It was a typical morning. My mother was getting ready; this was her usual routine: bustling around the house. When she suddenly stopped and shouted, blood was oozing from her nose. As kids, my siblings and I were terrified. We scrambled to help, but it wasn't until later that we learned the cause of that alarming moment: high blood pressure. That day was our first lesson in the silent yet powerful effects of hypertension. Nosebleeds, or epistaxis, are common, and nearly everyone experiences at least one in their lifetime.

While most are minor and often caused by dry air or irritation, some can signal underlying health concerns. One recurring question is whether high blood pressure causes nosebleeds or is merely coincidental.

Where Exactly Does a Nosebleed Occur?

The nose is covered by a rich plexus of small blood vessels, making it prone to bleeding. Most nosebleeds are anterior in origin, occurring at the front of the nose, and are relatively benign. They often occur because of irritants such as dry air, frequent nose-blowing, or trauma.

On the other hand, posterior nosebleeds are caused by a source that is located deeper within the nasal cavity. They are less common but more severe, as the blood tends to flow backward into the throat, making them more difficult to control. Common causes of posterior nosebleeds include trauma, medical conditions, or high blood pressure.

Connection Between Nosebleeds and High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the condition whereby the pressure of blood against the arterial walls is consistently too high. Over time, this may damage the fine blood vessels in the nose, causing them to rupture more easily.

Significant studies have shown a strong relationship between hypertension and severe cases of nosebleeds necessitating urgent care. A certain study showed that patients diagnosed with high blood pressure had 2.7-fold increased chances of having nosebleeds that were not slight.

However, it should be noted that mild hypertension by itself does not cause nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are more likely to happen during a hypertensive crisis when the blood pressure suddenly rises to above 180/120. A hypertensive crisis can also have other symptoms such as a severe headache, shortness of breath, and anxiety. Therefore, it is considered a medical emergency.

Why Does Hypertension Increase the Risk?

Chronic hypertension makes the walls of blood vessels weaker and less elastic, which easily causes them to tear. In the nose, this is especially vulnerable because the blood vessels are close to the surface. Sudden surges in blood pressure, such as in a hypertensive crisis, can cause tears in these weakened vessels, resulting in nosebleeds.

While hypertension is a contributing cause, nosebleeds occur infrequently as the only manifestation of high blood pressure. This makes regular monitoring for blood pressure all the more crucial, as hypertension has the reputation of being the "silent killer" since people often do not present symptoms until the disease has run its course.

Other Causes of Nosebleeds

• Dry Air: Cold weather or house heating dries out membranes that line the nose, hence susceptible to cracking.
• Trauma: Blows in the nose, nose picking or excessive nose blowing can traumatize blood vessels.
• Intrinsic Disease: Liver disease and kidney disease and drug therapy that affect clotting such as blood thinners enhance the risk of nose bleeding.
• Foreign Bodies: Children especially tend to insert objects up their noses, which can be irritating and bleed.
• Allergies or Infections: Chronic nasal inflammation resulting from allergies or colds causes irritation to the nasal mucosa.

Managing Nosebleeds at Home

For most nosebleeds, you can manage them yourself at home:

1. Sit up and lean slightly forward to prevent swallowing blood.

2. Press your nostrils together for at least 10 minutes.

3. Use a cold compress on the bridge of your nose to constrict blood vessels.

4. If the bleeding continues, use a nasal decongestant spray.

Consult a doctor if the bleeding persists beyond 20 minutes, is heavy, or follows a head injury.

Preventing Nosebleeds

Preventive measures can decrease the incidence of nosebleeds:

• Use a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air.
• Apply saline sprays or gels to keep nasal passages hydrated.
• Avoid nasal trauma by being gentle when blowing your nose.

For patients with hypertension, managing blood pressure is the best way to minimize the risk of complications. A combination of lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and prescribed medications, can help keep blood pressure in check.

When to Worry About Nosebleeds

Most nosebleeds are harmless, but they can sometimes be signs of an underlying health condition. In adults with high blood pressure, frequent or severe nosebleeds should never be ignored. A health provider should be consulted in order to rule out any serious conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.

Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and awareness about the relationship between nosebleeds and high blood pressure would go a long way to protect your health. Indeed, prevention is always better than cure.

Epistaxis and hypertension. Post Graduate Medical Journal. 1977

When you hear the term plastic surgery, what comes to mind first? For many people, it's cosmetic enhancements such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, or body contouring. However, experts say this is one of the biggest misconceptions about the specialty.

Marking World Plastic Surgery Day on July 15, specialists highlighted that plastic surgery is far more than improving appearance. While cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing aesthetics, reconstructive plastic surgery is dedicated to restoring form and function after injuries, burns, cancer, or congenital conditions.

Originally launched as National Plastic Surgery Day by the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) in 2011, the observance was adopted globally by international plastic surgery societies in 2021.

The theme for World Plastic Surgery Day 2026 is "Changing Lives with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery."

Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery Are Not the Same

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Deepak K. L. Gowda, Senior Consultant – Aesthetics, Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Surgery at SPARSH Hospital, said plastic surgery is a broad medical specialty, while cosmetic surgery is only one of its subspecialties.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to improve the appearance of otherwise healthy and functional body structures. Reconstructive plastic surgery, on the other hand, aims to restore appearance and function following injury, disease, cancer surgery, burns, or congenital defects.

According to Dr. Gowda, reconstructive procedures account for more than 75% of plastic surgery practice, while cosmetic procedures make up a comparatively smaller proportion. However, the growing popularity of aesthetic treatments has led many people to wrongly assume that plastic surgery is only about beauty enhancement.

Common Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic surgery is designed to enhance physical appearance in individuals whose body structures function normally. Some of the most commonly performed procedures include: breast augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), facelifts

and dermal fillers and more.

When Is Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Needed?

Reconstructive plastic surgery helps restore both appearance and function after illness, injury, or trauma. Common procedures include:

• Breast reconstruction after cancer surgery
• Burn reconstruction
• Cleft lip and palate correction
• Reconstruction of congenital limb abnormalities
• Hand surgery

Seven Questions To Ask Before A Cosmetic Procedure

Dr. Chintan Gujarati, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, told HealthandMe that cosmetic procedures can enhance appearance and boost confidence, but they should always be approached with careful planning and informed decision-making.

He recommended asking these seven questions before undergoing any cosmetic procedure:

1. Is the procedure right for me?

Discuss whether the treatment is suitable for your health, goals, and individual needs.

2. Is my surgeon qualified?

Ensure the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or a trained specialist with relevant experience.

3. What are the risks?

Understand possible complications, including infection, scarring, or the need for additional treatment.

4. What results can I realistically expect?

Cosmetic procedures can improve appearance, but they cannot guarantee perfection.

5. What is the recovery process?

Ask about downtime, pain management, activity restrictions, and when you can safely return to your routine.

6. What will the procedure cost?

Request a detailed breakdown covering consultation fees, hospital charges, medications, and follow-up visits to avoid unexpected expenses.

7. What if I am unhappy with the results?

Discuss revision policies and available corrective options before making a decision.

Making an Informed Decision

Experts emphasized that choosing to undergo a cosmetic procedure is a personal decision that should be based on realistic expectations, qualified medical advice, and a clear understanding of the benefits, risks, recovery process, and overall costs.

They also stress that plastic surgery extends well beyond aesthetics, with reconstructive surgery continuing to play a vital role in restoring both function and quality of life for patients affected by injury, disease, or congenital conditions.

A new study has found that muscle health may be just as important as body weight in determining a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, highlighting the need to look beyond the number on the scale.

The research, led by Curtin University in Australia found that people with both excess body fat and low muscle mass faced a significantly greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who had obesity alone. The findings said that building and preserving muscle mass could become key in diabetes prevention.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The researchers studied data from thousands of adults to examine how body composition shapes type 2 diabetes risk. Participants were grouped based on levels of body fat and muscle mass, allowing scientists to compare how different combinations affected the chances of developing the disease.

Individuals with both high body fat and poor muscle health were more prone to type 2 diabetes compared to people who were obese but maintained healthier muscle mass.

According to the researchers, the findings confirm that muscle tissue plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar because it is one of the body's primary sites for glucose storage and use.

"Most people know carrying excess weight can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but our findings show muscle health is also an important piece of the puzzle," said lead researcher Mr. Guan. "People with both excess body fat and low muscle mass had a substantially higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with obesity alone."

He added, "This suggests we need to look beyond the number on the scales when assessing diabetes risk, as maintaining muscle strength and muscle mass may be just as important as managing body weight."

Also read: Wegovy More Likely To Cause Rare Blindness Than Ozempic And Other Similar Drugs, Recent Study Finds

Importance Of Preserving Muscle Mass

The study also sheds light on sarcopenic obesity, a condition characterized by excess body fat combined with reduced muscle mass or muscle function. Researchers say this condition is often overlooked because many people appear to have only obesity, while declining muscle health remains undetected.

Experts believe the findings indicate that rather than relying solely on body mass index (BMI), experts must assess muscle mass and strength when identifying patients at high risk for diabetes. This can help prevent the disease early.

The research also supports current public health recommendations that say resistance training alongside aerobic exercise is crucial.

Strength training helps preserve and build muscle mass while improving insulin sensitivity, making it an important component of diabetes prevention. Combined with adequate protein intake and healthy weight management, maintaining muscle health may significantly reduce long-term metabolic risk.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body fails to utilize insulin. Frequently associated with obesity, a diet lacking in nutritious foods, and physical inactivity can lead to this diagnosis, It affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and continues to rise alongside increasing rates of obesity and physical inactivity.

In a global first, India's drug regulator has approved a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders, marking a significant milestone in cannabinoid-based medicine.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted regulatory approval to Zenara Pharma, the manufacturing partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals, to produce a synthetic cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/ml). The prescription-only therapy is intended to be used alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for managing mild to moderate anxiety disorders.

In a statement, Leiutis Pharmaceuticals said the approval follows a successful Phase III clinical trial conducted in India under CDSCO guidelines. A Phase IV post-marketing study will now be carried out to further evaluate the therapy.

World's First Fully Synthetic CBD Therapy

Leiutis noted that "this is the first regulatory approval anywhere in the world for a fully synthetic cannabidiol oral solution for anxiety disorders".

K. Chandrasekhar, CEO and Managing Partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals LLP, said the approval is the result of nearly a decade of cannabinoid research, including the development of a proprietary synthetic cannabinoid manufacturing process, novel drug-delivery technology, and extensive preclinical and clinical studies.

“Developed entirely in India and protected by patents in key markets, this approval is a significant milestone for our innovation pipeline, paving the way for next-generation cannabinoids. We thank the Government of India, clinical investigators, researchers and study participants who made it possible,” Chandrasekhar said.

What Is the New CBD Therapy?

The newly approved medicine contains a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), meaning no cannabis plant material is used in its production.

The therapy combines:

• A synthetic cannabidiol API developed by Biophore India Pharmaceuticals.
• Leiutis Pharmaceuticals' proprietary nanodispersible drug-delivery platform to improve absorption.
• Manufacturing by Zenara Pharma at facilities compliant with CDSCO, US FDA and European regulatory standards.

Biophore has also filed a United States Drug Master File (US DMF) for the synthetic CBD manufacturing process, reflecting internationally recognized quality standards.

Why This Approval Matters

The approval comes at a time when anxiety disorders are rising sharply in India. According to a recent analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet, anxiety disorders in India increased by 123.5% between 1990 and 2023.

The prevalence rose from 2,591.9 cases per lakh population in 1990 to 5,792.8 cases per lakh in 2023, driven largely by increasing rates of anxiety and depression.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it does not produce intoxicating effects.

CBD has been studied for several potential therapeutic uses, including:

• Reducing anxiety symptoms
• Relieving chronic pain
• Improving sleep
• Managing certain seizure disorders
• Reducing inflammation

The newly approved product, however, uses synthetic CBD, which is produced entirely in a laboratory rather than extracted from the cannabis plant. Synthetic CBD offers a highly consistent and contaminant-free formulation, helping standardize dosing and quality.

Does CBD Have Proven Medical Benefits?

CBD already has established medical use in certain seizure disorders in some countries and continues to be investigated for a range of other conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation and schizophrenia.

CBD is generally well-tolerated, but some users may experience mild side effects like drowsiness, reduced appetite, or diarrhea. Side effects are often due to interactions with other medications.