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 Willebrand disease
vitamin K deficiency
brain trauma
colon diverticulosis
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
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ACCEPTMore information
What You Need to Know About
Hemorrhage
Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Kati
Blake — Updated on September 17, 2019
Causes
Emergency symptoms
Treatment
Emergency medical care
Complications
Overview
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 Willebrand disease
vitamin K deficiency
brain trauma
colon diverticulosis
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
How is bleeding treated?
A person can bleed to death in 5 minutes. Bystanders may be able to save a
life before emergency personnel can arrive.
There is a national campaign called Stop the Bleed to teach anyone how to
stop bleeding. People in mass casualty events have died from blood loss even
when their wounds shouldn’t have been fatal.
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.
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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.
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
Use tourniquets only as a last resort. An experienced person should apply the
tourniquet. To apply a tourniquet, follow these steps:
1. 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.
