The HCG diet has many potential risks and side effects, including some that are extremely serious; this is why the Food and Drug Administration recommends avoiding HCG weight-loss products, according to the Mayo Clinic. A nosebleed is not a particularly common side effect of the HCG diet, but it can occur in some cases.
HCG Diet
The HCG diet was originally developed in the 1950s with the goal of helping people lose significant amounts of weight very quickly. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin; it is a hormone produced by pregnant women in early pregnancy. The HCG diet advocates very low calorie intake, usually less than 800 calories per day, along with HCG supplementation to achieve weight loss goals.
HCG and Nosebleeds
HCG is usually administered either through injections, drops or through a nasal spray. Taking it as a nasal spray can occasionally cause nosebleeds, especially in people who are already sensitive to nosebleeds. Even YourHCG, a primary promoter of HCG diet programs, warns about the potential for nosebleeds in individuals who use the nasal spray.
Treating Nosebleeds
If you do get a nosebleed, pinch your nostrils together to close them, and breath through your mouth instead. Lean forward to prevent any blood from running down your throat, then wait about 10 minutes for the bleeding to stop. You can also apply ice to the bridge of your nose to help stop the bleeding. Do not place gauze inside your nostrils, according to Medline Plus; and avoid blowing your nose or breathing vigorously through your nostrils for a few hours after your nosebleed.
Other HCG Diet Risks
Although nosebleeds may occasional appear in individuals who are on the HCG diet, they are a relatively minor symptom compared to the diet's other risks. The extreme calorie restriction and unapproved HCG intake are both potentially harmful, and can lead to heart rhythm disruption, nerve and muscle disorders, and gallstones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although losing excess weight is a worthy goal, the HCG diet is a very unsafe way to reach it.
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