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

Over one million Americans have contracted chronic hepatitis B and are now forced to go through a lifelong treatment process. Though these treatment only helps in terminating the virus, the risk of liver cancer stays on, and the constant fear and torment remain. Now, a new study of a drug trial for hepatitis B patients has given hope to millions.

The trial saw 1 in 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection getting cured. The 24-week test had 1,838 patients from 29 countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The research published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that 20% of patients got a functional cure, and no virus was detected in them after 48 hours.

The drug, bepirovirsen, is made by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline and can stop the virus from replicating itself while giving the immune system a chance to eradicate it. The treatment process will be done by administering an injection once a week. Notably, GlaxoSmithKline has already applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval to market the drug.

Though there was an option of vaccination to prevent the disease, still, millions are infected. This effective functional cure option will be a great addition to the treatment of hepatitis B.

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What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Many adults can clear the virus after an acute infection. Some, however, go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis, or permanent scarring of the liver.

Also Read: Study Finds Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Cardiovascular Risk In Childhood Cancer Survivors

How Is Hepatitis B Spread?

The hepatitis B virus is highly contagious. It spreads when blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from a person who carries the virus enter the body of someone who is not infected.

Certain medical conditions, personal habits, and other circumstances can raise the risk, such as injection drug use or sexual contact, but the virus can infect anyone. Hepatitis B can also pass from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, whether through a vaginal delivery or a C-section.

How Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?

Vaccination is the most reliable way to prevent hepatitis B. The shots offer strong protection in infancy and continue to shield individuals well into adulthood. Babies usually receive a three-dose series.

A healthy lifestyle is very crucial for any human being, but for cancer survivors, it's a must, as they tend to get various diseases, including cardiovascular ones. A recent study by the University of Gothenburg and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital also doubles down on this aspect. Their research reveals that a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors.

The study published in Nature Communications observed over 18,000 childhood cancer survivors for 30 days. The results clearly show that most of the chronic health problems among childhood cancer survivors revolve around lifestyle. Those with a habit of inactivity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake are likely to catch diseases.

Aron Onerup, Pediatrician and Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and former Postdoctoral Fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, said, "This reveals that lifestyle plays a much bigger role than previously thought. Unlike the treatments already given, the lifestyle can actually be changed."

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Another study published in JACC: CardioOncology with 2,300 cancer survivor participants finds that those who do not exercise regularly are 1.4 times more likely to contract a cardiovascular disease. The disease burden in childhood cancer survivors who do not exercise is twelve times more than that of the general population.

Aron Onerup, a Researcher within Pediatrics at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Specialist Physician at the Pediatric Cancer Center at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Gothenburg, said, "This means that physical activity can make a big difference in reducing the extra risk that emerges after cancer treatment and modify the negative effects from cancer treatments. Our results provide strong scientific support for offering survivors structured support for healthy lifestyles."

Also Read: Vitamin B12 And Folate Deficiencies Behind Chronic Fatigue, New Study Finds

Why Women Are More Likely To Develop Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one reason for death among women and men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistics show that about 44% women are living with heart diseases, and it is responsible for the death of 1 in 5 women.

There are many risk factors for heart diseases, like high blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed in women. While studies have shown that women are more likely to live longer, even with diseases, a recent report shared how women are also more likely to have cardiovascular diseases than men.

According to the study published in the American College of Cardiology, even though women often try to live healthier, if they have issues like bad food habits or high blood pressure, their risk of heart disease goes up much more than it does for men.

Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, DNA production, and nerve function. Deficiency is more common in vegans, vegetarians, and pregnant individuals. In such cases, supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate levels. Vitamin B9, commonly known as folate, is also very important for DNA synthesis, production of red blood cells, and cell growth.

A recent study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals an important aspect of these two nutrients: their deficiency is directly connected with chronic fatigue. The study published in the journal Nutrient urges for a proper diet and ensuring that all necessary nutrients are present for health and energy levels.

The researchers studied over 600 healthy adults to determine whether vitamin deficiency can cause fatigue. They mainly focused on B12 and B9 because these two nutrients are crucial to maintain a natural amino acid called homocysteine in the human body. The research finds that the deficiency of these two nutrients causes an increase in homocysteine in the body, which may be connected to fatigue and low motivation.

Notably, these deficiencies can impact you differently because of your gender, as the study found that the low level of these nutrients affects men mostly with fatigue, while women feel low motivation.

Professor Hiroaki Kanouchi from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology said, "This suggested relationship between vitamin B12, folate, and fatigue in healthy individuals may represent the first report of its kind."

Also Read: Feeling Tired And Foggy? It Could Be Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Why Does B12 Deficiency Happen?

Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. People who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may need fortified foods or supplements to get enough.

Absorption is also a key factor. Vitamin B12 requires a special protein in the stomach called intrinsic factor to be absorbed properly. Certain medical conditions, medications, or aging can reduce absorption. This means that even if someone eats enough B12, their body may not absorb it efficiently.

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Why Does B9 Deficiency Happen?

Folate is naturally found in foods like leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, lentils, beans, and whole grains, and a diet low in these can cause deficiency. Though in some cases, certain medical conditions can also be the reason for the problem.

When To See A Doctor?

If you experience ongoing fatigue, tingling sensations, or noticeable changes in memory or mood, consult a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can measure your B12 or B9 levels.

Both deficiencies are usually treatable. Treatment may include dietary changes, oral supplements, or, in more severe cases, injections. When identified early, most people recover well.