Causes of Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding symptoms include severe pain, dizziness, swelling, and coughing up blood, depending on the affected area and the rate of blood loss. You might suspect internal bleeding if you experience unexplained weakness, persistent pain, or signs like swelling and discoloration without an obvious injury. Survival depends on the severity and location, but immediate medical attention is crucial as untreated internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
Causes
The causes of internal bleeding are as varied as the signs and symptoms. Some are caused by an external force, such as a blow to the body, while others occur within the body due to a disease or structural weakness.
Trauma
Trauma is one of the more common causes of internal bleeding. It can include various types of injuries:
- Penetrating trauma: This is when an object enters the body, such as a knife, broken glass, shrapnel, or a bullet.
- Blunt trauma: This can range from knocks and punches, which may not cause noticeable symptoms at first, to high-velocity impacts, which often do.
- Deceleration injuries: These commonly occur in car crashes. When a speeding vehicle abruptly stops, it can cause vessels and organs to rupture or detach.
- Fractures: Some fractures bleed more than others. Fractures of the long arm, leg, and pelvis bones can cause significant blood loss. Bone fragments can also tear blood vessels.
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the wall. This can cause the vessel to rupture. 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 disorders such as hemophilia can increase a person’s risk of bleeding, including internal bleeding. This is caused when blood does not clot as it should, either due to a lack of blood cells called platelets or proteins called clotting factors.
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.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of internal bleeding do not always correspond to the severity of the bleeding. For example, large amounts of blood may be lost following an abdominal or kidney injury before symptoms appear. By contrast, even small amounts of bleeding in parts of the brain can cause significant symptoms and even death.
How Internal Bleeding Is Treated
Internal bleeding treatment focuses on stopping blood loss, stabilizing the affected person, and addressing the cause. 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.
Prognosis
The chances of surviving internal bleeding depend on how severe the bleeding is, where it’s happening in the body, and how quickly it’s treated. Even though healthcare providers have made improvements in treating trauma patients, uncontrolled bleeding is still a major cause of death after severe injuries.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Internal bleeding can be life-threatening and requires immediate action to prevent death or irreversible organ damage. It is essential to call 911 if you or someone you know shows signs of internal bleeding, including:
- Severe abdominal or chest pain
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Coughing up blood
- Changes in vision
- Changes in mental status
Summary
Internal bleeding is commonly caused by things like trauma (including puncture wounds, fractures, and blunt force injuries) as well as ruptured aneurysms and bleeding disorders. The overuse of certain drugs and viral hemorrhagic fevers are uncommon but potentially serious causes. Symptoms include pain, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, bruising, cold sweat, tingling hands or feet, vision changes, confusion, and fainting. Complications may include shock, organ damage or failure, and death.
FAQs
- What are the symptoms of internal bleeding?
- Severe pain, dizziness, swelling, and coughing up blood, depending on the affected area and the rate of blood loss.
- What are the causes of internal bleeding?
- Trauma, aneurysm, bleeding disorders, and hemorrhagic fevers.
- How is internal bleeding treated?
- Stopping blood loss, stabilizing the affected person, and addressing the cause.
- What is the prognosis for internal bleeding?
- The chances of surviving depend on the severity and location of the bleeding, and how quickly it’s treated.
