Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is internal bleeding?
- How common is internal bleeding?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes internal bleeding?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for internal bleeding?
- Medicines & Medicines
- How is internal bleeding diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for internal bleeding?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat internal bleeding?
Definition
What is internal bleeding?
Internal bleeding is bleeding that occurs in tissues, organs, or body cavities including the head, spinal canal, chest, and abdomen. Examples of potential bleeding sites include the eyes and in the tissue lining the heart, muscles, and joints.
Because they occur in the body, internal bleeding is more difficult to identify than external bleeding that penetrates the skin. Internal bleeding may not appear for hours after starting, and symptoms only appear when there is significant blood loss or if the blood clot is large enough to put pressure on an organ and prevent it from functioning properly.
How common is internal bleeding?
According to recent surveys, the percentage of people who experience internal bleeding is increasing, mainly as a result of traffic accidents.
However, this can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding?
The symptoms of internal bleeding depend on where the bleeding is located, how much bleeding has occurred, and what structures and functions in the body are affected.
- Intracranial bleeding from trauma or from a leaky aneurysm often causes pain, but can also result in symptoms of altered mental function. Subarachnoid hemorrhage often causes headaches and neck stiffness.
- Intra-abdominal bleeding may be occult and present only painfully, but if there is sufficient blood loss, the patient may complain of weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and other symptoms of shock and a drop in blood pressure.
- Visible blood in the urine can be due to deep bleeding anywhere in the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the bladder. Bladder infections are often associated with blood in the urine, but other causes, including kidney and bladder cancer, need to be considered based on specific symptoms, patient age, and medical history.
When should I see a doctor?
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the worsening of internal bleeding and prevent other medical emergencies, so consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent this condition.
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always better to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.
Cause
What causes internal bleeding?
Bleeding most commonly occurs as a result of injury, and depending on the magnitude of the force required to cause bleeding can vary widely. Some people may experience spontaneous bleeding that is not always related to injury or trauma.
- Blunt trauma
Most people understand that falling from a height or being involved in a car accident can exert great force and trauma on the body. If a blunt force is involved, the outside of the body may not be damaged, but enough pressure can be placed on the internal organs to cause injury and bleeding.
- Deceleration trauma
Decelerations can cause organs in the body to shift in the body. This can pull the blood vessels away from the organs and cause bleeding to occur. Often, this is a mechanism of intracranial bleeding such as epidural and subdural haemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Fracture
Bleeding can occur in fractures. Bones contain marrow where blood is produced. Bones have a rich blood supply, and large amounts of blood can be lost as a result of fractures.
- Bleeding after surgery
Whenever the surgeon makes an incision in the body, there is the potential for immediate or delayed bleeding. When the operation is almost over, the surgeon tries to make sure that all bleeding has been controlled. This can be done by identifying and binding the blood vessels with sutures or using staples or clips to maintain hemostasis. Burning drugs can be used to burn blood vessels to prevent them from bleeding. Slight bleeding can be expected in most situations.
- Spontaneous bleeding
Internal bleeding can occur spontaneously, especially in people who are taking anticoagulation drugs or who have inherited bleeding disorders.
- Drugs
Internal bleeding in the digestive tract can occur as a result of drugs (most commonly from NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin) and alcohol.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for internal bleeding?
Factors that can increase your risk of internal bleeding include:
- driving unsafe
- engaging in activities that could result in trauma (for example, fighting)
- drinking too much alcohol
- using anticoagulation drugs
- have a history of blood clotting disorders
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is internal bleeding diagnosed?
Diagnosis of internal bleeding begins with a thorough history by a medical professional. This is followed by a physical examination, concentrating on areas of the body where internal bleeding may occur. Blood tests can be done to check for low red blood cell counts, or anemia. However, if bleeding occurs rapidly, the initial hemoglobin number or red blood cell count may be normal. The suspicion of internal bleeding will often require imaging tests to look for the source of bleeding such as CT-scan, or endoscopy, or colonoscopy, etc.
What are the treatments for internal bleeding?
The initial treatment plan for deep bleeding patients begins by assessing the patient's stability and ensuring that the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) is well maintained. This includes ensuring:
- the patient's airway is open
- the patient is breathing
- there is insufficient circulation, which means stable pulse rate and blood pressure
The exact treatment for internal bleeding depends on where the bleeding is, the individual circumstances, and the patient's stability. The basic objectives include identifying and stopping the source of bleeding and repairing any damage caused by bleeding.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat internal bleeding?
If there has been significant internal bleeding and the person appears to be in shock, emergency medical services should be called (telephone 118 or 119 if applicable). The person should lie flat with legs raised if possible. However, if the bleeding is caused by trauma, and there is a possible risk of neck or spinal injury, the individual should not be moved (in most cases) until they are evaluated by emergency personnel.
If the patient shows signs of stroke, emergency medical services should be contacted as it is difficult to determine whether the decline in brain function is due to bleeding in the brain or due to reduced blood supply due to blockage of blood vessels.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.
