What you may notice
Bleeding may come from the nostril, run down the throat, or arise from a mouth or neck lesion. Repeated episodes, swallowing a lot of blood or difficulty clearing the airway deserve attention. Tell the clinician about injury, previous surgery and medicines that affect clotting.
Nose, mouth and throat region
What could cause it?
Dryness, minor trauma, an inflamed nasal lining or a visible local vessel can cause nosebleeds. A clotting disorder, tumour, postoperative injury or abnormal vessel is sometimes responsible for persistent head-and-neck bleeding. ENT or surgical examination identifies the source; scans or angiography are reserved for suitable cases.
When to contact a doctor
For an ordinary nosebleed, sit upright, lean forwards and pinch the soft part of the nose continuously for 10–15 minutes. Do not tilt the head back. Heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, faintness, or bleeding that continues despite pressure needs urgent emergency care; call 108 if severe. Recurrent episodes should be assessed even when they stop.
How interventional radiology may help
Local treatment such as cautery or packing is often sufficient. For selected severe or recurrent arterial bleeding, IR may block the responsible branch by embolisation after discussion with ENT or the surgical team. Surgery may also be needed. Head-and-neck vessels can connect with eye and brain vessels, so careful selection and planning are essential.
Further reading: detailed assessment and treatment options
Patient information sources
References are in English.
Educational information, not a diagnosis. The causes listed are examples, not a complete list. Tests and treatment depend on your individual assessment.