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Bleeding
Bleeding is loss of blood from any part of the body. Bleeding can happen either in the body or externally. Bleeding can also happen through a natural opening or through a break in the skin. To deal with bleeding in the best way, it is very important for you to know about what causes bleeding, its causes, symptoms, and how you can deal with it.
Bleeding is the direct result of an injury done to the blood vessels that carry blood in human body. The injury and bleeding due to it can be minimal or can be grave and life threatening. One of the most common reasons of these injuries are wounds and cuts. The natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes or hurricanes etc and other incidents such as, gunshot wounds, automobile accidents, household accidents, machinery can often cause injuries.
What are the signs and symptoms of bleeding?
There are several signs and symptoms of bleeding, such as -
- bruising
- clammy skin
- bluish lips and fingernails
- weakness
- decreased alertness
- low blood pressure
- confusion
- rapid heart rate
- shock
- paleness
The cases of external bleeding by a natural opening are:
- Blood in stool in black, bright red or maroon color
- Blood passing through urine
- Blood in vomit in red, brown or black color
- Vaginal bleeding
The cases of internal bleeding are:
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Blood coughing up
- Fainting and weakness
- Swelling of abdomen
Diagnosing bleeding
External bleeding can be diagnosed looking at it. The diagnosis of bleeding starts with the history and physical examination. You can do some special X ray tests, such as CAT scans and MRI. These tests can confirm the case of internal bleeding.
What to do to prevent bleeding?
- The patient should be calmed. Lay him or her down on his or her back. It will reduce all the chances of the patient's fainting or falling.
- The assisting person must wear the latex gloves to avoid exposure to blood.
- Remove any debris and dirt present in the wound. You must try to remove any object stuck in the person's body.
- The wound must be washed with soap and warm water.
- External bleeding must be controlled with direct pressure. You should use a clean cloth, sterile bandage with a gloved hand to apply pressure till bleeding stops. If bleeding goes on, infection can happen with the injury to an organ of body or your skin.
- After bleeding stops, clean dressing must be firmly applied on the wound. Dressing must be big enough to cover the wound fully.
- Call ambulance in case of emergency.