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What Causes Nose Bleeds Followed By Post Nasal Drip And Thick Mucus?
Posted on
Mon, 9 Jul 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 9 Jul 2018
Answered on
Mon, 4 Jul 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : I recently have been having problems with nose bleeds, I have never had them before but they started a couple of weeks ago. First in the right nostril and since then, only my left nostril. And then it becomes like a postnasal drip and this thick blood mucus comes out. I woke up this morning to go the bathroom around 3 AM and it happened again.
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Nose bleeds can be due to different possible causes. The causes can be divided into local causes (something happening directly to the nose) or systemic causes (related to a general medical problem).
Local causes include- trauma to the nose, a foreign body/object in the nose, exposure to dry or cold air over a long period of time, nose or sinus infections, a growth in the nose or sinuses)
Systemic cause would mainly be a blood disorder, hypertension.
Since you had no previous history of nose bleeds (epitaxis), if it recurs, it would be best to see an ENT doctor for assessment.
Treatment depends on the exact cause of the bleeds but general treatment would include- avoiding meds such as naproxen or ibuprofen that can cause bleeds, if dryness is a problem then normal saline spray may help.
When a bleed occurs, the nostrils should be held together for 5 to 30 mins, head extended but not held backwards because this would encourage blood to go backwards into the throat.
Some persons require surgical treatment, depends on the findings on examination.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Nose bleeds can be due to different possible causes. The causes can be divided into local causes (something happening directly to the nose) or systemic causes (related to a general medical problem).
Local causes include- trauma to the nose, a foreign body/object in the nose, exposure to dry or cold air over a long period of time, nose or sinus infections, a growth in the nose or sinuses)
Systemic cause would mainly be a blood disorder, hypertension.
Since you had no previous history of nose bleeds (epitaxis), if it recurs, it would be best to see an ENT doctor for assessment.
Treatment depends on the exact cause of the bleeds but general treatment would include- avoiding meds such as naproxen or ibuprofen that can cause bleeds, if dryness is a problem then normal saline spray may help.
When a bleed occurs, the nostrils should be held together for 5 to 30 mins, head extended but not held backwards because this would encourage blood to go backwards into the throat.
Some persons require surgical treatment, depends on the findings on examination.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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