Nosebleeds can indicate a serious illness

Especially people who are not so common are sometimes shocked when they suddenly get nosebleeds. Especially because in many cases it is not that easy to stop. Health experts say the causes of nosebleeds are usually harmless.
Causes of nosebleeds mostly harmless
Once the nose cleans and the handkerchief is full of blood: When this happens, most people are often a little scared at first, but usually the causes of nosebleeds are harmless. As Joachim Wichmann, vice president of the Association of Otolaryngologists, said in a statement, the nose is particularly susceptible to bleeding, because the vessels are just below the surface. "Mostly it does not stay with the nose clean, but it is additionally ripped, gepopelt and wiped - that can hurt the small vessels," said the physician.

Nasal bleeding is mostly harmless. If it occurs regularly, a doctor should be consulted. Image: Gina Sanders - fotolia

When sufferers should go to the doctor
Although you do not have to go straight to the doctor when it comes to nosebleeds for the first time, but in repeated occurrence, the cause should be clarified. "Something big can hide behind every little thing", warns Wichmann. The older the person is, the more problematic nosebleeds can be. "Because with age, the blood pressure rises. Nasal bleeding can be the result of excessive blood pressure. Then you have to tackle the cause. "Another possible reason: nosebleeds can be a symptom of a blood clotting disorder. Patients who take blood-thinning medications - such as after a thrombosis, a heart attack or stroke - should always go to the doctor with nosebleeds. Since the nose regenerates quickly and therefore sometimes no longer visible from the problem after a few days, the doctor's visit should be better not too long to wait.

What can help with nosebleeds
According to Wichmann nosebleeds have to bend his head forward and bleed his nose. One method of stopping a nosebleed is to put a cool rag on the neck or hold the nose for ten minutes. For prevention, saline nasal sprays, which moisturise the mucous membranes, can help. Affected people should never put their heads back. Because then the blood collects, is swallowed and that leads to nausea. "So much iron at a time - the body can not stand that." (Ad)