That said, symptoms may not always match the severity of blood loss.
Trauma
Trauma is one of the more common causes of internal bleeding.
This can cause the vessel to rupture.
Verywell / JR Bee
Sometimes, the rupture of an aneurysm happens with intense activity.
At other times, it can occur for no apparent reason during rest or sleep.
Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorderssuch ashemophiliacan increase a person’s risk of bleeding, including internal bleeding.
The overuse of certain drugs can have the same effect.
This includes blood thinners like warfarin and anti-platelet drugs like Plavix (clopidogrel).
Hemorrhagic Fevers
A less common cause of internal bleeding is viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Certain viruses can cause small blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body.
By doing so, there are fewer platelets available to stop bleeding.
Many viral diseases can cause internal bleeding, most of which are confined to Africa.
For example, large amounts of blood may be lost following an abdominal or kidney injury before symptoms appear.
It is only later that symptoms may develop and turn severe.
Pain
Pain is a common symptom of internal bleeding, as blood irritates tissues.
For instance, bleeding near thediaphragmis often felt in the shoulder.
Guarding
It is common for people to display guarding when internal bleeding occurs.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breathcan be a symptom of internal bleeding in any body part.
With blood loss, fewer red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues, which causes trouble breathing.
Losing oxygen to the limbs can causetingling in the hands or feet.
Internal bleeding can also causehyperventilation(rapid breathing) as the body tries to raise oxygen levels.
Changes in Vision
Vision changes are common with internal bleeding.
They can occur before “blacking out” when the blood loss is rapid or severe.
Other changes may be due to abrain bleed, in which blurred anddouble visionare common.
Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may occur due to blood loss or in response to pain.
These symptoms are expected when the bleeding is in the digestive tract or the brain.
People often describe this as “breaking out in a cold sweat.”
Bruising
Bruising can sometimes indicate where a bleed is occurring.
Bruising around the navel, referred to as aCullen’s sign, suggests bleeding in the belly.
Extensive bruising can occur with fractures.
This can include a total loss of consciousness.
A change in mental status is a sign of a medical emergency.
Site-Specific Symptoms
Internal bleeding in specific parts of the body may lead to distinct symptoms.
These include:
Brain
Brain bleeds often cause severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Weakness on one side of the body or changes in vision are also common.
As the bleeding progresses, confusion and disorientation can occur, followed by the loss of consciousness orseizures.
Coughing up even just a teaspoon of blood is a medical emergency.
Coughing up to 1/4 cup of blood or more is linked to a high risk of death.
Bleeding around the heart (known aspericardial effusion) can restrict the heart’s motion.
This can lead to life-threateningcardiac tamponade.
Abdomen
Bleeding into the abdomen can cause swelling along with diffuse pain.
When a healthcare provider places a stethoscope on the stomach,bowel sounds may be absent.
Bruising around the navel or flank strongly suggests internal bleeding.
Prior to this, the only sign may be dark stools.
On the other hand, the skin may turn pale and tight when bleeding causes compartment syndrome.
This is a painful condition brought on by extreme pressure within muscle tissues.
It may be hard to move joints or walk.
Diagnosis
Internal bleeding is diagnosed with lab tests and imaging tools.
Lab Tests
There are a few different lab tests that can detect internal bleeding.
A blood test can show if someone has anemia (low red blood cells) due to blood loss.
However, imaging will usually be localized to the region that experienced injury or shows signs of bleeding.
Complications
The loss of blood can lead to severe complications.
This can include death because of the massive loss of blood, known asexsanguination.
This most often pops up if half to two-thirds of the body’s blood is lost.
Organ Failure or Damage
Some organs are more sensitive to blood loss and shock than others.
This can reduce the function of these organs, often permanently, leading to organ failure.
Children
Unlike adults, children may not be able to describe their symptoms.
Instead of complaining of pain, they may become fussy, cry continually, or become difficult to console.
They may also have a poor appetite or refuse to eat.
Changes in mental status are also common clues.
For instance, a child who normally loves to play may become lethargic.
Vision changes can cause a child to bump into walls or miss objects they are reaching for.
Later on,placenta previa, placental abruptions, or uterine rupture can cause internal bleeding.
Complications like these often cause vaginal bleeding, but this is not always the case.
Care begins with assessing the severity and location of the bleeding.
Mild cases may resolve on their own with monitoring, but significant bleeding often requires urgent medical intervention.
For severe cases, surgical procedures, such aslaparotomyor endoscopy, are commonly performed to stop the bleeding.
Clotting support is also critical.
For people taking blood thinners, antidotes may be administered to counteract their effects.
Rapid medical care is essential, as untreated internal bleeding can lead to life-threatening complications.
Can You Stop Internal Bleeding Naturally?
Some very mild cases of internal bleeding may resolve naturally if the body forms clots to stop the bleeding.
In most cases, hospital treatment is critical to prevent severe complications and improve the chances of survival.
Internal bleeding can cause serious problems, such as shock and organ damage.
These sometimes do not cause outward symptoms until later when the blood loss is severe.
The overuse of certain drugs and viral hemorrhagic fevers are uncommon but potentially serious causes.
Complications may include shock, organ damage or failure, and death.
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