Prolonged heat not only causes discomfort but can also affect health in many different ways. One of the quite common conditions in summer is sudden nosebleeds, even in completely healthy people.
Many people believe that nosebleeds are mainly related to nasal injuries. However, according to Dr. Manish Munjal, Director of Otolaryngology at Fortis Ludhiana Hospital (India), hot and dry weather may also be the cause of this phenomenon.
Dr. Munjal said that inside the nasal cavity there is a small network of blood vessels located near the surface of the mucous membrane, called the Kiesselbach puppet. When the temperature rises and the humidity in the air drops, the nasal mucosa is easily dried and irritated, making blood vessels more vulnerable. In these conditions, even a small impact such as wiping the nose, wiping the nose, or sneezing strongly can break the capillaries and cause bleeding.
In addition, hot weather also causes blood vessels to dilate to support the body in regulating body temperature. Increased blood flow in small blood vessels in the nose also increases the risk of bleeding if the mucous membrane is dry or damaged.
According to Dr. Munjal, most cases of nosebleeds due to hot weather are not serious and can be stopped by simple first aid measures. When suffering from nosebleeds, patients should sit up straight, slightly bend forward, and then use their fingers to gently squeeze the soft tissue of the nostrils for about 10 to 15 minutes. Tilting your head back is not recommended because it can cause blood to flow down your throat.
However, not all nosebleeds originate from the weather. According to medical experts, this condition may also be related to allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, displacement of the nasal septum, nasal injury, or the use of certain blood-thinning drugs.
People should see a doctor if blood does not stop flowing after about 15 minutes of first aid or nosebleeds recur many times a week. This may be a sign that the body is having health problems that need to be checked and treated.
To reduce the risk of nosebleeds in the summer, doctors recommend drinking enough water, limiting dehydration, and moisturizing the nasal mucosa with physiological saline when necessary. These simple measures can help protect the respiratory tract from the effects of prolonged hot weather.
