Fish oils are a popular dietary supplement taken by many Americans for heart-health benefits. Fish oil regulates heart rhythms, decreases cholesterol, slightly lowers blood pressure and prevents heart attack. Additional benefits require more research, but many people use fish oil to treat arthritis, osteoporosis, ADHD as well as other conditions. A common side effect of fish oil is bleeding because fish oil is a natural blood thinner. Though nosebleeds are a common occurrence, suffering from frequent bouts of the condition may be a sign that it is time to stop taking fish oil.
Cause
Fish oil is a natural blood thinner, also known as an anticoagulant. The fatty essential acids in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, also known as EPA and DHA. Both decrease the time blood forms clots. Risk of bleeding is not severe if taking lower doses. The recommended daily dose is 3 g, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
If you are suffering from a nose bleed, gently pinch your nose shut and apply pressure. Do not lay down; stay upright. If the bleeding continues, apply ice to the area. Continue to breathe through your mouth and not your nose. Hold the pressure for about 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, lie down or slightly tilt your head back, advises AskDr.Sears.com. Contact your doctor if you get a lot of nosebleeds. Additional signs that fish oil is causing increased bleeding complications are bruising of the skin and blood in your urine.
Warnings
Nosebleeds may be a warning sign that you are at risk of more harmful bleeding effects. If you get nosebleeds on a continuous basis, contact your medical professional to discuss if fish oil is the right supplement for you. More severe side effects include bleeding of the brain, also known as a hemorrhagic stroke. Blood vessels in the brain may burst and death may even occur.
Additional Side Effects
Besides increased bleeding, fish oil may also cause additional belching and burping to occur. The increased belching can give off a fishy odor. Freeze capsules and take prior to eating meals or snacks to buffer the fishy odor. Patients who suffer from severe angina, irregular heart rhythms and have a defibrillator in place may want to avoid fish oil supplements. According to Harvard Medical School, fish oil supplements may actually make conditions worse when a patient has severe heart disease.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega -3 Fatty Acids
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- Harvard Medical School: Fish and fish oil: Good for most folks, but not all
- ConsumerLab.com: Report on Vitamin & Supplement Users Published, Including Brands and Merchants Top-rated for Consumer Satisfaction
- AskDr.Sears.com: Nosebleeds
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