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

If flu symptoms such as fever, chills, coughing, a sore throat or a pounding headache start to creep in, many people assume the best option is to stay in bed and let it pass.

But even if you have managed the flu on your own in the past, this time it may be worth calling your doctor. That’s because antiviral flu medicines, including Tamiflu, can sometimes make a real difference.

Certain prescription drugs can shorten how long the flu lasts and lower the risk of serious complications, but timing is critical. Here’s how to work out whether flu antivirals could help you or someone close to you.

What Are Flu Antivirals?

Flu antivirals are prescription medicines designed to help the body fight off the influenza virus. “They work by stopping the flu virus from multiplying and spreading through the body. Influenza is the virus that causes the flu,” explained Deon Pilkington, PharmD, a clinical pharmacy coordinator as per Banner Health.

These medications do not cure the flu, but they may:

• Reduce how long symptoms last
• Lessen the intensity of illness
• Lower the risk of complications such as pneumonia or hospital admission
• Common flu antivirals taken by mouth include:
• Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
• Relenza (zanamivir)
• Xofluza (baloxavir)
• Another option, Rapivab (peramivir), is given through an intravenous (IV) infusion.

All flu antivirals require a prescription and are most effective when started within the first one to two days after symptoms appear. That’s why reaching out to a healthcare provider early can matter.

Antibiotics should not be used to treat the flu. “Because influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help,” said Mallory Yan, PharmD, a pharmacist with Banner Health.

Who Is Most Likely To Benefit From Flu Antivirals?

Not everyone who gets the flu needs prescription treatment. “These medications are generally reserved for people who have confirmed flu and are at higher risk for complications,” Dr. Pilkington said.

You should contact a doctor promptly if you or someone you care for falls into one of these categories:

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Children under 5, especially those younger than 2
• Pregnant women or those who have recently given birth
• People with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems
• Residents of nursing homes, group homes or long-term care facilities
• Anyone whose symptoms are severe or worsening

Even healthy individuals may be prescribed antivirals if they live with someone at high risk. Limiting the spread of flu in households where complications could be serious is important.

When Should You Call Your Doctor?

If you are at higher risk, it’s best to contact your doctor as soon as flu symptoms begin. Starting treatment within 48 hours offers the greatest benefit.

Warning signs may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Fever that does not improve with over-the-counter medication
• Chills
• Body aches
• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Signs of dehydration, such as reduced urination or a dry mouth

If you test positive for flu or feel seriously unwell, do not delay. Beginning antiviral treatment within the first two days gives you the best chance of recovering faster and avoiding complications.

Early Action Makes A Difference

If you’re wondering, “Do I need Tamiflu?” remember that flu antivirals are most helpful when taken early, ideally within the first day or two after symptoms begin. Acting quickly can change how the illness unfolds.

Symptoms such as constant exhaustion, mental fog, and occasional tingling in the hands or feet are often dismissed as stress or simply getting older. However, these signs can point to underlying nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, iron, and folate (vitamin B9). These nutrients play a crucial role in brain health, nerve function, and carrying oxygen around the body.

Lack Of This Vitamin Deficiency Can Lead To Exhaustion

When ignored, these symptoms can quietly worsen. They are often your body’s way of signalling problems with nerve health, oxygen supply, and overall energy levels, which can make even simple daily activities feel harder than they should. According to the Daily Mail, around 15 per cent of people aged 15 to 29, and about 20 per cent of those over 60, have vitamin levels that are not low enough to be classed as a deficiency but are still insufficient to cause noticeable symptoms.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 allows the brain to transmit signals properly and helps protect the nerves. When levels drop, people may notice memory lapses, poor concentration, or balance problems. In older adults, this can raise the risk of falls. Some individuals sit in a borderline range, where levels are not low enough to be diagnosed as deficient but are still enough to cause symptoms.

Certain people face a higher risk. Vegans are vulnerable because B12 is found mainly in animal products such as milk, meat, eggs, and fish. As people age, their ability to absorb B12 often declines due to lower stomach acid. Long-term use of acid-suppressing drugs, including proton pump inhibitors, can further reduce absorption, meaning supplements or injections may be needed.

Iron Is Important

Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body. When iron levels are low, oxygen transport is reduced, and tissues with high energy needs, such as the brain and nerves, are affected first. This can lead to dizziness, weakness, and cold hands and feet.

Iron works closely with folate and vitamin B12 to support red blood cell production. A shortage of any one of these nutrients can limit how well oxygen is delivered, making tasks like climbing stairs or keeping warm feel far more draining. In the UK, iron deficiency affects around 3 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women.

Folate

Folate is important for cell development and the production of red blood cells. Levels have been falling in recent years, with teenagers showing particularly high rates of deficiency. Women of reproductive age are especially at risk, as low folate levels early in pregnancy can raise the chance of neural tube defects.

To address this, the UK government plans to add folic acid to white flour by the end of 2026, covering common foods such as bread and baked goods. Folate can also be found naturally in leafy green vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits.

Blood tests are the most reliable way to confirm whether a deficiency is present. Iron levels can be difficult to correct through diet alone because the body tightly controls absorption, so supplements are often needed, particularly for people with heavy periods or digestive problems. Folate deficiency is usually easier to correct with dietary changes or supplements.

Boosting vitamin B12 depends on the cause. Vegans often need supplements, while older adults or people taking acid-reducing medication long term may need higher doses or injections.

Leaving deficiencies untreated can allow symptoms to linger and, in some cases, lead to lasting nerve damage. The positive news is that once a deficiency is identified and treated, many people begin to feel better within weeks. Energy, focus, and overall well-being often return quickly, bringing noticeable improvements to everyday life.

President Donald Trump has said he takes a daily aspirin dose that is higher than what his doctors advise and has done so for the past 25 years. He made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal, published on Thursday.

“They tell me aspirin helps thin the blood, and I don’t want thick blood moving through my heart,” Trump, 79, told the newspaper. “I want thin blood flowing through my heart. That sounds right, doesn’t it?”

The president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin every day, which equals one standard adult over-the-counter tablet. This amount is four times higher than the commonly recommended 81 milligram low-dose aspirin often used to help prevent heart disease.

Can Taking Too Much Aspirin Really Cause Hand Bruises?

As per NPR News, since 2022, the US Preventive Services Task Force, the country’s leading panel on disease prevention, has advised that adults over 60 should not begin taking daily aspirin to prevent heart disease if they do not already have an underlying condition. The panel also said it is reasonable for people who are already on preventive aspirin to consider stopping around the age of 75.

What Is Aspirin, And What Is It Used For?

Aspirin belongs to the same group of drugs as ibuprofen and naproxen. At low doses, it reduces the production of a substance that helps blood clots form. The medication is widely used to treat headaches and other pain in adults. It is also taken preventively, as Trump does, by roughly one in seven older Americans.

Ideal Dose For Aspirin

Specialists generally recommend 81 milligrams of aspirin per day for people who need it to lower their risk of heart disease. This dose was once referred to as “baby aspirin,” though aspirin is no longer advised for regular use in children. Doctors favor the lower dose rather than Trump’s 325 milligrams because studies show there is no added benefit from taking more. A large study published in 2021 supported this conclusion.

“There is some evidence that if someone has already tolerated 325 milligrams for years, the extra risk compared to 81 milligrams is probably quite small,” says Dr Eleanor Levin, a preventive cardiologist at Stanford Medicine. “But the higher dose really isn’t necessary.”

Some people are advised to stay on low-dose aspirin for life, regardless of age. This includes patients who have had bypass surgery or a heart attack. Levin also recommends aspirin for certain people with silent coronary artery disease, where arteries are narrowed without obvious symptoms.

Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July. A memo released by the White House in December stated that his cardiovascular system remains in “excellent health.”

Common Side Effects Of Aspirin

Although aspirin is considered safer than many other blood thinners, it still raises the risk of bleeding in the stomach and brain, even at low doses. These complications are uncommon and rarely fatal.

The risk of bleeding increases with age, and alcohol can raise it further. Aspirin can also cause milder bleeding issues, such as easy bruising or small cuts. Trump has experienced both, and his doctor linked these symptoms to aspirin use, according to a White House memo released in July. Levin says this is not unusual or alarming.

“This actually shows the drug is doing what it’s supposed to do,” Levin says. “As people reach their late 70s and 80s, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Patients often come in with bruises on their arms and don’t recall bumping into anything.”

During the Journal interview, Trump also addressed questions about his hearing and sleep, which he largely brushed off. While hearing loss becomes more common with age, aspirin can sometimes cause ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. Its effect on sleep is less clear.

Is Taking Aspirin Dangerous?

Levin says Trump’s long-term use of a higher aspirin dose is unlikely to be life-threatening, though she does not advise most patients to take more than recommended. She explains that doses above 2,400 milligrams, once used to treat arthritis, are considered high-dose aspirin and carry much greater risks.

“I’m sure his doctors have told him that,” Levin says. “There’s no need to panic.” She says her own approach is different. “We talk through the risks and benefits. We look at the evidence and the research, and my patients follow that guidance.”