I have had bloody noses since I was 8 years old. About 18 years. They are usually pretty severe. They can last anywhere from 5 minuets to 45 minuets. Sometimes it's only light bleeding, other times it is extremely heavy and dark colored.

People are always telling me to tilt my head back. I can't do this otherwise I start choking on blood clots. It's really gross I know but I am quite concerned.

I have been to my doctor for this. My nose has been caterized 3x. I don't think a 4th time would do any good.

I was tested for anemia when I was kid but I believe I may need to get tested again.

My fiance is overly concerned and thinks something is very wrong. I am beginning to agree.

Is it normal to cought up good sized blood clots during and after a bloody nose?

Should I get retested for anemia?

I think you should go back to see the doctor again. If your nose is dry then you are more susceptible to nosebleeds. Are your nosebleeds worse in the winter and cooler weather? You need to get a room humidifier. That will put some moisture in the air and your nose will be less irritated. Taking aspirin can also cause nosebleeds. If you get frequent pain or headaches then you should take a pain reliever that doesn't contain aspirin. While you are at the doctor, have him check you for high blood pressure. If you don't get any help from your doctor then seek a second opinion.

Clare's reply is right on the nose, in my experience. Last winter I had two nosebleeds so bad I had to go the the ER. High blood pressure combined with warm dry air and a daily aspirin made my nose ready to bleed with any additional pressure. (I don't know if the clots are normal, but I did the same at the hospital, and I was the only one alarmed. My treatment didn't change after I coughed up a clot.)* I was given a pill to lower my BP, a saline nasal spray, and the advice that I needed to deal with my BP. My BP is now fine, I stopped the daily aspirin, and in the winter, I have the spray right next to me. A house brand of nasal moisturizing spray is about $6, and I am less than half-way through my second bottle. It works for me.


*By the way, advising someone with ...uh...an adult size midsection to bend over and put their head between their legs is not a good idea. All it does is increase the pressure.

My nephew used to have chronic nose bleeds like this and for immediate stoppage, the doctor told his mom to pinch and hold the nose just above the openings, but don't restrict the air flow. I don't remember what was the cause of his but he was only a small child. The nose bleeds finally stopped completely.

I don't believe it to be high blood pressure because when I had my blood pressure checked a few months ago. I have never been told by any docotr that I have high blood pressure.

I have tried every trick in the book for bloody noses and most of the mdon't work. Sometimes my best option is to just sit and wait it out. (holding kleenex up to my nose of course)

I am worried because this as been going on for 18 years now.

My mom gets severe nose bleeds sometimes and got them like I have now when she was my age. So it could possibly be hereditary

I think I will have to go to the docotr and at least get it checked out and find out what the deal is.

Thanks so much, guys

Esencia, there are a list of medical disorders that can cause frequent nosebleeds. If you have any other symptom along with the nosebleed you will want to ask your doctor about them:

Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (symptoms: skin rashes, anemia, bruising, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen)

Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia (symptoms: purpura, bruising, poor clotting, bleeding gums, skin lesions, nosebleeds, enlarged spleen)

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (symptoms: bleeding, bruising, red dots on skin, nosebleed, bleeding gums, gastrointestinal bleeding)

Thrombocytopenia (symptoms: bruising, bleeding, clotting failure, Petechiae, Purpura, oral bleeding, nosebleeds, gastrointestinal bleeding, enlarged spleen)

Of course it could be nothing more than having a nasal polyp, a weakend blood vessel in the nasal cavity, or chronic sinusitis. And dry air followed by dust and sand not only dries out the nasal cavity but also is abrasive to the nasal wall resulting in nosebleeds.

I was going to ask you if you used "recreational drugs" but since you said this has been happening to you since you were 8 I figured Cocaine usage was out of the question

Also wondering, is the nosebleed one-sided? Because if it is, you could have a deviated septum. The septum divides the nasal cavities and if it is not straight then the air flow is uneven and one side of the septum may dry out, chap and bleed.

As for what to do when you get one, never tilt your head back. I cringe every time I see someone do that on a tv show. Just sit down and lean forward slightly. Keep your head above your heart level. Use your thumb and index finger and pinch the soft portion of your nose (above nostrils). Keep holding until the bleeding stops, don't let go for at least 5 mins. If you are still bleeding, then hold for 10 mins straight. When the bleeding stops don't do anything like bending or blowing your nose because that can start the bleeding again.

And to prevent further nosebleeds keep the lining of your nose moist by applying vaseline inside your nose twice a day. Also use a humidifier (as Clare suggests) at night in the bedroom and if you smoke, best to quit. Smoking dries out the nasal passages and irritates them.

Hope some of this info is helpful and please let us know what the doc says.