Is it possible to die from a nosebleed

Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. How Can I Stop a Nosebleed? Try these simple tips to stop a nosebleed: Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood. Sit up or stand. Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 minutes of steady pressure.

Don't stop applying pressure to keep checking if the bleeding has stopped. Now that your nosebleed is over, let's take a look at what a nosebleed is and what can cause it. Different Kinds of Nosebleeds The most common kind of nosebleed is an anterior nosebleed , which comes from the front of the nose. What Causes Nosebleeds? Can I Prevent Nosebleeds?

When you blow your nose especially when you have a cold , do so gently into a soft tissue. Don't blow forcefully or pick your nose. Your doctor may recommend a cool-mist humidifier to moisten your indoor air.

Keep the inside of your nose moist with saline saltwater nasal spray or gel, or dab petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils. Wear protective athletic equipment when playing sports that could cause injury to the nose. Excessive blood loss can make a bloody nose an emergency. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to judge how much blood you've lost.

A few tablespoons can look like a lot. If you are gushing blood, call If pinching does not stop the dripping, use a container to catch the blood. A measuring cup is ideal because it will help a medical professional know how much blood you've lost. Blood loss is most concerning if you have a history of blood diseases such as hemophilia or anemia. When you are anemic, you don't have enough red blood cells.

Prolonged nosebleeds are also a concern if you are taking medications that thin the blood, such as:. Rapid blood loss can cause anemia, which is a lack of red blood cell volume. Symptoms include:. Trauma, especially a blow to the head, can make a bloody nose an emergency. Minor bumps or falls that cause a bloody nose are probably not serious. Major incidents like falling down stairs, sports accidents, and fights can cause a bloody nose that becomes a medical emergency.

A severe injury to the nose may swell and make breathing difficult. You may have a broken nose , a concussion brain injury , or a spinal cord injury. It is always best to seek emergency medical care after a major accident. A bloody nose that is caused by high blood pressure is an emergency.

These nosebleeds happen without any particular trigger. If you get a nosebleed and you have a history of high blood pressure , contact your healthcare provider. This is especially important if you also have a headache, chest pain, or faintness. Bloody noses towards the front of the nose are usually less severe. These bleeds can usually be stopped with pressure. If you can taste blood, you may have a posterior bleed. A posterior nosebleed comes from the back of the nose. Posterior nosebleeds are often more severe.

They cannot be stopped by pinching your nostrils. They also tend to be from major blood vessels. Seek emergency care at once of you have this type of nosebleed. Bloody noses are usually not serious. Most can be stopped if you lean forward and gently pinch your nostrils. In some cases, a bloody nose can be an emergency. The exact amount depends on your size, age, and general health. It helps to think of loss in percentages instead of total amounts.

Adult men, on average, have more blood than most adult women. This means they can typically lose a little more before experiencing adverse effects. Children, on the other hand, have much less blood than adults, so even small blood losses could affect a child negatively.

But sustaining an injury or undergoing surgery may cause severe bleeding and require a red blood cell transfusion. Read on to learn how much blood is lost in situations like these and how much you can lose before nausea, fainting, or other complications occur. Most adults can lose up to 14 percent of their blood without experiencing any major side effects or changes in vital signs.

Some, however, may feel lightheaded or dizzy if this amount is lost quickly. This amount of loss increases your heart and respiratory rates. Your urine output and blood pressure will be decreased.

You may feel anxious or uneasy. Your body starts to compensate for blood loss by constricting the blood vessels in your limbs and extremities.

This subsequently lowers the amount of blood your heart pumps outside the center of your body. Your skin may become cooler and pale. When blood loss nears 30 to 40 percent of total blood volume, your body will have a traumatic reaction. Your blood pressure will drop down even further, and your heart rate will further increase. You may show signs of obvious confusion or disorientation. Your breathing will be more rapid and shallow. As the volume loss climbs, your body may not be able to maintain circulation and adequate blood pressure.

At this point, you may pass out. Your symptoms will become more severe as the blood loss increases. Your organs may begin to fail without adequate blood and fluid. Your body can compensate for a good deal of blood loss. However, at a certain point, it shuts down unnecessary components in order to protect your heart.

If close to death, these feelings may not even be noticed. The average hemoglobin level is between However, hemoglobin level is important for making a red blood cell transfusion decision. Volume blood loss greater than 40 percent may be difficult for doctors to correct with a transfusion.

Your doctor will take several factors into account when deciding if a transfusion is right for you.