What should I do if I experience nosebleeds due to altitude sickness? Can nosebleeds heal on their own?
Disease description:
When traveling to Tibet, I experienced altitude sickness along with nosebleeds. What should I do about nosebleeds caused by altitude sickness? Can nosebleeds heal on their own?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Mingxuan
For nosebleeds caused by altitude sickness, hemostasis can be achieved through digital pressure or nasal packing; nosebleeds generally do not resolve spontaneously. Altitude-induced epistaxis commonly occurs under conditions of low oxygen at high altitudes and is typically due to rupture of microvessels in the mucosa of the anterior septal area. The most common method is using fingers and thumb to apply pressure on the patient's nostrils, compressing the capillaries to stop the bleeding. If there is heavy bleeding or if bleeding cannot be controlled promptly, medical treatment should be sought at a local otolaryngology (ENT) department.
