- Epistaxis
- Medical term for nosebleed. The nose is a part of the body that is very rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position on the face. As a result, any trauma to the face can cause bleeding which may be profuse. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out, crust, and crack, as is common in dry climates, or during the winter months when the air is dry and warm from household heaters. People are more susceptible if they are taking medications which prevent normal blood clotting (Coumadin, warfarin, aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory medication). Other predisposing factors include infection, trauma, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, hypertension, alcohol abuse, and inherited bleeding problems. “Epistaxis” is a Greek word meaning “a dripping,” especially of blood from the nose.
* * *Bleeding from the nose. SYN: nasal hemorrhage, nosebleed. [G. fr. epistazo, to bleed at the nose, fr. epi, on, + stazo, to fall in drops]
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n.bleeding from the nose, which is a very common condition. Although there is usually no obvious underlying cause, epistaxis can be caused by low-grade bacterial infection of the front of the nose, hypertension, clotting disorders, or tumours of the nose or sinuses. Treatments include pinching the bottom part of the nostrils together, cauterizing the bleeding vessel, or packing the nose with antiseptic gauze or specially designed inflatable balloons. Occasionally surgery is required to interrupt the flow of blood to the nose. See Little's area, Kiesselbach's plexus.* * *
ep·i·stax·is (ep″ĭ-stakґsis) [Gr.] hemorrhage from the nose; called also nosebleed and nasal hemorrhage.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
