Bloody Nose and Headache

Bleeding from your nose is a common condition, and are usually not associated with any serious medical problem. But still, a nosebleed can be a frightening experience for many people. However, bleeding from the nose can be stopped or managed at home without any medical intervention, if it is not very serious. Basically, nosebleeds can be of two types, anterior nosebleeds (bleeding originates in the front of the nose and usually from the nasal septum) and posterior nosebleeds (bleeding originates from the back of the nose). Posterior nosebleeds are more complicated than the anterior nosebleeds. Sometimes, along with nosebleeds, certain individuals can experience some other discomforts like, headaches and dizziness which can be the indicators of certain underlying health conditions.

Causes of Nosebleed and Headache

The inside of the nasal cavity contains numerous blood vessels, which can rupture at times due to trauma or irritation. In children, common cold and allergies are some of the most common bloody nose causes. These conditions cause the blood vessels of the nasal cavity to get congested and then rupture and bleed either spontaneously or due to slight irritation.

Apart from these, a blow to the nose or head, dryness inside the nose, nose picking, excessive use of nasal sprays, sinusitis, bleeding problems can be some other possible causes of nosebleeds. It can be associated with trauma or a blow to the head. A blow to the head can damage the blood vessels located in the back of the nose to cause posterior nosebleeds.

Another common cause is high blood pressure. So, if you experience these problems together, then consider to check your blood pressure level. Sometimes, excessive bleeding from the nose can also cause headache. If bleeding continues for a long time, it can result in significant loss of blood, which in turn can manifest in headache and dizziness. Occasionally, severe and frequent nosebleeds in children can lead to anemia due to considerable loss of blood which can contribute to headaches too.

How to Stop Nosebleed

It is possible to treat bloody nose at home, if the bleeding is not very severe. To stop the bleeding, sit upright and lean slightly forward. This can help to reduce the blood pressure in the blood vessels of the nose, and avoid swallowing blood. Never lie down or tilt the head backwards, when your nosebleeds. Now, to stop the bleeding, pinch the soft part of your nose, just beneath the bone ridge with a tissue or a soft cloth. Keep pressing that area for 5 to 10 minutes. In the meantime, breathe through the mouth normally and stay calm. You can also apply cold compress or ice to the nose in order to stop the bleeding.

Once the bleeding has stopped, avoid the activities that can irritate the nose such as, blowing the nose or nose picking. To moisturize the inside lining of the nose, you can use petroleum jelly. If there are sores inside the nose, antibiotic ointment can be used. But, if the bleeding does not stop and continues for more than 15 minutes, then please seek medical attention for the proper bloody nose treatment. Similarly, inform your physician, if you experience headache along with nosebleeds. It is important to keep in mind that severe bleeding from the nose, along with dizziness, headaches, loss of consciousness and breathing difficulty can be the signs of some underlying disorders.

To sum up, these health problem can occur together due to excessive bleeding, high blood pressure and anemia. Proper treatment of this condition is possible only after evaluating the underlying causes. If nosebleed occurs along with headache, then it is advisable to check the level of blood pressure and go for complete blood count test. At the same time, one should also talk to a certified physician to properly evaluate the condition with the help of appropriate diagnostic procedures.