21/10/2024
HEMORRHAGE
Hemorrhage or bleeding is the term that refers to the loss of blood from the circulatory system, it can be inside in the body (internal bleeding) or outside the body (external bleeding).
external bleeding can be through either a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, ear, urethra, va**na or a**s, or through a wound in the skin.
CAUSES
Possible causes of Hemorrhage include,
- Alcohol, drug or to***co use that is heavy or long-term (causes bleeding in the brain).
- Blood clotting disorders.
- Cancer.
- Complications from medical procedures, such as surgery or childbirth.
- Damage to an internal organ.
- Hereditary (inherited) disorders, such as hemophilia and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
- Injuries, such as cuts or puncture wounds, bone fracture or traumatic brain injury.
- Violence, such as a gunshot or knife wound, or physical abuse.
- Viruses that attack the blood vessels, such as viral hemorrhagic fever (Lassa fever, ebola, yellow fever).
- Certain medications such as blood thinners, antibiotics, when used on a long-term basis, aspirin and other NSAIDs.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Cool when someone touches your skin.
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue
- Short of breath
- weakness
In a severe unattended hemorrhage, hemorrhage may cause;
- Chest pain.
- Confusion.
- Faster breathing or heart rate.
- Organ failure.
- Seizures.
- Shock.
- Coma or death.
EMERGENCY SIGNS OF HEMORRHAGE
Medical emergency is required as soon as the following is seen:
- Abnormal breathing
- hemoptysis.
- Faints.
- If bleeding cannot be stopped.
- Chest pain.
- Cold or “clammy” skin.
- if the bleeding was caused by a serious injury
- Foreign objects stuck inside the wound
- If the wound appears to be infected, such as swelling or leaking a whitish-yellow or brown pus, or has redness
- If the injury occurred due to a bite from an animal or human
- If you suspect internal bleeding. This can become life-threatening.
Nma's medics