What Causes Nosebleeds?

Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is a medical term used interchangeably with acute rhinosinusitis. This condition causes the lining of the sinuses and nose to become inflamed on a short term basis. The inflammation impedes the ability to drain mucus from the sinuses and nose. The most common underlying cause of acute sinusitis is a cold that causes a viral infection. However, there have been noninfectious causes. About one in every eight adults will experience an episode of acute sinusitis every year. Most individuals will experience the condition at least once in their lifetimes. This condition can lead to a nosebleed, especially if excessive nose blowing causes damage to the capillaries in the nose. In addition to the common cold, some causes of acute sinusitis include bacterial and fungal infections, hay fever, other seasonal allergies, nasal polyps, cystic fibrosis, infected adenoids, or a deviated nasal septum. There have also been rare cases in which an infected tooth causes sinusitis because the bacteria spread from the tooth into the sinuses.

Use Of Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

The use of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) might contribute to the presence of nosebleeds. This medication is a blood thinner that reduces the blood's ability to clot. The medication won't cause a nosebleed by itself, but with that said, if the nose does begin to bleed, a reduced ability to clot can make the bleed more significant and noticeable than it would be otherwise. Patients might bleed for a longer period or have trouble stopping the bleed. Aspirin is often used to relieve pain from minor pains and aches, as well as to reduce fever in the body. The medication has anti-inflammatory properties and is sometimes used for its anti-clotting factors. Some doctors recommend that individuals at risk of blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks use low doses of acetylsalicylic acid for long term periods as a maintenance medication. Aspirin has an ingredient derived from willow bark that has been in recorded use since at least 400 BC. At the time, individuals relieved fever and inflammation by chewing willow bark.