anesthetized with topical lidocaine, cauterized with a silver nitrate stick or an electrical cautery, and then sprayed with epinephrine. Cocaine derivative may be used as a potent temporary vasoconstrictor. Severe bleeding, especially from the posterior nasal septum, may be treated by inserting packing, which generally is left in place for 1 to 3 days. Persistent or recurrent profuse epistaxis may be treated by ligating an artery supplying the nose, such as the external carotid, ethmoid, or internal maxillary artery.

nursing considerations The nurse administers first aid and ordered medication; assists in cauterization and nasal packing; checks the patient's blood pressure, pulse, and respiration every half hour until bleeding subsides; and then continues to check them every 4 hours. The nurse limits the patient's activity, avoids serving milk and hot liquids, encourages expectoration rather than swallowing of blood, and reports symptoms of respiratory distress, vertigo, and bleeding. Before the patient is discharged, the nurse provides instruction on the prevention of epistaxis by using a vaporizer and applying a water-soluble gel with a cotton swab gently to the mucous membrane lining the nostrils.

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epistaxis (e·p·stakˑ·sis),

n nosebleed; caused most commonly by picking but can occur as a result of vigorous sneezing, trauma, irritated mucous membranes, leukemia, vitamin K deficiency, hypertension, and other conditions.

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epistaxis (ep´istak´sis),

n (nosebleed) bleeding from the nose.

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epistaxis

bleeding from the nose. This is usually from damaged vessels in the nasal mucosa but can also be due to an increased fragility of capillaries or bleeding tendencies, particularly thrombocytopenia. Injury may be due to erosion or ulceration of the mucosa by a systemic disease, e.g. glanders in the horse, or by a local disease of the mucosa, e.g. allergic rhinitis, trauma to the face or to the head generally, in which case the bleeding is likely to be due to a serious lesion, or to foreign bodies up the nose, a common cause.

Bleeding from the nose originating from sites other than the nasal mucosa is a common and serious occurrence in all species but particularly in the horse because of its implication for safety while racing. The passage of large amounts of blood suddenly is usually associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and is often fatal in horses and cattle. In horses this usually occurs during hard exercise. When the bleeding in the horse occurs at rest the origin is commonly from the guttural pouch and due to mycotic erosion of the blood vessels there. See also guttural pouch mycosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, caudal vena caval thrombosis, cranial vena caval thrombosis.

Epistaxis in a horse. By permission from Knottenbelt DC, Pascoe RR, Diseases and Disorders of the Horse, Saunders, 2003

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epistaxis

Medtalk → Vox populi Nosebleed

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Patient discussion about epistaxes.

Q. Why do litlle kids' nose's begin to bleed?

A. A nose starts to bleed when one of the small veins in its lining bursts. This is usually caused by something completely harmless, such as the child picking their nose, blowing it too hard or having their nose knocked while playing. Another reason could be that the child has pushed something inside their nose. Some children have veins that are closer to the mucous membrane of their nose than other children. Because the veins are very close to the skin, they are more likely to burst when the child picks, blows or rubs their nose, or plays rough games.

Q. Hi this is Wilson; I have a daughter, who is 5. She has frequent nose bleeds when she is behaving badly. Hi this is Bell; I have a daughter, who is 5. She has frequent nose bleeds when she is behaving badly. She has been screened by her school for ADHD and I haven’t had a chance to consult a doctor for her screening and exam for ADHD. I thought that her nose bleeds cause due to her behavior? I need help.

A. I don’t have an idea about this. But I think that you should first discuss these issues with your doctor. Also mention to the doctor if she has any problems with sleeping, like only sleeping 6 hours a night. Try with occupational Therapists which help children and adults with small motor issues like handwriting and also with sensory issues like learning how to calm down. Early intervention is always best.

Q. My son often has severe nose bleeds. What if any illness' holds this symptom? They wake him in the night. My son has these terrible nose bleeds and I am sooo worried. I have no health insurance and would appreciate some info if anyone has any. Since he was about 4, now 12, he usually has them in the middle of the night. He does have allergies and takes over the counter allergy meds for seasonal allergies. He also has a heat lamp in his bedroom for his dragon. However; I never thought the lamp could cause this because they started 5 years before he had his dragon that uses the heat lamp. I am very worried it could be serious. Any info would be appreciated.

A. does it happen when the allergy attack occur? because it can cause nose bleeding. does he have a bleeding problem? when he get's a cut, how long it takes until the bleeding stops?
deviated septum in the nose can also cause...
but my nephew has seasonal allergies, and he bleed from his nose sometimes. so i guess it's common.