When blood oozes from human tissues or blood vessels, it is called a hemorrhage. Bleeding is usually a serious warning sign of various diseases or injuries. Therefore, in case of doubt, a doctor should always be consulted. However, minor bleeding is stopped by the body through blood clotting and in the course also healed itself.
What are hemorrhages?
An open wound with bleeding should be disinfected and rinsed with water. A tetanus vaccination should always be renewed in this context. Hemorrhage is the leakage of blood from the human bloodstream, which is sometimes harmless, but in other cases can lead to serious consequences. It can be external bleeding, which is located on the skin and is visible, but also invisible internal bleeding, which is only revealed as such by other symptoms. Some internal bleeding causes characteristic bruises on the skin, while organic bleeding sometimes goes undetected for a long time and causes damage.
Causes
The causes of bleeding can be varied. Non-dangerous bleeds are usually minor injuries, such as pinpricks or small cuts. Bleeding due to disease should always be examined by a doctor, even for more innocuous conditions, such as bleeding from hemorrhoids. The most common cause of bleeding, as already noted, are injuries caused by external factors. External bleeding on the skin from cuts, abrasions, or other harmful influences triggers an immediate discharge of blood to the surface of the skin. Bruises, capsular tears or contusions are caused by bleeding that happens under the skin or around joints. The leaked blood clots inside the body and is usually visible as a blue-greenish discoloration that is gradually broken down. Such bleeding results from the effects of blows or jolts. Internal hemorrhages affect the internal organs of the human body. They can occur at any point in the blood and lung circulation and often go unnoticed if only a small amount of blood is leaking. This may be the case, for example, when an ulcer forms on an internal organ. Smaller amounts of blood leak from the affected site over the long term, which can add up over time and lead to anemia, among other things. Life-threatening internal bleeding can occur, for example, in traffic accidents. In the case of major injuries, there is a risk of bleeding to death. In women, a special form of bleeding occurs: Menstruation. This is completely normal and no cause for alarm. Even during pregnancy, there may be light bleeding in the early period, which is also harmless.
Diseases with this symptom
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Laceration
- Ebola
- Erysipelas
- Heat stroke
- Uterine rupture
- Blood clotting disorder
- Tendon rupture
- Laceration
- Tumor
- Rupture of spleen
- Cardiac neurosis
Complications
Bleeding, once it reaches a relatively severe level, can lead to massive complications. However, bleeding must always be considered in the context of the triggering event and the place of occurrence. For example, someone who injures his finger on a piece of paper will certainly suffer a hemorrhage; however, this will not result in serious consequences or even complications. In the case of bleeding of internal organs, however, the probability of complications is much higher. In general, blood loss means weakening of the organism. The loss of blood reduces the volume of blood circulating in the body. This must be compensated. Initially, compensation is attempted through the withdrawal of water. If the volume of circulating blood falls below a certain value, the so-called hemorraghic shock occurs. In this case, the blood supply to the organs is no longer guaranteed. At this point, at the latest, there is an acute danger to life. Hemorraghic shock only occurs in the event of severe bleeding. If it cannot be compensated, it leads to death. In this case, it is referred to as hemorrhage. Another complication of more severe bleeding is anemia, popularly known as ‘anemia’. In this case, there is a reduced hemoglobin content of the blood and too low a proportion of erythrocytes in the blood.Mild bleeding can also weaken the body with fatigue, dizziness, circulatory problems and similar symptoms.
When should you go to the doctor?
It is possible to determine quite precisely what kind of bleeding makes it necessary to go to the doctor. Female menstrual bleeding is not one of them, unless it is unusually heavy, absent altogether or accompanied by pain. Women should also see a gynecologist regularly during menopause. Minor scrapes and cuts, such as those suffered around the house, in the garden, or while playing as a child, are also harmless. However, people should be vaccinated against tetanus, or lockjaw. This is generally beneficial for all people. For larger wounds, individuals are best served by an accident doctor or sports physician. Heavy or unusual bleeding belongs in specialist hands. Regular bleeding gums are a matter for the dentist. Frequent nosebleeds should be examined by an ENT specialist to clarify whether they are harmless or an expression of a disease. Blood in urine and stool are reasons to see an internist as soon as possible. In some people, the legs occasionally bleed when veins burst and the skin is very thin. In this case, the general practitioner can first investigate the causes. If bleeding turns into festering sores, a visit to the doctor is indispensable. Hemophiliacs, on the other hand, must take good care when they bleed. They are given medication to make the blood clot better, but should go to the doctor if in doubt.
Treatment and therapy
For bleeding from external injuries, the bleeding itself is stopped first, if necessary. The wound is then disinfected and kept germ-free. Bruises or other bleeding-related injuries require immobilization of the affected limb until the clotted blood has completely cleared. In the case of minor internal bleeding, the cause must be clarified. This requires further examinations, for example to identify a tumor focus. Iron infusions are often necessary to prevent the symptoms of anemia. Severe bleeding must be stopped surgically to prevent too much blood from leaking out. Blood transfusions may be required. A woman’s menstrual bleeding occasionally triggers pain, which is treated with pain medications. If the discomfort is too severe, hormones are used to stop the bleeding. For minor bleeding, a plaster or small bandage is usually sufficient. This should nevertheless be sterile. In case of heavier bleeding, a bandage should definitely be applied to stop the bleeding. The following points should be observed:
- Bandage in a sitting or lying position to spare the circulation.
- Maintain awareness of the, do not let out of sight.
- Keep wound as germ-free as possible (wear gloves).
- Do not clean the wound with water (only for bite wounds, chemical burns or burns).
- Do not remove foreign bodies from the woundm to exclude further risk of infection or more severe bleeding
- Do not put any foreign substance into the wound (including home remedies).
Any bleeding or wound should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible (no more than six hours). Vaccination may also need to be considered.
Outlook and prognosis
Bleeding can take a serious course if it is not cared for properly. Of course, it always depends on the severity of the injury. If there is only a superficial injury, it will heal completely within a short time. A prerequisite for this, however, is that the wound is kept clean and pure throughout. Otherwise, the affected area can become inflamed very quickly, resulting in a very unpleasant course of disease. In such a case, pus may form, which must be treated with medication. In the case of deeper flesh wounds, medical treatment is mandatory in many cases. Otherwise there is a risk of bleeding to death. In addition, contaminants get into an open wound very quickly, which can lead to inflammation. In the worst case, this course of disease ends with blood poisoning, which can lead to death. For this reason, the following applies: Wounds should be well cared for right from the start. They should be kept clean and pure, otherwise the course of the disease is made more difficult. It is imperative that bleeding is stopped.For minor bleeding, a simple plaster is quite sufficient. Internal or external bleeding must definitely be treated by a doctor. Otherwise, the affected person will bleed to death.
Prevention
External bleeding and related injuries can be prevented by following certain safety precautions in everyday life and at work. These also protect against accidents that can result in more serious internal bleeding. Women’s menstrual bleeding can be treated with various painkillers. Prevention can be done by taking it easy at the beginning of bleeding and finding your own methods to combat period pain. In some circumstances, one can talk to the gynecologist about a long-term cycle to avoid painful bleeding as much as possible and to get the period only occasionally.
What you can do yourself
Arterial and venous bleeding is usually due to cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. Superficial injuries can be treated by oneself without any problems. The affected person must first clean and disinfect the wound. Disinfectants for cleaning wounds are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Bleeding will stop on its own with minor injuries. A band-aid or dressing should be applied to promote desire closure and prevent reopening or contamination of the wound. First aid measures are indicated for wounds that bleed profusely, after which the emergency room of the nearest hospital must be visited immediately. Capillary bleeding occurs mainly in the area of the nose. First-time severe nosebleeds must be clarified by a physician. However, if the causes are known, the affected person can also help himself. In the case of acute nosebleeds, a sitting position should be adopted and the forehead placed on a tabletop. The blood can then be collected in a container held under the nose. It is also helpful to press continuously against the nostrils with thumb and index finger for several minutes. In addition, many patients find an ice pack or cold compress placed on the back of the neck helpful.