If you’ve ever experienced a nosebleed, you know what a frustrating and unexpected episode it can be. These sudden bursts of blood from the nose can be quite alarming and cause panic to set in while desperately trying to stop the bleeding. Although unsettling, in most cases nosebleeds can be managed with simple measures.
According to Johannesburg-based medical doctor Vuyo Tshona, the most common causes of nose bleeds, medically known as epistaxis, are divided into local and systemic causes. Local causes mean bleeding from the nasal structure, and systemic causes mean affecting the entire body rather than a single organ or body part.
“Examples of local causes are trauma (from nose picking) and a foreign body in the nose. inflammation or infection in the nasal cavity (sinusitis, allergic rhinitis), or abnormalities in the anatomy of the nasal septum,” he explains.
“Systemic causes include hypertension, bleeding disorders such as haemophilia or von Willebrand disease, cardiovascular diseases and vascular diseases, and medications that cause blood thinning, such as warfarin.”
‘It disturbs my lifestyle’
Neo Rametse from the Free State has been having constant nosebleeds for nearly all his life, and he says most days he loses a lot of blood and energy.
“My nose bleeds, and there was a time I bled every morning for about 3 years. It disturbs my lifestyle because I have to change clothes constantly, and sometimes I bleed until I’m numb,” he says.
“I usually try the remedy of pouring cold water over my head or drinking it. It doesn’t stop the bleeding every time unless clots come out and sometimes block my nostrils.”
Keeping her cool
Lwandile Simango from Mpumalanga explains that her nosebleeds happen very unexpectedly, but she believes that they are mostly caused by heat.
“I always experience nose bleeds after being exposed to a lot of heat or sunny weather. I make sure to drink enough water and put a cold cloth with ice on my head to try and cool it down,” she says.
“I’d love to advise people who experience nose bleeds that it’s normal but frustrating; all we have to do is take care of ourselves when living with this.”
Tshona explains that people believe that heat or sinuses cause nosebleeds because heated air or dry air dries the mucosa in the nose, which makes the vessels inside the nose more vulnerable when there is irritation from nose picking, etc.
Reduce or stop the bleeding
Furthermore, he shares some tips on how to reduce or treat a bleeding nose at home.
“Methods one can implement at home include pinching the soft part of your nose using your thumb and index finger. Sit upright and lean your body and your head slightly forward.
“This will keep the blood from running down your throat, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and pinching for at least 5–10 minutes. Ensure to breathe through the mouth while applying this method and avoid blowing your nose after the bleeding stops for a few hours to avoid irritation and re-bleeding,” he states
More basic tips to reduce the reoccurrence of nose bleeds recommended by Tshona include avoiding nose-picking, avoiding irritating nasal agents, and reducing smoking.
He also emphasises that recurring nose bleeds will require evaluation at a health care facility and further investigation if needed to find the source of the bleeding.
“One should seek medical attention when the bleeding is persistent (more than 20 minutes) and is not resolving after trying the methods mentioned above, when taking blood-thinning medication, bleeding after trauma, or if the bleeding is associated with other worrisome symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, or blurred vision,” he advises.
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