Nose Bleeds

Nose bleeds are a serious concern for people who drink heavily, who are dependent on alcohol, or who are going through withdrawal.

Chronic alcohol abuse can impact the amount of platelets in the body. Platelets are needed to prevent excessive bleeding. Additionally, a very low platelet level can cause the following:

• Spontaneous bleeding internally.
• An esophageal bleed.
• A GI or gastrointestinal bleed, or as above,
• A spontaneous nose bleed. A spontaneous nose bleed can be fairly benign or can cause death.

Why heavy drinking can cause nose bleeds

Platelets are small blood cells that clump together to stop bleeding. Heavy alcohol use slows the bone marrow’s production of platelets, and a low platelet count is common in heavy drinkers. Long-term heavy drinking can also make the platelets you do have work less well. With fewer, weaker platelets, small blood vessels in the nose can bleed easily and take longer to stop.

The good news is that these effects usually reverse once drinking stops.

Other signs of a low platelet count

• Bleeding gums
• Large or unexplained bruises
• Blood in vomit
• Black, tarry or bloody stool
• Brown or red urine

When a nose bleed is an emergency

Bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure is a medical emergency. Call 911 if a nose bleed will not stop, or if it comes with dizziness, vomiting blood, or black stool.