Increased conduit vessel stiffness results in increased characteristic impedance of the aorta and decreased arterial compliance, which cause an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure as well as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
Local trauma is the most common cause, followed by facial trauma, foreign bodies, nasal or sinus infections, and prolonged inhalation of dry air. Children usually present with epistaxis due to local irritation or recent upper respiratory infection (URI).
Article Sections. Family physicians frequently encounter patients with epistaxis (nasal bleeding). In rare cases, this condition may lead to massive bleeding and even death. Although epistaxis can have an anterior or posterior source, it most often originates in the anterior nasal cavity. A directed history and physical examination generally determine the cause of the bleeding.