Bleeding from nose is very common condition. Usually it is not related to any major health problems. However it is definitely inconvenient and frightening for a person who suffers from it. A nosebleed hardly requires any medical intervention. In most cases, it can be treated at home, provided the bleeding is not serious.
Bleeding from the nose can be of two types, anterior nasal bleeding and posterior nasal bleeding. In most cases bloody nose occurs from the anterior portion and it stops after sometime. Bleeding from posterior or the back side of the nose is difficult to manage, especially if it persists for a long duration.
There can be associated symptoms such as headache and dizziness. Bloody nose and headache should not be ignored as there may be a serious underlying cause for its occurrence.
Causes Of Headaches And Bloody Noses
The mucus membrane of nose is full of tiny blood vessels. These tiny blood vessels rupture easily due to external trauma and cause nasal bleeding. Any irritation inside the nose such as common cold or an allergy can cause inflammation of the nasal mucus membrane resulting into bleeding from nose.
Aside from this, the other causes for bloody nose include dry nose, overuse of nasal spray, nose picking, sinusitis, foreign body inside the nose and certain blood dyscrasias.
If a person has frequent bloody nose and headache, he has to consult his doctor immediately to measure his blood pressure. Excessive bleeding from the nose, as in case of posterior nasal bleeding can itself cause headache and dizziness.
Treatment For Bloody Nose And Headache
When there is bleeding from the nose it is important to control the bleeding, most of the time it can be managed at home.
- Just relax, sit upright and tip your head forward. It reduces the pressure in the tiny blood vessels of the nose. Besides, it prevents you from swallowing the blood. By any chance do not lie down, or bend your head backwards.
- Now to stop the bleeding pinch your nostrils shut between your thumb and index finger. Or apply firm pressure against the bleeding nostril for 10 minutes. Breathe through mouth for that much time.
- Another safe method is to apply ice to the nose. Most of the time bloody nose will stop within 10 to 15 minutes after these procedures.
- Do not blow your nose for at least 12 hours after the bleeding has stopped. You can moisten the inside of the nose with petroleum jelly after the bleeding has stopped.
However if the bloody nose and headache persists even after home treatment, seek medical attention at the earliest.