Does stress cause nose bleeding?

I am a 45-year-old man. I have realised that my nose bleeds every time I am stressed. In most cases, the bleeding will not stop until I go to hospital. Is stress the cause?
Joseph

Dear Joseph
Nose bleeding (epistaxis), happens when the small blood vessels inside the nose burst, releasing blood which then flows out of the nose. Much as the bleeding may be scary, it mostly comes from near the front of the nose (anterior nose bleeding) and here it is rarely dangerous to your health. Anterior nosebleeds are often caused by drying up of the inner nasal membrane due to dry weather, a fan, or even picking or blowing the nose hard.
This bleeding usually stops on its own but if prolonged or recurrent, it can indicate a more serious health problem such as high blood pressure or a blood clotting problem, which if not controlled can lead to anaemia.

High blood pressure itself does not cause nose bleeding but it can prolong it. Bleeding from the back of the nose can be more serious and can be associated with more serious disease conditions, including cancer in the nose, which can be difficult to stop. Stress and chronic anxiety can risk one chronic, recurrent, or unexpected nosebleeds, usually accompanied by headaches. Stress can cause one to keep picking or blowing the nose, risking nasal bleeding.
Some stressed people also take narcotics, which can also lead to bleeding. Drinking too much alcohol because of stress, can also risk one fights and falls all of which can damage the nose leading to nasal bleeding.

Though nasal bleeding usually stops on its own hence not requiring treatment, any prolonged or recurrent bleeding requires being checked by a doctor. The first aid for nasal bleeding is to sit upright, lean forward, apply pressure on the nose using the thumb and the longest finger for the next 10-15 minutes while breathing through the mouth.
Applying ice on the nose while holding it further helps stop nose bleeding.