What Causes Nosebleeds And How To Prevent Them

Several reasons can cause nosebleeds. Some people experience nose bleeds if they have high blood pressure, allergies or sinus problems. 

These three causes are relatively common, and there is an easy way to prevent them: treatments for the underlying cause. However, many people may not know what the real reason for their bleeding noses might be. So, below are some less common causes for nosebleeds and prevention tips that you can use.

Causes of Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are quite common and can cause a lot of discomforts. The most frequent causes for nosebleeds include dry air, injury to the nasal passages or septum and cold temperature exposure. In some instances, it is also possible that there could be an underlying illness like hypertension, or diabetes mellitus, which could lead to significant changes in how the body functions on the inside. 

Some people might think they have allergies when their bodies may not be producing enough vitamin K, leading to nose bleeds; this condition is Vitamin-K deficiency bleeding disorder. Also, some medications such as aspirin, heparin and warfarin put people at risk for bleeding more. 

A nosebleed lasts about 20-30 minutes and usually stops by itself. However, a proper diet and drinking plenty of water are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle with no nose bleeds.

A ruptured blood vessel in the nasal cavity can lead to nosebleeds. This might be due to many reasons, including allergies, high altitude or dry climate conditions and even being sick with colds or flu. While most cases are not severe enough that you would need medical intervention, it is still important to treat these symptoms immediately if they occur at all. 

If you have any concerns about your injuries, seek out professional help from you ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor immediately, so they can assess potential treatment plans accordingly as well as recommend how long before returning to regular activity after treatment.

How to stop nosebleeds

Not everyone knows how to stop a nosebleed. If you're not sure what to do, follow these steps:

• Apply gentle pressure, sit down and lean forward.
• Pinch your nostrils together with two fingers for five minutes or until bleeding stops.
• Then, push on both sides of the nose.
• Gently push downward in an inward motion across the bridge of your nose using three fingers from each hand just below either side of your eyes. 
• Breathe through the mouth. Open wide and breathe in and out slowly while pinching your nostrils closed above one finger at all times to avoid swallowing blood.
• Tilt your head back so that blood flows towards the back of your throat and not down the windpipe. You can also prop up your head on a pillow if lying flat is uncomfortable.
• Sit tight for another five minutes to prevent blood from draining into the throat and stomach.
• Wait for bleeding to stop if you have a cold or flu, apply petroleum jelly to your nose. It will help prevent tissue damage from the inside of the nose. 

Prevention of Nosebleeds

Avoid picking your nose. When you pick your nose, you risk dry air and a pressure change, which puts you at risk of developing a hemorrhage inside the nasal cavity. That is why it is best not to touch one's nostrils or snort with the fingers when trying to clean them out, instead use some tissues paper.

Dryness can cause nosebleeds, so it's good to change clothes periodically, especially if you are wearing the same outfit every day or have been walking for a long time in pantyhose shoes. Therefore, the best way is to take short breaks and freshen up at least once an hour. Drink plenty of fluids but not alcohol, as this will dehydrate you even more.

Avoid hot rooms because they also tend to make people sweat excessively, leading to dehydration. Finally, keep skin moisturized all over by using natural oils like coconut oil or almond oil that contain vitamin E known for its anti-inflammatory properties against irritation.

The main cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Keeping the nostrils moist will help reduce this risk, but there are many other simple ways to prevent them as well. These include avoiding certain medications or activities that can thin out blood vessels and stopping smoking if one smokes regularly. In addition, if you have a history of frequent nosebleeds, your ENT doctor may prescribe some medication for prevention purposes.

Learn more about Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates by calling us today at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014 and New Asheville: 828-458-8100