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epistaxis
(ep″ĭ-stak´sis)
hemorrhage from the nose, usually due to rupture of small vessels that are over the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum. Minor bleeding may be caused by a blow on the nose, irritation from a foreign body, vigorous nose-blowing during a cold,
or occasionally menstruation. At times there may be a serious underlying cause. Arteriosclerosis is a possible cause in the elderly. Polyps, other fleshy growths in the nose, food allergy, hypertension, certain vitamin deficiencies, or diseases that produce a bleeding tendency may produce nosebleed. Called also nosebleed
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