How can internal bleeding be detected

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Shin splint stretches can reduce pain, speed up recovery time, and prevent further injury. Find out the best stretches and tips to prevent shin…. Trauma centers provide immediate definitive care to severely injured people. Depending on the U.

Unexplained bruising on the legs may be a symptom of a forgotten injury. However, in some cases, the cause could be an underlying condition. Internal bleeding: What you need to know. Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Complications When to see a doctor Internal bleeding, also known as hemorrhaging, is bleeding that occurs inside the body when a blood vessel is damaged.

Share on Pinterest Internal bleeding may cause a bruise to appear at the affected site. Share on Pinterest Injury or trauma may cause a hemorrhage. Other potential causes include medication and gastrointestinal conditions. Share on Pinterest Computed tomography CT may be used to diagnose internal bleeding accurately and identify the extent of the hemorrhage. When to see a doctor. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? An X-ray shows an image of your bones. A CT scan is an advanced X-ray that can see bones, tissues, and blood vessels. Angiography is an imaging test that can carefully examine individual blood vessels. The first goal of treatment is to find the source of the bleeding and stop it. Some bleeding can be minor and may stop on its own. Other cases are more severe and may require more in-depth measures, including surgery.

Rest gives your body time to heal while it reabsorbs the blood and the inflammation decreases. A few additional treatment techniques may be necessary for slow bleeds once the cause is identified and treated. However, some causes of internal bleeding need greater treatment. Surgery may be necessary to stop the bleeding and clean out any pooled blood. The type of surgery you need depends on how severe the bleeding is, where the bleeding is, and your overall health. After the bleeding stops, treatment will focus on repairing any damage and stabilizing your body.

Depending on the severity, untreated internal bleeding can lead to organ failure, coma, and in some cases death. Even with treatment, severe internal bleeding can result in death.

Without quick treatment, you may experience lasting effects. For example, bleeding in the brain may cause a stroke or long-term brain damage. You may need physical, occupational, and speech therapy to relearn certain behaviors and activities. Not all types of internal bleeding cause pain and there are times when they are manageable.

However, some cases can be severe and cause organ failure. Also, symptoms of internal bleeding may not be immediately noticeable. For example, in the case of blunt force trauma, it may take a few hours before the patient notices something different in his body. In cases wherein internal bleeding warrants immediate care, such as in the case of blunt force trauma or a vehicular accident, emergency physician will handle the situation.

Otherwise, a surgeon is called to stop the bleeding and repair the site. Internal bleeding can be diagnosed in many ways. If the number of red blood cells is low, this indicates possible anemia and internal bleeding. It may also be determined through monitoring vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate.

To assess the overall condition of the suspected bleeding site, imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI scan may be performed. Monitoring and observation — This may be carried out when the bleeding is only mild. There is a good chance that the body will create a clot soon and stop the bleeding by itself. Blood transfusion — If the blood loss is quite severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary to increase red blood cell count. Some bleeding disorders may require regular transfusion.

Surgery — Surgery is conducted to stop the bleeding at the source such as that the surgeon may seal the openings like a broken blood vessel. A craniotomy is also another example. It refers to opening the skull to allow the buildup of blood in the brain to drain.

Change of medications — Anticoagulants may be stopped for a while or the prescription details like dosage and number of intake changed. The skin over the neck and upper abdomen may also feel crinkly, like bubble wrap, due the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissues. With blood in the chest hemothorax , pain usually changes significantly when people move into different positions.

Bleeding into the abdomen may result in swelling of the abdomen and diffuse pain. When a doctor places a stethoscope on the abdomen, bowel sounds may be absent. As noted earlier, bruising around the umbilicus or on the flank strongly suggests internal bleeding.

Certainly, bleeding into the esophagus or stomach may induce vomiting blood, while bleeding in the lower digestive tract may cause rectal bleeding. Retroperitoneal Area.

Bleeding from the kidneys and other tissues in the retroperitoneal region may cause blood to appear in urine. Symptoms of shock may occur before any specific symptoms are noted, as large amounts of blood may be lost in this region before any specific symptoms occur. Bones, Joints, and Muscles. Bleeding associated with bones, joints, and soft tissues may cause extensive bruising.

It may also, however, result in skin that is very pale and tight when compartment syndrome occurs. Pain is very common, as well as decreased mobility of joints as the joint space or surrounding areas fill with blood and swell.

Bleeding can cause different symptoms or raise special concerns in some groups of people. In addition to the underlying cause of bleeding, blood loss itself may result in further complications. Unlike adults, children may not be able to express some of the symptoms of internal bleeding noted above.

Instead of complaining of pain, they may become fussy, cry continually, or become difficult to console. They may have a poor appetite, or refuse to eat completely. Changes in mental status can be very important to note. A child who normally loves to play may become lethargic. Neurological symptoms can also be challenging to discern. Instead of complaining of blurry vision, a child may walk into a wall.

Instead of complaining of extremity pain, they may begin to limp. Bleeding during pregnancy is never normal, and any significant pain in the pelvis should be investigated immediately.

Early on in pregnancy, the most common cause is a miscarriage, although ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening cause. Later on, placenta previa, placental abruptions, or uterine rupture can cause bleeding. Complications such as these are often associated with external bleeding from the vagina, but this is not always the case. For example, significant bleeding may occur with an abruption or with a ruptured uterus without external signs if the baby is positioned in a way that prevents blood from passing through the cervix.

Many people are confused about the precise meaning of shock , or at least the type of shock that is considered a medical emergency. Adequate blood pressure and an adequate volume of blood is needed to deliver oxygen to the tissues of the body. When this fails to occur and when the tissues are deprived of oxygen hypoxia , the body first compensates by trying to increase blood pressure and blood flow.

Heart rate increases. Blood vessels to the arms and legs constrict to keep enough blood perfusing vital organs causing cool and clammy extremities. If these measures are not sufficient, tissues of the bodies fail to receive oxygen and begin to die. Tissue Death. All of the tissues of the body depend on receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients, but some organs are more sensitive than others to blood loss and shock.

When the kidneys are damaged, not only does tissue death begin, but the kidneys then fail to play their role in managing the complex actions needed to maintain homeostasis in the body. When oxygenated blood fails to adequately nourish the coronary arteries, the heart muscle begins to die. The heart, in turn, is then less able to play its role in maintaining blood flow to the rest of the body.

Fortunately, emergent measures to restore blood pressure and blood volume can often protect vital organs before this issue. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening, and often times emergent treatment can be lifesaving. It's important to call not take the time to call a doctor if you are having severe abdominal or chest pain, if you are experiencing severe shortness of breath, if you feel lightheaded as if you may faint , or if you experience any neurological symptoms such as vision changes.

If you are with someone who shows any of the signs of internal bleeding, call as well. Keep in mind that delayed bleeding after trauma is not uncommon, whether that may be due to a partially ruptured spleen or due to a slowly leaking subdural hematoma. It's always better to be safe and make an appointment if you have any concerns at all.

Yes, it is possible not to show symptoms when experiencing internal bleeding.