Nose Bleed – Should You Be Worried About It
The sight of a nose bleed, especially when you don’t know the cause behind it, can make you afraid. Many people experience nose bleed or epistaxis as it’s medically known. There are a myriad of nose bleed reasons ranging from mild to severe.
A very common cause of nosebleeds is the inhalation of dry air at night. Such air can make the nostril lining extremely dry and prone to cracks. It, in turn, results in bleeding. Although one can notice the occurrence of nosebleeds in children, adults can also go through it. Let’s explore this condition in further detail.
Nosebleed – What It Is?
Person experiencing nosebleed, Credit: Pixabay
Nosebleed means the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the internal part of your nose. Around 60% of people experience this condition. Your nose is located at a position where it is easy to get injured. There are many blood vessels in the lining of your nose and they can easily get injured from many day-to-day activities.
Nose Bleed Reasons
There are various causes of nosebleeds, but most of them are not serious. As mentioned before, dry air is one of the chief reasons for it. Other common reasons include:
Nose picking, especially done by children
A forceful blowing of the nose
Injury to the face
Inflammation of the nasal line
Intake of blood thinning medications like aspirin, warfarin
Thinner and dryer air in the high altitude
Use of nasal sprays to treat itchy, stuffy, or runny nose
Chemical irritants present in the environment
Respiratory infections like cold and sinusitis
Can your nose bleed after drinking alcohol?
Person drinking alcohol, Credit: Pixabay
Yes it can. Regular consumption of alcohol can stop your blood from clotting. This can result in your nose bleeding. Alcohol also expands the blood vessels that are present in the nasal cavity. Hence, your nose becomes more prone to injury.
Should You Be Worried About Nosebleeds?
Person suffering from nosebleed, Credit: Pixabay
Both children, adults, and older people are prone to experiencing nosebleeds. The causes mentioned above are nothing to be worried about. But sometimes nosebleeds occur from the large vessels which are situated behind the nose. These kinds of nosebleeds can be dangerous.
Adults may experience it due to atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and intake of blood-thinning medications, among others. Keep in mind that if you experience nosebleeds continuing longer than 20 minutes, you should immediately seek medical assistance.
Nosebleeds are also a warning signal when you experience it after an accident or injuries like a punch. It may indicate internal bleeding, which should make you immediately seek a doctor’s assistance. If you experience it very frequently, then it can be a sign of blood clotting or other blood-related disorders.
How To Stop Nose Bleeding?
Person stopping a nosebleed, Credit: Pixabay
You can take the following measures to manage a nosebleed.
Don’t panic, just relax.
To stop the blood from going down your throat, sit straight and lean your body forward.
Do not bring your head between your legs or lay flat.
Instead of nose, inhale and exhale through your mouth.
Using your index and thumb finger, press together the soft parts of your nose against the bridge of the nose.
Press your nose repeatedly for 5-6 minutes.
You can also use a decongestant spray on the side of the nose which is bleeding.
Apply an ice pack on your nose bridge to slow down the bleeding.
Do not forcefully blow your nose.
Stop rubbing your nose.
It’s also essential for you to take the right nose bleed sleeping position. Lift your head on a pillow when you lay down to sleep. You can apply a little nasal gel on the inside of your nose. It will help prevent dryness, which is a significant cause of nosebleeds.
Thus, nose bleeds, for the most part, are nothing to be afraid of. Managing them also is easy, and they can be effectively treated at home. However, if you’re suffering from any underlying health condition, nose bleeds can signal something serious. It is best to seek professional help in such a situation.