BLEEDING [HAEMORRHAGE]

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
• nose

What are the common causes of bleeding?

Bleeding is a common symptom. A variety of incidents or conditions can cause bleeding. Possible causes include :

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 Will brand disease
• vitamin K deficiency
• brain trauma
• colon diverticulitis
• 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

When is bleeding a sign of an emergency?

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
• the bleeding was caused by a serious injury
• the wound may need stitches to stop bleeding
• foreign objects are stuck inside the wound
• the wound appears to be infected, such as swelling or leaking a whitish-yellow or brown pus, or has redness
• the injury occurred due to a bite from an animal or human

When you call for help, emergency services will tell you what to do and when they’ll arrive.

In most cases, emergency services will tell you to continue to put pressure on the wound and keep reassuring the person who’s bleeding. You may also be told to lay the person down to reduce their risk of fainting.

First aid for traumatic bleeding

It’s possible to treat external traumatic bleeding. Seek emergency help if the person is having any of the emergency signs listed above and if you need help to stop the bleeding.

The person who’s bleeding should try to remain calm to keep their heart rate and blood pressure controlled. Either heart rate or blood pressure being too high will increase the speed of bleeding.

Lay the person down as soon as possible to reduce the risk of fainting, and try to elevate the area that’s bleeding.

Remove loose debris and foreign particles from the wound. Leave large items such as knives, arrows, or weapons where they are. Removing these objects can cause further harm and will likely increase the bleeding. In this case, use bandages and pads to keep the object in place and absorb the bleeding.

Use the following to put pressure onto the wound:

• a clean cloth
• bandages
• clothing
• your hands (after applying protective gloves)

Maintain medium pressure until the bleeding has slowed and stops.

Do not:

• remove the cloth when bleeding stops. Use an adhesive tape or clothing to wrap around the dressing and hold it in place. Then place a cold pack over the wound.
• look at the wound to see if bleeding has stopped. This can disturb the wound and cause it to begin bleeding again.
• remove the cloth from the wound, even if blood seeps through the material. Add more material on top, and continue the pressure.
• move anyone with an injury to the head, neck, back, or leg
• apply pressure to an eye injury

1. Use tourniquets only as a last resort. An experienced person should apply the tourniquet. To apply a tourniquet, follow these steps: Identify where to place the tourniquet. Apply it to a limb between the heart and the bleeding.
2. Make the tourniquet using bandages, if possible. Wrap them around the limb and tie a half knot. Ensure there is enough room to tie another knot with the loose ends.
3. Place a stick or rod between the two knots.
4. Twist the stick to tighten the bandage.
5. Secure the tourniquet in place with tape or cloth.
6. Check the tourniquet at least every 10 minutes. If the bleeding slows enough to be controlled with pressure, release the tourniquet and apply direct pressure instead.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxO5LvgqZe0