Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is an extremely serious condition that can become life-threatening very quickly, and it requires immediate medical care.

Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding occurs when the blood vessels break or burst, which causes the blood to accumulate inside the body.

Internal bleeding can be mild or severe, and it can be visible or invisible (but still causes other symptoms).

Causes of internal bleeding

• Trauma, which is the most common cause.
• Gastrointestinal conditions that cause bleeding in the GI tract, such as peptic ulcer disease, Crohn’s disease, colon polyps, esophagitis, gastritis, colitis, and gastrointestinal cancers.
• A ruptured aneurysm, which is a bulge in the wall of an artery.
• In females: ruptured ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage.
• Other causes: hemorrhoids, bone fractures, after surgeries, and viral hemorrhagic fever.
• The risk of internal bleeding increases in people who have a blood disorder or take blood-thinning medications.

Symptoms of internal bleeding

Symptoms of internal bleeding differ depending on its severity and location, and it’s classified as follows:

• When a person loses up to 15% of the blood volume, this is considered a Class I hemorrhage, and it doesn’t cause symptoms in general.
• When a person loses 15-30% of the blood volume, this is considered a Class II hemorrhage, and it causes low blood pressure that leads to dizziness, nausea and vomiting, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, and increased heartbeat.
• When a person loses more than 30% of the blood volume, this leads to serious issues like seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, and hypovolemic shock.

Symptoms of internal bleeding in certain locations include:

• In the head: vision issues, a thunderclap headache (sudden and severe), confusion, and weakness in one side of the body.
• In the chest: chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood.
• In the abdomen: swelling, bruising, bloody vomit, stool, or urine.
• In the muscles, bones, and joints: pain, bruising, and swelling.

Internal bleeding can lead to organ failure, long-term neurological issues, coma, and death.

Diagnosis of internal bleeding

• Physical exam.
• Imaging tests.
• Lab tests.

Treatment of internal bleeding

• Treating internal bleeding depends on the locations and the cause.
• Minor bleedings can resolve on their own.
• In the case the cause is unknown or the condition is severe, the patient may need vitamin K injections, a blood transfusion, IV fluids, or surgery.