EPISTAXIS Causes & Management

What is epistaxis?

Bleeding from the nose that can be unilateral or bilateral.

The most frequent site of nose bleeding is __________.

Little's area in the antero-inferior part of the nasal septum.

What is Kiesselbach’s plexus?

A highly vascular anastomosis in the nasal cavity where various blood vessels supply the area.

List two common sites of bleeding from the nose.

Little's area and Woodruff’s area.

What are the local causes of epistaxis?

Congenital and acquired causes such as trauma, infection, and tumors.

What is the commonest cause of acquired epistaxis?

Trauma, specifically nose picking.

Systemic causes of epistaxis include __________.

Hypertension, bleeding disorders, liver diseases, and Vitamin K deficiency.

What investigative tests are useful in managing epistaxis?

Full blood count, clotting profile, renal and liver function tests.

What is one method to stop nasal bleeding?

Cold compress or nose pinching.

Definitive treatment of epistaxis may require __________.

Medical treatment or surgical treatment including arterial ligation.

What is the role of arteries in the circulatory system?

Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to tissues throughout the body.

What are the three types of blood vessels?

The three types are arteries, veins, and capillaries.

What is the function of veins?

Veins return deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

What is the significance of capillaries?

Capillaries enable the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.

What is the largest artery in the human body?

The aorta is the largest artery, distributing oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.