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If severe bleeding isn’t controlled quickly, it is possible for someone to lose a lot of blood, become unresponsive, and possibly develop shock. Shock is a life-threatening emergency condition, caused when the body doesn't have sufficient blood circulating to supply the vital organs with oxygen. Your priority is to stop the bleeding.
- Shock
severe internal or external bleeding; heart problems, such...
- Shock
- Overview
- What are the common causes of bleeding?
- When is bleeding a sign of an emergency?
- How is bleeding treated?
- What are the signs of a medical emergency?
- What are the consequences of untreated bleeding?
Bleeding, also called hemorrhage, is the name used to describe blood loss. It can refer to blood loss inside the body, called internal bleeding, or to blood loss outside of the body, called external bleeding.
Blood loss can occur in almost any area of the body. Internal bleeding occurs when blood leaks out through a damaged blood vessel or organ. External bleeding happens when blood exits through a break in the skin.
Blood loss from bleeding tissue can also be apparent when blood exits through a natural opening in the body, such as the:
•mouth
•vagina
•rectum
Traumatic bleeding
An injury can cause traumatic bleeding. Traumatic injuries vary in their severity. Common types of traumatic injury include: •abrasions (scrapes) that don’t penetrate too far below the skin •hematoma or bruises •lacerations (cuts) •puncture wounds from items like needles, nails, or knives •crushing injuries •gunshot wounds
Medical conditions
There are also some medical conditions that can cause bleeding. Bleeding due to a medical condition is less common than traumatic bleeding. Conditions that can cause bleeding include: •hemophilia •leukemia •liver disease •menorrhagia, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, like what’s sometimes seen in endometriosis •thrombocytopenia, low blood platelet count •von Willebrand disease •vitamin K deficiency •brain trauma •colon diverticulosis •lung cancer •acute bronchitis
Medicines
Some medicines and certain treatments can increase your chances of bleeding, or even cause bleeding. Your doctor will warn you about this when they first prescribe the therapy. And they’ll tell you what to do if bleeding occurs. Medications that may be responsible for bleeding include: •blood thinners •antibiotics, when used on a long-term basis •radiation therapy •aspirin and other NSAIDs
If bleeding is severe, seek help immediately. You should seek emergency help if you suspect internal bleeding. This can become life-threatening.
People who have bleeding disorders or take blood thinners should also seek emergency help to stop bleeding.
Seek medical help if:
•the person has gone into shock or has a fever
•the bleeding cannot be controlled using pressure
•the wound requires a tourniquet
A person can bleed to death in 5 minutes. Bystanders may be able to save a life before emergency personnel can arrive.
There is a national campaign called Stop the Bleed to teach anyone how to stop bleeding. People in mass casualty events have died from blood loss even when their wounds shouldn’t have been fatal.
You will need emergency medical care if:
•bleeding is caused by a serious injury
•bleeding can’t be controlled
•bleeding is internal
Paramedics will attempt to control the bleeding before rushing you to the hospital. In some cases, care might be given at home or while on a stretcher. The treatment required will depend on the cause of the bleeding.
In rare cases, surgery may be required to stop bleeding.
Traumatic bleeding
If an injury or accident causes bleeding, it may be stopped with local first aid. If it’s just a minor wound, it may heal without further care. More significant wounds may require sutures, medicated dressings, or corrective surgery.
Medical bleeding
If a medical condition causes bleeding, and the condition isn’t identified or diagnosed, the bleeding is likely to recur. Any bleeding that continues without medical treatment could be fatal. For example, if someone has acute bleeding in a short period of time and loses 30 percent or more of their blood volume, they could bleed to death very quickly and would require IV fluid and transfusion of packed red blood cells for resuscitation. Even medical conditions that cause slow blood loss over time can add up and cause major organ injury, possibly leading to death. Exsanguination, which is severe bleeding or bleeding to death, can occur without any visible external bleeding. Catastrophic internal hemorrhages can cause a great deal of blood loss, such as ruptured blood vessel aneurysms.
- Kati Blake
- Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) is a severe allergic reaction that can occur after an insect sting or eating certain foods. The adverse reaction can be very fast, occurring within seconds or minutes of coming into contact with the substance the person is allergic to (allergen).
- Bleeding heavily. If someone is bleeding heavily, the main aim is to prevent further blood loss and minimise the effects of shock. First, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible.
- Burns and scalds. If someone has a burn or scald: Cool the burn as quickly as possible with cool running water for at least 20 minutes, or until the pain is relieved.
- Chemical burns. For chemical burns, wear protective gloves, remove any affected clothing, and rinse the burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes to remove the chemical.
Aug 24, 2023 · Hemorrhage is a term for any type of bleeding, but it's most commonly associated with severe bleeding. External hemorrhages from a cut or wound can be minor or serious. Minor wounds may respond to pressure and stop bleeding, but steady, significant bleeding requires urgent medical attention.
- Nancy Lebrun
First aid steps for someone who is heavily bleeding. Step 1. Put pressure on the wound with whatever is available to stop or slow down the flow of blood. You are acting as a “plug” to stop the blood escaping. The pressure you apply will help the blood clot and stop the bleeding. Step 2. Call 999. Step 3. Keep pressure on the wound until ...
Oct 16, 2024 · By Mayo Clinic Staff. For severe bleeding, take these first-aid steps. Call 911 or your local emergency number if the wound is deep or you're not sure how serious it is. Don't move the injured person except if needed to avoid further injury. Before checking for the source of the wound, put on disposable gloves and other personal protective ...
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May 17, 2024 · Bleeding due to fractures or joint or muscle injuries usually causes bruising, sometimes severe. On the other hand, the skin may turn pale and tight when bleeding causes compartment syndrome. This is a painful condition caused by extreme pressure within muscle tissues. It may be hard to move joints or walk.
