There may be no clear cause or source, or, such as with trauma, the cause and likelihood of internal bleeding may be obvious. Unfortunately, even in the case of trauma, internal bleeding may not be immediately evident, and a high level of scrutiny may still be needed.
With internal bleeding, the amount of bleeding does not necessarily reflect the severity of the condition. Large amounts of blood may collect in some regions of the body such as the retroperitoneum in the case of a kidney injury before symptoms or complications occur. In contrast, even small amounts of bleeding in regions such as the brain can cause major symptoms or even death.
Having an awareness of some of the conditions that can cause internal bleeding may help you recognize the symptoms, should they occur. Some of the potential causes of internal bleeding include:. There are a number of mechanisms by which trauma can cause internal bleeding, and sometimes more than one of them are present at the same time.
Thinning and enlargement of blood vessels can lead to rupture. Sometimes, the rupture is preceded by intense activity, whereas at other times the rupture may occur at rest or even during sleep. Aneurysms may occur in nearly any blood vessel, with more common aneurysms including those in the brain cerebral aneurysms , in the aorta in the chest, and in the abdominal aorta. Bleeding Disorders and Blood Thinners.
Bleeding disorders may cause spontaneous bleeding or increase the likelihood of internal bleeding when combined with its other known causes. Some of these disorders, such as hemophilia , are usually apparent from birth, whereas some minor bleeding disorders may not become apparent until adulthood. Medications such as anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors can also increase the risk of internal bleeding. With the use of these drugs increasing, an awareness of the signs of internal bleeding is more important than ever.
Medications such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil ibuprofen also increase the risk. Some vitamins and dietary supplements may increase the risk of bleeding as well. It's important to stress that the degree of bleeding may not correlate with its apparent symptoms. In the case of trauma, the absence of signs or symptoms of internal bleeding early on does not mean that a person is in the clear.
Sometimes, damage to the liver or spleen, such as from a motor vehicle accident, only becomes apparent hours or even days following the accident. With rapid blood loss, or the loss of a significant amount of blood, lightheadedness and weakness are common.
In the case of more gradual blood loss or the loss of a small amount, lightheadedness may only become obvious when a person tries to stand orthostatic hypotension. Pain is a common symptom of internal bleeding, as blood is very irritating to tissues. Symptoms such as severe abdominal pain or a severe headache should always be evaluated by a medical professional. In some areas of the body, pain may be localized to the area of bleeding. With areas such as the abdomen, however, the location of pain may not necessarily reflect the area of bleeding.
In fact, when blood in the abdomen irritates the diaphragm, pain may be felt primarily in the shoulder. Shortness of Breath. Shortness of breath , or the sensation of being unable to take a deep breath, may be a symptom of internal bleeding anywhere. With blood loss, there are fewer red blood cells and hemoglobin circulating to carry oxygen to tissues, and the lack of oxygen delivery to tissues may be experienced as shortness of breath.
Certainly, shortness of breath is also common with bleeding in the chest cavity, or when the buildup of blood in the abdomen pushes up on the diaphragm, restricting airflow into the lungs. Chest or Shoulder Pain. Bleeding into the chest may cause chest pain, and bleeding into either the chest or abdomen by irritating the diaphragm can cause shoulder pain. Chest pain may also occur with internal bleeding at any location due to inadequate oxygen being delivered to the coronary arteries that feed the heart.
A sensation of tingling in the hands and feet is common with internal bleeding, and has several explanations. With blood loss, the body often "clamps" down circulation to the extremities, redirecting blood flow to vital structures such as the heart and brain. Internal bleeding can also cause hyperventilation both due to pain and to an attempt to increase oxygen delivery to the rest of the body. This may also result in tingling in the hands and feet. Changes in Vision and Other Neurological Signs.
Changes in vision associated with lightheadedness may be associated with internal bleeding anywhere why fainting is referred to as "blacking out". Specific visual changes such as double vision, weakness or numbness of one side of the body, a severe headache, or loss of coordination may be a sign of bleeding into the brain.
Nausea or Vomiting. Sometimes, a person who has internal bleeding will be unable to answer questions or may even be unconscious. While symptoms are what a person feels, signs of a condition are visible indicators that another person can see.
External bleeding, such as bleeding from the mouth, nose, ears, vagina, or rectum, suggests that internal bleeding may be present as well. Some signs associated with internal bleeding include:. Signs of Shock. With blood loss, several changes may be seen, such as a rapid heart rate, a rapid respiratory rate, and low blood pressure. Most often, signs of shock occur when a person has lost between 10 percent to 15 percent of their blood volume. Heavy Sweating. Diaphoresis , or profuse, heavy sweating that isn't caused by heat or exertion, is common with internal bleeding as well as other medical emergencies.
It's common for people to display guarding when internal bleeding occurs. Guarding is an unconscious attempt to keep another person or physician from touching a region of the body that is tender or bleeding. Bruising in some regions of the body is sometimes a specific sign of internal bleeding.
Bruising around the umbilicus belly button is referred to as Cullen's sign, and suggests internal bleeding in the abdomen.
Bruising on the flanks between the rib cage and hips on the side of the abdomen is known as Grey Turner's sign and also suggest bleeding in the abdomen or retroperitoneal space cavity towards the back of the abdomen where the kidneys lie. Bruising in other regions ecchymosis also suggest internal bleeding, such as when extensive bruising occurs on the extremities associated with an underlying fracture. Change in Mental Status or Loss of Consciousness. A change in mental status or total loss of consciousness often means that a significant amount of blood has been lost with the exception of head injuries or bleeding into the brain , and should be considered an emergency.
Internal bleeding in specific regions of the body may also lead to other symptoms. But it can be easy to overlook bleeding deep inside the body until it begins to cause life-threatening symptoms. As blood is crucial to the functioning of nearly every organ and type of body tissue, blood loss causes a wide range of symptoms that can seem unrelated. Very severe hemorrhaging can cause dangerous symptoms that set in within minutes, generally after a traumatic injury.
Anything that damages blood vessel walls can lead to hemorrhaging. For minor ruptures, the body can create a clot or plug made of proteins and red blood cells to seal off the broken tissue and stop bleeding. Significant injuries, however, cannot be stopped by a clot, which means the blood vessel continues to pump blood into the surrounding space or organs. Because many cases of internal bleeding occur as the result of a specific injury or trauma, the cause may be easy to identify.
But hemorrhaging can also be caused by factors that weaken blood vessel walls over time or interfere with the clotting process. These factors include certain medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle habits. Diagnosing a hemorrhage can be very difficult. In many cases, even locating the source of the bleeding can be challenging.
If a doctor suspects that an individual is hemorrhaging, they will place the person on the high priority list for diagnostic imaging tests, such as computed tomography CT or magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans, to locate and evaluate the extent of the hemorrhage.
Once a doctor has identified the source of the bleeding, they may use angiography to look inside individual blood vessels. Depending on the severity or cause of the hemorrhage, a doctor may also order an electrocardiogram ECG or an X-ray to assess damage or blood flow to the heart. Treating minor or mild hemorrhages typically involves rest and hydration. Typically, a clot will develop that temporarily limits bleeding while the blood vessel repairs itself.
Over time, the surrounding bodily tissues will reabsorb the excess blood. Treating moderate to severe internal bleeding involves the administration of intravenous vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma, blood, and platelets.
More recently, doctors have begun to administer very high doses of complexes and compounds that stimulate clotting. Sometimes, doctors may give intravenous fluids rich in electrolytes to people with internal bleeding. Once an individual is stabilized, or no longer at risk of death, treatment involves locating and stopping the source of the bleed. While an injury that damages the outside of your body is easy to see, internal bleeding occurs inside of your body and can be a major cause of concern.
When an injury occurs on the outside of the body, it generally involves a cut, or tear, in the skin that bleeds. In these cases, you can see what hurts and can pinpoint the cause of the problem. Internal bleeding is not as easy to diagnose or even see.
Internal bleeding is often the result of a trauma or major injury. It almost always requires medical attention. Serious internal bleeding can signify a life-threatening condition. Internal bleeding can be the indication of a serious condition.
If someone you know suddenly develops the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately:. There are many other signs and symptoms of internal bleeding including dark stool, bruising around the naval, and on the sides of the abdomen. Internal bleeding is a symptom of an injury, serious condition, or disease. Sometimes, the source is easy to identify. Sometimes, it is difficult to determine what is the source of the bleeding.
If you have been in an accident, the cause of your bleeding is obvious. It is most likely a result of some sort of trauma from the accident. But, some medical conditions may also cause internal bleeding. Here are some likely causes of bleeding:.
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