When an artery or vein ruptures blood will collect inside the body. This is internal bleeding. Put simply, it is getting a cut inside the body. It can be caused by alcohol- and/or drug-induced liver damage, blunt trauma, deceleration trauma, fractures, medication, pregnancy, spontaneous bleeding etc.
If it occurs in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, retroperitoneum (the space in the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum) and/or thighs it can become life threatening.
Symptoms of internal bleeding depend on the part of the body that has suffered damage. Internal bleeding is often accompanied with other medical issues.
Bruising (localized).
Bruising on the side indicates abdominal bleeding.
Black stool indicates bleeding in stomach or small intestine.
Blood from any orifice (mouth, nose, ears, anus, vagina or urethra).
Blood in urine indicates bleeding in the kidney or bladder.
Decreased mental status indicates bleeding in the brain, e.g., stroke; Diagnoses and Treatments – Head – Brain – Stroke.
Impaired vision indicates bleeding in the eye.
Inflammation indicates leaking outside a blood vessel.
Pain (localized): the pain is often the affected site, e.g., if caused by a fracture.
Pain in chest or that radiates to the shoulder indicates bleeding in the diaphragm.
Volume shock; Diagnoses and Treatments – Circulatory System – Dehydration and Volume Shock – Volume Shock.
Treatment for Internal Bleeding
Exact diagnosis and treatment is almost impossible without advanced medical care. The important thing is to notice the possible signs and symptoms so you can seek professional advice earlier rather than later.
Avoid unnecessary movement of the patient.
Treat all fractures, in particular an unstable pelvic fracture.
Treat the cause.