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

An old idea deserves a second look: caring for others may be one of the most powerful ways to care for ourselves.

In traditional Indian homes, we were taught to care for and share with those around us: neighbours, the staff who worked for us, and the wider community we lived in. This was never thought of as charity. It was an everyday part of life, and it carried great value. The community was almost an extension of oneself and one's family.

The idea that the world is one family is not alien to India. The ancient Sanskrit concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam captures it. Over time, as modern life moved faster, this belief slowly faded and self-care took priority. Today, self-care has become almost a global movement, full of advice on exercise, mindfulness, nutrition and stress reduction. Caring and sharing changed form and became "helping others". That was a welcome shift, because it still nudged us beyond our own wellbeing to do good for someone else.

Science Meets Ancient Wisdom

Remarkably, modern science is now bringing us full circle. A growing body of research confirms what philosophers, spiritual traditions and humanitarian organisations have long understood: when we serve others, we nourish ourselves.

The claim that helping others is the ultimate act of self-care may sound paradoxical.

Psychologists call it the "altruistic paradox". Altruism, the selfless concern for the welfare of others, appears at first glance to mean giving away our time, energy and resources. Yet people who volunteer, care, mentor, teach or serve their communities often receive a great deal in return. The rewards are not material. They are better mental, emotional, social and even physical health.

Studies in public health and psychology consistently link volunteering with greater happiness, stronger social connections, a stronger sense of purpose, lower levels of depression and higher life satisfaction. Some longitudinal studies even suggest that regular volunteering is associated with better physical functioning and lower mortality.

Also read: Heatwaves, Noise & Air Pollution Can Harm Mental Health Too: New Global Commission Warns

Why Does It Work?

Part of the answer lies in biology. Acts of kindness stimulate the release of "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. This effect is often called the "helper's high".

Helping others also reduces loneliness and builds a sense of belonging, one of our deepest human needs. People who engage in meaningful service tend to report greater optimism, a clearer sense of purpose and more resilience in difficult times.

The benefits are especially significant in later life. Older adults who volunteer regularly report better emotional wellbeing, stronger social ties and less isolation. Retirement can leave a gap in identity and purpose, and service can fill that space with meaning and connection. Altruistic motivation itself seems to amplify these effects.

Also read: 'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID

Service Above Self

Long before science confirmed these findings, humanitarian organisations built their philosophy around this truth. One of the finest examples are volunteer organisations like Rotary International, whose principal motto, "Service Above Self", has inspired generations of volunteers across the world. The motto expresses a simple belief: personal fulfilment and social progress are deeply connected.

Through projects that deliver safe drinking water, promote education, fight disease, build peace, protect the environment and support emotional health, Rotary members enrich societies every day. Behind these efforts are countless hours of selfless work that nurture human bonds, empathy and optimism.

A Remedy for Modern Times

Many of us are struggling with isolation, anxiety and constant tension. Active service is a powerful remedy. Whether we are tutoring a child, comforting an elderly neighbour, supporting someone's mental wellbeing, planting trees or guiding young people, these acts are much more than simple help. They are investments in shared and personal vitality.

Real self-care needs both inward reflection and outward engagement. Lifting those around us also lifts our own spirit. Dedicating ourselves to others gives us meaning, deepens our social ties and anchors us in a larger human family.

Ancient spiritual traditions and contemporary science arrive at the same insight: supporting others does not distract us from our own fulfilment. It is the most reliable foundation for it.

In an age of division, the quiet grace of helping someone else is a profound source of restoration, for our communities and for ourselves.

Lemon water may help reduce the risk of certain types of kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, but it is not a guaranteed preventive remedy. Lemons contain citrate, a naturally occurring substance that can bind with calcium in urine and help inhibit the formation and growth of some kidney stones.

Drinking lemon water can also support prevention by encouraging greater fluid intake. Adequate hydration increases urine volume, diluting substances such as calcium and oxalate that can crystallise and form stones. However, the benefit depends on the amount consumed, individual urinary chemistry and the type of stone a person is prone to developing.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Common symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain in the back or flanks that may radiate to the groin, pain while urinating, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting. Some small stones may pass without causing noticeable symptoms, while larger stones can obstruct the urinary tract and cause significant pain.

If kidney stone symptoms occur alongside fever, chills or difficulty passing urine, seek urgent medical attention. These symptoms may indicate an obstruction or infection that requires prompt treatment. A healthcare professional may recommend urine tests, blood tests or imaging to determine the stone's size and location.

How Much Lemon Water Should You Drink?

Also read: Recurring UTIs In West Bengal Toddler Reveal Rare Metabolic Disorder - Cystinuria; Here's What Parents Should Know

It is important to understand that lemon water is not a substitute for medical treatment or personalised dietary advice. Adding lemon to water without excessive sugar and salt is a practical option, but commercially prepared lemon drinks may contain added sugar, which is best limited. Lemon water may also aggravate acidity or heartburn in some individuals.

There is no universally established amount of lemon water that guarantees kidney stone prevention. The priority is to drink enough fluids to maintain adequate urine output, with individual requirements varying according to climate, physical activity and medical conditions. People who have been advised to restrict fluids because of kidney or heart conditions should follow their healthcare professional's recommendations rather than increasing their intake independently.

Who Should Take Extra Precautions?

People with a history of recurrent kidney stones should consult a healthcare professional to identify the stone type and understand their specific risk factors. Depending on the findings, they may need tailored fluid intake, dietary modifications or medication. A 24-hour urine test may also help identify substances that contribute to stone formation and guide preventive measures.

Adequate water intake remains the cornerstone of kidney stone prevention, while lemon water can be a useful addition to a balanced hydration routine. However, its effectiveness varies from person to person, and those at high risk of recurrence may need more targeted preventive strategies.

Inputs by Dr. Anupam Roy, Additional Director - Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka

A 43-year-old mother from Northern Ireland got diagnosed with an exceptionally rare cancer after months of pain, continual bleeding and abdominal swelling. She said that these symptoms were initially and inaccurately attributed to perimenopause, anxiety and constipation.

Nicola Crymble’s symptoms started in 2024 after she had a copper intrauterine device (IUD) inserted. The bleeding and pain became so severe that she had the device removed while she was in Kenya doing mission work. “I was constantly bleeding, there was so much pain,” Crymble said.

However, her symptoms persisted even after she returned home. She said doctors initially suggested that perimenopause and anxiety could explain what she was experiencing.

By December 2024, Crymble had noticed a lump in her abdomen. It continued to grow, making everyday activities challenging. She said people even thought she was pregnant because of the swelling. She eventually went to hospital and underwent scans, which revealed a mass near her cervix. Doctors initially thought it might be a cyst.

Crymble Got Diagnosed With FATWO, A Rare Cancer

Also read: Dr Rachna Shroff: Indian-American Cancer Researcher Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into Advocacy

Crymble underwent major surgery in February 2025 to remove the tumour. She also chose to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed during the procedure. A month later, she received the diagnosis that she had female adnexal tumour of probable Wolffian origin, commonly known as FATWO.

The tumour is believed to develop from remnants of the Wolffian duct, an embryonic structure involved in the development of the reproductive and urinary systems. Although these structures usually regress during female development, residual tissue can sometimes pave the way for tumour growth.

FATWO is an exceptionally rare form of cancer. There are only around 150 documented cases recorded worldwide. While many FATWO tumours do not metastatize, some can behave aggressively. In Crymble’s case, the cancer later spread to her liver and vaginal vault, the upper part of the vaginal canal.

She experienced intense pain beneath her ribs before a scan revealed that the cancer had spread. Further surgery was ruled out because the tumour growths were too close to other organs.

Chemotherapy As Surgery Was Not An Option

With surgery no longer an option, Crymble and her doctors decided to proceed with chemotherapy. She began treatment on October 13, 2026, and is expected to undergo six rounds, one every three weeks.

The family is also looking for specialist advice because there is limited information available about the rare disease and the best way to treat it. Her husband, Andrew Crymble, said doctors had little experience with the condition.

“They've never seen it before, they don't know how to treat it,” he said, explaining why the family decided to share her story publicly. They hope it will reach researchers or doctors who may have more information about FATWO.

Crymble has stopped working and has found it difficult to maintain her usual family routines while undergoing treatment. The family is also seeking financial support after discovering that their life insurance coverage will not cover the treatment.

Also read: Amgen & AstraZeneca's New Treatment Combination Cuts Advanced Lung Cancer Death Risk By 58% In Trial

Symptoms That Warrant Immediate Attention

Perimenopause can cause changes in menstrual patterns, like irregular periods. But unexplained bleeding, stubborn abdominal pain, lump or unusual swelling should not automatically be attributed to hormonal changes without seeking medical intervention.

These symptoms can occur due to many causes, and they do not necessarily indicate cancer. But worsening or unusual symptoms demand medical assessment, especially when they do not improve or when new symptoms develop.