Internal haemorrhage is a type of haemorrhage that can usually be diagnosed quickly because it most commonly involves bleeding into open spaces in the body. It is worse if it extravasates to closed spaces of the body, such as the peritoneal cavity or the skull cavity. In these cases, the symptoms of internal hemorrhage are more difficult to recognize.

Symptoms of internal hemorrhageusually develop very quickly, as most of the time there is a bleeding from the vessels into the open spaces of the body - the digestive tract or upper respiratory tract. It is worse when blood is extravasated into closed spaces of the body, e.g. into the peritoneal cavity or the pleural cavity. Then only symptoms related to the increase in pressure in these spaces appear. Intracranial and pericardial haemorrhages are more dramatic.

Symptoms of pressure drop, dizziness, fainting, paleness, increased sweating, thirst will be characteristic of all types of internal hemorrhage. Other symptoms depend on the site of extravasation and the extent of the haemorrhage.

Internal haemorrhage - types and symptoms

Intracranial haemorrhage(subdural, epidural, subarachnoid hematoma, stroke) most often manifested by headache, impaired consciousness and finally unconsciousness. It can also cause loss of speech, muscle paralysis and vomiting. Unequal pupils are also characteristic. If there is further blood inflow into the cranial cavity, the consequence will be an increase in intracranial pressure and worsening of the injury, with choking, respiratory disturbance, apnea, and also with deepening shock.

Pulmonary haemorrhagemanifests as severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up a bright red foamy discharge (blood is light colored because it is oxygenated).

Symptoms of bleeding from theupper sectiongastrointestinal resembles coffee grounds (coffee grounds vomit is caused by the contact of extravasated blood with the acids in the stomach). There may also be bloody vomiting, i.e. vomiting with fresh blood.

In the case ofbleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, tarry stools appear, i.e. tarry-black stools, which are the result of digesting blood in the gastrointestinal tract (in the case of minor hemorrhage). Stools mixed with fresh blood may indicate a more massive haemorrhage.

In both cases, symptoms may include severe pain in the stomach or intestines, weakness and fainting.

Important

Some diseases of the digestive system, such as haemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, may be asymptomatic, especially in cases of minor haemorrhages. Then the only way to detect such a hemorrhage is to perform a fecal occult blood test.

For bleeding into the peritoneal cavity, hard abdominal walls and abdominal pain are characteristic.

In turn,genital haemorrhagecan take the form of abnormal, heavy, prolonged periods, or prolonged bleeding outside of the period.

Important

As blood flows, the risk of hypovolemic shock, which is shock caused by the reduced volume of blood in the blood vessels, increases. According to the experience of doctors, arterial ruptures have a worse prognosis. Quick bleeding out and death may occur then.

Category:

Cardiology