Chronic nose bleeds

Although common, chronic nose bleeds can be frightening and in some cases endanger life. Anterior nose bleeds - those at the front of the nose are common and not as dangerous as posterior nose bleeds which occur at the back of the nose. Nose bleeds are usually caused by local irritation, injury or the drying out of the inside of the nose. In the case of chronic nose bleeds, where a posterior nosebleed is suspected, medical help should be sought, especially if the sufferer is elderly and as people get older they are more prone to nosebleeds from further back in the nose, i.e. chronic nose bleeds. Chronic nose bleeds of the posterior kind, will tend to flow down the throat and into the mouth, whether the sufferer is upright or lying down. This has obvious dangers and can cause a extreme panic. It is important after an episode to keep the head higher than the heart. To counter chronic nose bleeds an antibiotic ointment may be applied to the inside of the nose to reduce crusting. If the chronic nose bleeds cannot be stemmed, the bleeding is rapid and the blood loss considerable, or the sufferer feels weak and/or faint, medical assistance should be sought immediately.