WHY DOES NOSE BLEEDING OCCUR?

With the onset of summer season it is a common sight to see children and elders have an experience of nose bleeding. Usually only one nostril will bleed. In summer during traveling hot waves are common and the nose is the organ that intakes hot air.

Nose bleeding is known as Epistaxis problem.  In Ayurveda nose bleeding is known as naasagata rakta pitta. It creates panic for children and individuals who are experiencing it the first time. On seeing blood all of a sudden they will feel dizzy, disturbed and would prefer to be indoors for the rest of the day.

It is not a health problem, so do not worry. Understand the basic causes and how to prevent nose bleeding from occurring.

Why does nose bleeding occur?

There are a great many tiny blood vessels in the delicate lining of the nose. These small capillaries are easily broken. Any number of things can rupture some of these small vessels and cause a nose bleed.

The blood coming from the nose during a nosebleed can be a continuous stream or a small trickle. It may look as if you are losing a lot of blood, but not much blood is actually lost during the typical nosebleed.

As bleeding from nose comes on suddenly and without warning, it can be unnerving, nosebleeds can usually be managed easily at home. Gently wash your nose with cold water and wipe the area dry.

How to stop bleeding from the nose?

1. Calmly sit down in an upright position, do not lean back in the chair. This will help to keep blood from going down the back of your throat. Breathe through your mouth.

2. Tilt your head forward (not backward).

3. Place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the bridge of your nose and pinch the soft part of your nose firmly for ten minutes without releasing. Apply pressure firmly enough to slow bleeding, but not so strongly as to cause discomfort. Pressure decreases the blood flow through the affected area, slowing bleeding.

You can also place a cold compress / ice cubes on the bridge of your nose. Secondary measure as ice pack may not be available around when nose bleeding starts. Help constrict the local blood vessels.

4. After ten minutes, release the nostrils slowly and check to see if the bleeding has stopped. Avoid touching or blowing your nose. If the bleeding has not stopped, apply pressure for another ten-minute period.

5. If your nose is still bleeding steadily after twenty minutes of pressure, call your Doctor for further guidance.

Avoid going out in the sun. Use head covering and cover your nose to prevent hot waves. Take care of your health. You can understand how to prevent nose bleeding in summer and follow the diet changes to suit the external temperatures and improve your health.

HOW TO PREVENT NOSE BLEEDING IN SUMMER?

Nose bleeding occurs in summer when the tiny blood capillaries get ruptured due to hot waves or picking at the dry mucus inside the nose. The sudden trickle of blood makes the individual get panicky. You can follow the preventive measures mentioned and take care of your health.

What are the Preventive measures of nose bleeding?

• Do not go out in the hot weather. Cover your head with a cap and cover the nose with a folded kerchief or cotton cloth to avoid hot air coming in.
• Placing Air conditioners and Air coolers will maintain some humidity in the air.
• Avoid picking your nose and blowing your nose hard if it’s blocked due to cold and dried mucus.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking and hot drinks because they expand the blood cells in the lining of your nose
• After the bleeding stops, the blood clots inside the nose. Do not try to remove the dried mucus and blood. Clean nose when wet or with a wet paper towel.

Home remedies and Ayurvedic reference for nose bleeding:

• Stop nosebleed by dipping a cotton ball or plain sterile gauze with white vinegar and place it in your nose. Leave it in place for at least ten minutes. The acid of the vinegar will gently cauterize the inside of the nose and stop the bleeding.
• Applying cold compress or ice cubes above the nose or across the bridge of the nose will also help control the bleeding.
• Place a cloth or cotton gauze dipped in lemon juice, provides excellent relief.
• Place a cotton gauze dipped in rosewater or onion juice cloth dipped in Onion juice and place over nostrils.
• Juice of fresh coriander leaves can be used as nasal drops.
• Soak two figs (Anjeer) in water overnight. Eating them with water in the morning, helps to overcome nose bleeding.

Diet to be followed:

• Avoid spicy and items that give heat to the body.
• Consume coolants , coconut water and butter milk.
• Keep away from stress and tensions.
• Body and mind requires rest, have a sound sleep at night.

If you are getting this problem often do consult your doctor. If you are above 50 years of age the nose bleeding could be due to Blood pressure problems and need medical intervention.

Further reading: Get rid of Prickly heat with Home Remedies