What Causes Nosebleeds in the Elderly?

Nosebleeds (epistaxis) occur frequently in some individuals, while others experience them only rarely. Epistaxis is a relatively common condition—particularly among older adults. So, what causes nosebleeds in the elderly?

Causes of Nosebleeds in the Elderly

The specific causes of epistaxis in older adults include the following:
1. Dry rhinitis: With advancing age, nasal mucosal secretions decrease, leading to dryness of the nasal mucosa and frequent bleeding.
2. Atrophic rhinitis: The nasal cavity contains numerous dry crusts. Removing these crusts may easily rupture small submucosal blood vessels, resulting in recurrent epistaxis.

3. Deviated nasal septum: On the deviated side of the nasal septum, the mucosa is thinner and more prone to friction-induced erosion, which can trigger epistaxis.
4. Other factors: Benign tumors (e.g., hemangiomas) or malignant tumors within the nasal cavity may cause epistaxis directly or via tumor ulceration. Hypertension is another common cause of epistaxis in older adults—especially during winter—and often results in severe bleeding. Bleeding typically originates from the posterior nasal cavity; thus, patients may not only experience nasal bleeding but also hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or blood in the mouth. Additionally, a small number of elderly patients suffer from hematologic disorders—such as leukemia or other blood diseases—that predispose them to recurrent epistaxis.

After experiencing epistaxis, older adults are generally advised to consume iron-rich foods—for example, rice flour, unprocessed nori (seaweed), diluted jujube juice, or brown sugar water—as well as vitamin-rich fruits such as kiwifruit and strawberries. We hope this information proves helpful!