A nose bleed is a loss of blood from the tissue that lines the nose. The nose contains many small blood vessels that can bleed easily. Occasional nose bleeds are common and most often occur as a result of a combination of dryness in the nose and nose picking. Frequent nose bleeds can indicate underlying blood disorders or nose abnormalities.
Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is a thin wall that separates the nose into right and left nasal passages. In normal cases, the septum is in the middle of the passages and separates them into equal spaces. A deviated septum is a condition in which the septum is shifted to one side, making one of the nasal passages larger than the other. A deviated septum can be congenital or develop as a result of injury to the nose. A minor deviated septum may not cause any symptoms, but a more serious deviation can result in nasal obstruction, nasal congestion, frequent nosebleeds, frequent sinus infections and noisy breathing, according to MayoClinic.com. The only way to correct a deviated septum is with surgery. During surgery, the surgeon will cut the septum and position it into the center of the nose.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the inability of the blood to properly clot. When blood clots, it forms a plug that is intended to stop bleeding. If the blood cannot clot properly, bleeding, such as from a minor cut, is prolonged and abnormally severe. The risk of internal bleeding is also high for hemophiliacs. In addition to prolonged bleeding, those with hemophilia experience frequent nose bleeds, bruises, joint pain, swelling, and blood in the urine or stool. There are several types of hemophilia and specific treatment is dependent on the type. Most cases of hemophilia can be controlled with injections of missing blood clotting factors and hormones.
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal formation of the blood vessel network. In normal cases, blood passes from the arteries into small blood vessels called capillaries where it travels into veins. This ensures that the blood pressure is not too high when the blood reaches the veins and that the blood has undergone a gas exchange in the capillaries, according to Genetics Home Reference. In those with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, the blood passes directly from the artery to the vein. Without the capillaries, the pressure of the blood remains high and causes a significant amount of excess pressure on the veins. The extra pressure puts strain on the veins and causes them to enlarge. Frequent nosebleeds are a common symptom in those with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Another common symptom is small reddish spots that appear on the face, lips, fingers and toes, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Treatment for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia consists of laser therapy, surgery and possibly, blood transfusions.
