You may be working or resting when you suddenly notice blood trickling from your nose. It can be unsettling at first, but such episodes are fairly common. During winter, reduced water intake, dry air, or infrequent bathing can dry out the nasal passages and trigger bleeding. Nosebleeds can also occur due to several reasons, including a past nasal injury, irritation, or a sudden spike in blood pressure. In medical terms, a nosebleed is known as epistaxis.
However, nosebleeds don't necessarily mean something frightening. Rather, bleeding can be stopped through some simple methods. Here are those tips…
Stay calm and sit upright
Many people get scared when they have a nosebleed. And this fear itself can cause blood pressure to rise. This can be counterproductive. So don't panic. Stay calm. Don't lie down when you have a nosebleed. Sit upright. This reduces bleeding. Tilt your head slightly backward. This can stop the bleeding.
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Check your pressure
It's very good if you have a pressure machine at hand. In such cases, quickly measure your blood pressure once. If it's very high, then bleeding might occur due to that reason. In that case, it's better to let the blood flow out. Sit with your head tilted slightly forward. Spit out rather than swallowing the blood. This reduces the risk of other major diseases. Don't delay and immediately consult a doctor.
Pinch your nose
Using your thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the soft part of your nose, just below the bone. During this time, breathe through your mouth. Stay seated like this continuously for 7-10 minutes. This can stop the bleeding. Don't release the pressure too quickly to check if the bleeding has stopped. This might restart the bleeding.
Apply a cold compress
When you have a nosebleed, cup your hands with cold water and sniff it through your nose. This home remedy might work. Place an ice pack or cold cloth on your nose or cheek. This constricts blood vessels, which helps reduce bleeding.
Be careful even after bleeding stops
Once the bleeding stops, it's better not to blow your nose, sneeze forcefully, or touch your nose for a few hours. This allows the blood vessels to return to their normal state.
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When is it necessary to consult a doctor?
If bleeding continues for 20 minutes or more, don't delay any further. Consult a doctor.
If such incidents keep recurring, it's not a good sign. See a doctor if you have frequent nosebleeds.
If you get injured somewhere in your mouth for any reason and bleeding starts afterwards, don't ignore it. It's necessary to check if there's any internal problem.
If you experience dizziness, weakness, or breathing difficulties along with bleeding, or if there's profuse bleeding, be alert. Quickly consult a doctor.
