Headaches and Nosebleeds

by Garreth Myers

Nosebleeds or epistaxis are common in adults and in children and usually do not require serious medical attention. The nose starts to bleed mainly because the small blood vessels in the nasal lining are highly sensitive and can start bleeding easily. If experienced one at a time, nosebleeds and headaches are nothing to worry about; however, if both the symptoms occur at the same time, it could be a cause for concern and you should visit your doctor to get a diagnosis. One of the main reasons why a headache and nosebleed occurs at the same time is high blood pressure or anemia. Symptoms will include one of your nostrils bleeding and a throbbing headache.

Causes of Nosebleeds and Headaches

There are a number of reasons that could be responsible for you experiencing both a headache along with a nosebleed. Causes of a nosebleed could be due to a cold, allergies, upper respiratory infection, infected mucous membrane, forceful blow or impact to the nose, dryness, injured nose, nose picking, sneezing, blowing your nose too hard, or high altitudes. There could be times when you nose starts bleeding without any particular reason. Nose bleeds usually are in the front of the nose and can be stopped easily. Here are the various scenarios under which you could suffer from both these symptoms at the same time.

Anemia: An anemic could suffer from a combination of nosebleed and headache. To find out if you are suffering from anemia, a simple blood test to check the blood counts will help you out as headaches in children with anemia are common.

Dry mucous membrane: If the mucous membrane in the nose gets dry, it could lead to nosebleeds and headaches at the same time. When the mucous membrane is not moist, it tends to crack and then bleed.

High blood pressure: The main cause of nosebleeds and headaches occurring at the same time is high blood pressure. Get your blood pressure levels checked, and if it is on the higher side, the solution is to get you blood pressure to normal levels as soon as possible to avoid the symptoms from resurfacing again.

Head trauma: Another cause of nosebleeds and headaches at the same time can be if you suffer any trauma to the head. Sustaining a blow to your head could cause the blood vessels in your nose to rupture and bleed, and the impact of the blow could also lead to headaches.

Sinus infection: A severe infection to the sinus could lead to headaches; though nosebleeds are uncommon due to sinusitis, they occur due to excess use of decongestants or nasal sprays.

If you suffer from both the symptoms, make sure that you consult your doctor immediately and get treated. If your test results are normal and you do not suffer from high blood pressure or anemia, then you may just be suffering from common headaches and nosebleeds which your doctor will treat accordingly. Prevent nosebleeds and headaches by maintaining a balanced and healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.

Tips for a Nosebleed

Avoid blowing or touching your nose too often when you have a nosebleed as your nose will be very sensitive and could start bleeding again.

If you need to blow your nose, do it gently and blow one nostril at a time.

Don’t smoke or be in an area that has smokers as when you come in contact with smoke this dries out your nasal passages.

Consult your doctor and get your allergies treated as repeated sneezing could cause a nosebleed.

Avoid putting your fingers in your nose as it could aggravate the injury or irritate you further.

Sit down and pinch your nose for five minutes to stop the blood flow. If this doesn’t work, apply pressure while pinching your nose. Placing an ice bag on your nose also helps clot the blood.

Avoid using nasal sprays and decongestants excessively. Use a humidifier in your room to make sure your nasal passage is moist.

Hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water.

If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes or if you suffer trauma to the head, make sure that you seek medical attention.

References:

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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