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A hemorrhage refers to bleeding caused by a damaged blood vessel, which can occur either inside or outside the body. It can take different forms based on the mechanism or anatomic location. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable deaths, particularly among the acute trauma population. Therefore, it should be identified and treated immediately.
The location of the bleeding and the intensity of your symptoms will determine your exact course of treatment. Minor bleeding can generally be treated with basic first aid steps. However, more serious bleeding necessitates medical intervention and treatment, including blood transfusions or surgery. So, read on to learn about some key first-aid strategies for severe bleeding management.
Hemorrhages are medical conditions that develop when blood escapes from broken blood vessels. It can refer to either internal bleeding or external bleeding. Blood loss can happen in almost any part of the body. Internal bleeding happens when blood leaks from a damaged blood artery, venous or capillary. External bleeding occurs when blood leaks through a crack in the skin. Among the many forms of hemorrhage, hemorrhagic shock is the most serious form of hemorrhage, which can quickly become lethal.
The classification of hemorrhage is often based on the volume of blood lost. A Class I hemorrhage occurs when there is a loss of up to 15% of total blood volume. Class II hemorrhage occurs due to a loss of 15% to 30% of blood, which may present symptoms such as lightheadedness, increased heart rate, and low blood pressure. More severe hemorrhages are classified as Class III and IV. They occur when the blood loss is greater than 30%. These hemorrhages can lead to critical conditions that need immediate medical intervention, such as blood transfusions or surgical procedures to control the bleeding.
Blood is transported throughout the body by three different kinds of blood vessels: capillaries, veins, and arteries. Blood that is rich in oxygen is transported from the heart to the body’s tissues and organs via arteries. At the same time, the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body through veins. Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels that join arteries and veins to transport oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues as well as organs. Hemorrhages can occur anywhere in the body and frequently impact all three blood vessel types. Let’s look at the types of hemorrhage (arterial, venous, capillary):
Arterial bleeding happens in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the body. Arterial bleeding is the most serious and urgent form of bleeding. A penetrating injury, physical trauma, or organ or blood vessel damage may cause it. Due to the rapid loss of blood, arterial bleeding can be life-threatening.
When a vein is injured, the injured blood vessel gradually releases dark red blood. Venous hemorrhage is less severe than arterial bleeding, yet it can still be serious and necessitate quick treatment.
Capillary bleeding occurs when capillaries, the tiniest blood vessels, are injured. Capillary bleeding is often sluggish and occurs in oozes or trickles. It is the least severe kind of bleeding, but it can be the most painful, and it frequently ends on its own.
Hemorrhages can occur in almost any body part, both internally and externally. Your symptoms will differ based on the intensity of the bleeding and the site of the hemorrhage. Some of the common symptoms of hemorrhage are as follows:
External bleeding is visible and typically easier to identify, as it occurs when blood escapes through a break in the skin, often due to a cut, puncture wound, or trauma. This type of hemorrhage may occur with symptoms such as visible bleeding from an open wound and pain or discomfort at the injury site. Individuals may also experience swelling (edema) around the affected area or bruising due to underlying tissue damage.
Blood may pool inside the body when there is internal bleeding, or it may leave through the nose, anus, vagina, urethra, or mouth (in the form of vomit, feces, or both). Symptoms vary depending on the location of the bleeding. Still, they may include abdominal pain or swelling, chest tightness, skin color changes (pale or bruised skin), fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. You may also experience blurry or double vision, tingling in the hands and feet, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
Hemorrhagic shock happens when the body loses an excessive amount of blood. Shock can result from internal or exterior hemorrhages when you lose 20% or more of your body’s blood volume. Because it lowers blood flow and oxygen supply to essential organs and tissues, excessive blood loss can be potentially fatal. Hemorrhagic shock symptoms may include confusion, anxiety or agitation, severe thirst, lethargy, and chilly, clammy, pale, or bluish skin. You may also have extreme sweating, a fast heart rate, reduced urine, and loss of consciousness.
Hemorrhage treatment is given to stop the bleeding while also addressing the underlying causes and preventing consequences. The severity of your bleeding determines the exact treatment approach and whether the hemorrhage is internal or external. However, blood loss first aid and hospital medical care are commonly employed to relieve symptoms and prevent blood loss.
First aid is important for severe bleeding management of any type of hemorrhage. Minor external bleeding requires an understanding of fundamental first aid guidelines, but serious bleeding necessitates the availability of emergency medical services. To help stop the severe bleeding, follow the given blood loss first aid steps:
The bleeding person should be instructed to remain calm so that their heart rate and blood pressure can be managed. A faster heart rate or higher blood pressure can raise the risk of bleeding. As a result, having the person lie down as soon as possible is critical to reducing undesirable symptoms such as fainting.
To make the wound visible, open or take off the clothing covering it. Find the bleeding and determine whether it is “life-threatening.” Blood that is spurting from the wound, blood that is not stopping, blood that has collected on the ground, blood-soaked clothing or bandages, or bleeding in an unconscious victim are all signs of life-threatening bleeding.
Raise the bleeding area above the heart level to help slow blood flow. Gravity causes blood to flow downward more easily than above. For instance, the lower hand will be red, and the upper hand will be pale if you place one hand over your head and the other at your side. Thus, the wound must be located above the heart and maintained under direct pressure.
If you do not have a trauma first aid kit, you can apply direct pressure to the wound. Cover the wound with a clean fabric, such as a shirt. If the wound is big and deep, try to “stuff” the cloth into it. Apply steady pressure with both hands immediately on the bleeding wound. Press down as much as you can. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Maintain pressure until it is relieved by medical responders.
If you have a trauma first aid kit, including a tourniquet, use it to treat life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg. Wrap the tourniquet across the bleeding arm or leg about 2 to 3 inches beyond the site of bleeding. Pull the tourniquet’s free end as much as possible, and then secure it. Wind or twist the windlass to stop the bleeding. To maintain the tightness of tourniquets, secure the windlass. Record the tourniquet application time.
If there is life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg and no tourniquet is available, you can pack the wound. Apply pressure with both hands after packing (stuffing) the wound with plain gauze, hemostatic gauze, or bleeding control gauze. Open the clothing covering the bleeding wound. Remove any blood or debris that has accumulated. Use a clean cloth, plain gauze, or bleeding control gauze (recommended) to pack (stuff) the wound. Place both hands directly on top of the bleeding incision and apply constant pressure. Apply pressure as much as possible to stop the bleeding.
Remove any foreign objects or loose debris surrounding the wound. If the wound is caused due to a knife or any weapon then do not remove it from the affected region. Removing these objects can cause additional harm to the injury and increase the bleeding.
You can also use pads and bandages in order to absorb the bleeding. Pressure packs can be extremely useful for preventing bleeding. Continue to keep the pressure at a medium level until the bleeding has stopped and reduced. Some pressure packs contain clean clothes, bandages, gloves, or clothing.
If you are waiting for emergency help, try not to move the injured person. If you have not already called for emergency assistance, take the injured person to an emergency room as quickly as possible.
Serious external bleeding and internal bleeding necessitate immediate emergency medical attention. Healthcare practitioners evaluate the source and severity of the bleeding to decide the most appropriate treatment for controlling hemorrhagic bleeding, which may include:
Stitches or staples are applied to close an open wound to stop the bleeding and keep bacteria and other harmful pathogens out of the body. Running sutures is the greatest option for controlling hemorrhage immediately or applying minimal stress to long wounds. They can be used quickly to spread tension around the wound.
Surgical operations may be required to stop bleeding in major blood vessels or to restore damaged organs or tissues. For example, hemorrhagic stroke commonly requires surgery to release intracranial (within the skull) pressure, which may be caused due to bleeding.
A blood transfusion is commonly required to treat severe bleeding, for instance, during or after a surgery or operation, after delivering a baby, or after a dangerous accident. Donated blood is administered via an intravenous (IV) line to replace any lost blood and increase oxygen supply throughout the body.
There are certain medications, such as desmopressin (which stimulates blood clotting), vitamin K (which promotes blood clotting), and tranexamic acid (which reduces bleeding), which can help prevent and stabilize blood pressure. Various doctors also use these drugs during surgery to promote blood clotting.
Anyone experiencing unexpected or uncontrollable bleeding should consult a medical expert. Untreated bleeding can result in a variety of problems, depending on the type of bleeding.
If the bleeding was caused by an injury or accident, it can be controlled using local first aid. If the wound is small, it may heal on its own. If the wound is large, you may need sutures, medicated dressings, and corrective surgery.
If a medical problem causes bleeding and the condition is not recognized or diagnosed, the bleeding is likely to occur again.
Any bleeding that persists without medical attention may be life-threatening. For example, if someone experiences acute bleeding in a short amount of time and loses 30% or more of their blood volume, they may bleed to death quickly, necessitating IV hydration and a transfusion of packed blood cells for resuscitation.
You can not avoid hemorrhaging, particularly in the event of an accident or when you have an untreated bleeding problem. However, certain preventative interventions can minimize your risk of bleeding, which are discussed as follows:
When participating in activities with a higher risk of injury, including sports or work using heavy machinery, be cautious and adhere to safety procedures. When driving, keep sharp objects (e.g., knives) out of reach of smaller children and wear a seatbelt to avoid any accidents.
If you have a bleeding disorder or another health condition that increases your risk of bleeding, take your medications exactly as they were prescribed. To minimize the risk of hemorrhage, you need to ensure to diagnose and treat the anemia in your body.
Elevated blood pressure (BP) frequently complicates the two main types of internal hemorrhage: intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This increases the risk of continuous and recurrent hemorrhage, as well as death and disability. Thus, it is important to monitor and maintain the blood pressure constantly.
A healthy diet and regular physical activity are especially important for people suffering from bleeding disorders. Fruits and vegetables include antioxidants, which can help protect blood vessels. They also contain potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure.
Routine medical check-ups can assist in identifying and managing underlying diseases or hereditary factors that may raise your risk of bleeding. It also helps you to know more about your health status, diagnose diseases at an early stage, and assist in scheduling a timely treatment plan.
Hemorrhage is caused by damaged blood vessels, which can be both internal and external bleeding. The condition may be caused by trauma, a fall, an accident, or any other event. Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) can be life-threatening, especially if not treated immediately. To minimize future complications, external hemorrhage requires immediate blood loss first aid assistance. You should also learn basic first aid procedures online to prepare for emergencies and ensure that you can offer professional assistance when required.
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