If you feel weak after having a nosebleed, there could be a number of different causes, some more worrisome than others:
Anemia
Regular and heavy nosebleeds could lead to anemia, which occurs when your body doesn't produce enough red blood cells. It's rare, but anemia can certainly leave you feeling tired and drained.
Anemia may also present with a number of other symptoms, including pale skin, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, cold hands and feet, frequent headaches, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.
There are many causes and risk factors associated with anemia and your healthcare provider will assess all of these when making a diagnosis. Some of the most common treatments include iron, folate, vitamin C, and B vitamin supplements.
A Sinus Infection
Frequent nosebleeds could be a sign of a sinus infection, another potential cause of tiredness.
Any infection can leave you feeling weak and drained. Your body works overtime, you don't feel like yourself, and you just want to sit on the couch or lie in bed all day.
Of course, if you have a sinus infection or other infection, there will be other symptoms present, including coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. What's more, it's unlikely that the tiredness will only occur after a nosebleed and it's probably something you’ll feel throughout the day.
Panic and Adrenaline
If you're not used to nosebleeds, they can be a little scary. The panic caused by blood loss could spike your adrenaline and when that drops, you may feel drained.
This is especially true if you're an anxious person and are prone to panic attacks.
Trauma
If your nosebleed was the result of a punch, fall, car accident, or other factors involving direct contact, the tiredness could indicate a concussion or another serious issue.
Such incidents should not be ignored or underplayed. If you feel tired, dizzy, and generally unwell following head trauma (with or without nosebleeds), you should pay a visit to the emergency room. The sooner you get medical attention, the better.
Blood Loss
Generally speaking, you don't lose a lot of blood when you have a nosebleed. However, there are exceptions.
The first concerns the type of nosebleed that you experience.
There are two main types: a posterior nosebleed and an anterior nosebleed.
Anterior nosebleeds are the most common and occur in the front of the nose. They are triggered by everything from dry air and vigorous nose blowing to a carelessly placed index finger. The blood flows out (presuming you lean forward) and there is typically very little blood loss.
Posterior nosebleeds occur at the back of the nasal cavity and are typically much heavier and more serious.
These issues can be heightened by a combination of preexisting illnesses (such as high blood pressure and blood clotting disorders) and medications (such as blood-thinning drugs like Aspirin).
If you have a posterior nosebleed and you have one of these health conditions or take blood-thinning medications, you may experience enough blood loss to leave you tired.
If you are in this high-risk group, take extra care to protect against nosebleeds (use a saline nasal spray, avoid picking your nose) and seek medical attention if they get out of hand.
You can speak to your doctor about procedures and techniques designed to prevent nosebleeds. It may also help to keep some Nampons on standby in case of an emergency.
Should I Rest After A Nosebleed?
You should definitely rest after a nosebleed, as strenuous activity can cause a reoccurrence. It's important to take it easy and not strain yourself too much.
However, it's not always a good idea to go to sleep.
If you've only just had a nosebleed and are not sure whether the bleeding has stopped, lying down could cause you to swallow blood and that may irritate your stomach.
Sit down, relax, and don't strain yourself. When the blood has definitely stopped flowing and some time has passed, you’ll be safe to lie down and sleep.
Of course, if the nosebleed was a result of trauma or there are other symptoms present, seek medical care before calling it a day.
What Should You Not Do After A Nosebleed?
As noted above, you should refrain from lying flat and going to sleep during or immediately after a nosebleed.
Other things you should avoid include:
- Picking Your Nose: The most common cause of nosebleeds and one that often triggers repeat bleeds. Your fingers can damage the blood vessels in your nose and remove the blood clots that have formed.
- Vigorous Nose Blowing: If you blow your nose with force, you’ll blast all of those clots away and start the bleed again.
- Don't Use Foreign Objects: Placing foreign objects such as cotton swabs in your nose could irritate the nasal lining.
- Strenuous Activity: The strain of activity could trigger a nosebleed, so keep to light activities for up to 48 hours after a nosebleed.
- Bending Over for Long Periods: Bending over causes strain. You should be safe to bend down and pick something up, but avoid bending over for long periods.
- Take a Hot Shower or Bath: The steam from a hot shower or bath can cause the blood vessels to dilate and may loosen the blood clot.
- Eating Spicy Food: Hot and spicy food can cause your blood vessels to dilate and are best avoided on the day you experience a nosebleed.
Summary: Is It Normal To Be Tired After A Nosebleed?
If you suffer from this issue on a regular basis, consult with your doctor and they can perform the necessary checks to see if there is anything to worry about.
Fatigue following nosebleeds isn't always a major cause for alarm, but it could indicate a more serious problem and it's worth getting checked out. The same is true for frequent nosebleeds and heavy nosebleeds.
It's always better to err on the side of caution and visit your doctor!
