Fact Checked
What is Bleeding?
- Bleeding is the name generally used to define blood loss. It can indicate blood loss within the body (internal bleeding) or blood loss that occurs outside of the body (external bleeding).
- Blood loss can take place in almost any part of the body. Usually, internal bleeding takes place when blood escapes out through a damaged blood vessel.
- External bleeding takes place either when blood escapes through a crack in the skin, or when blood escapes through an opening, such as the rectum, vagina, or mouth.
Causes Of Bleeding
- Possible causes consist of:
Bleeding is the name generally used to define blood loss. It can indicate blood loss within the body (internal bleeding) or blood loss that occurs outside of the body (external bleeding).
Medical Conditions
There are also several medical conditions that can cause bleeding. This is usually rarer than traumatic bleeding but can still happen to varying degrees. Disorders that can cause bleeding consist of:
- Liver disease;
- Leukemia;
- Vitamin K deficiency;
- Heart failure;
- Acute bronchitis;
- Heart failure;
- Lung cancer;
- Bowel obstruction;
- Menorrhagia;
- Haemophilia; and
- Bowel obstruction.
Traumatic Bleeding
Traumatic bleeding occurs during an injury. Injuries can change in severity, but most will lead to bleeding to some degree. Common types of traumatic injury consist of:
- Puncture wounds from items such as a needle or knife;
- Crushing injuries;
- Lacerations or incisions;
- Hematoma or bruises;
- Gunshot wound.;
- Abrasions or grazes that do not penetrate below the skin; and
- Hematoma or bruises.
Treatment Of Bleeding
When treating bleeding, it is vital to find out why the bleeding is occurring and then to discontinue it as quickly as possible. If the bleeding is caused by a medical disorder, emergency care will be required immediately.