Probably there is no such person who does not know what bleeding is. In everyday life, at work, we often get injured, as a result of which the skin is damaged, and, accordingly, the blood vessels passing through them.
To provide first aid at such moments to yourself or your loved one, you need to be able to distinguish between types of bleeding and know what to do in each case to stop the bleeding.
What is bleeding?
Almost everyone is able to give the correct answer to this question. This is an outpouring of blood through the walls of blood vessels as a result of damage to their integrity. The nature of these injuries may or may not be traumatic.
If we exclude trauma, then the vessels may suffer in the presence of a disease process in the body.
Varieties of bleeding
Classification of bleeding is different, depending on which factor is taken into account. Usually considered:
- Reasons for bleeding.
- A type of blood vessel that has been damaged.
- How does the outpouring of liquid occur relative to the external environment.
- Time to start bleeding.
- The nature of the flow of blood.
- Severity of injury.
According to all considered criteria, bleeding is divided into subgroups.
If we consider the causes of bleeding, then the following types are distinguished:
As a result of the development of pathological processes in the body:
- Peritonitis.
- Inflammation.
- Tumours.
2. Mechanical damage to a blood vessel:
- Cut wounds.
- Abrasions.
3. If vascular permeability is impaired:
- Scarlet fever.
- Sepsis.
- Vitamin C deficiency.
Bleeding can occur from any vessel, and since there are several varieties in the body, there are:
- Arterial bleeding.
- Venous.
- Capillary.
- Mixed.
- Parenchymal.
Bleeding in relation to the external environment can be:
- External bleeding.
- Internal.
When considering the types of bleeding, depending on the time of occurrence and nature, the following groups are distinguished:
- Primary pathology, in this case, bleeding occurs immediately after injury or injury.
- Secondary is characterized by the appearance of blood loss several hours or even days after the operation.
The nature of bleeding happens:
- Acute, when blood flows out in large portions in a short period of time.
- Chronic bleeding usually lasts for days, sometimes months. Blood flows out in small portions.
Another classification of bleeding by severity:
- Lung, little blood flow.
- Average, a person can lose up to 1-1.5 liters of body fluid.
- Heavy, leaking more than 1.5 liters.
- Dangerous bleeding is defined as the loss of more than 2 liters of blood.
Causes of bleeding
Most often, the culprits of bleeding are various injuries and wounds, for example, cuts, gunshot wounds, the consequences of careless handling of piercing and cutting objects.
This applies to both external and internal bleeding. But there are cases when blood loss begins without external influence, that is, spontaneously, some diseases provoke bleeding, for example:
- In the genital area (uterine bleeding).
- Tuberculosis.
- With oncological pathologies of the lungs.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- A stomach ulcer bleeds.
- Blood diseases.
Separately, we can say about nosebleeds, they can be triggered by the following factors:
- If the choroid plexuses in the nasal septum are too superficial.
- Injuries to the nose.
- Foreign body in the nose, common in preschool children.
- Various tumors in the nasal cavity.
- Deviated septum.
- Disordered structure of the nasal mucosa, for example, with syphilis, tuberculosis, diphtheria.
- Chronic liver disease.
- High blood pressure.
The reasons clearly demonstrate that such bleeding can signal serious problems in the body.
Bleeding symptoms
If external bleeding is always easy to diagnose, because blood flows out of the damaged vessel, then it is not so easy to detect internal blood loss.
Since internal bleeding often occurs after injuries, accidents, severe bruises, for example, as a result of a fight, it is necessary to know at least some indirect signs in order to provide assistance in time and deliver the victim to the hospital.
There are some symptoms that may indicate damage to internal organs:
- Pale skin.
- Weakness.
- Dizziness.
- Appearance of cough with blood.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Cold sweat.
- The pulse becomes frequent.
- Blood pressure drops.
- Anemia is on the rise.
All these signs cannot, of course, accurately indicate the presence of internal bleeding, but you will have to undergo an examination to find out.
First aid for arterial bleeding
This type of bleeding is the most dangerous, since arteries are large vessels through which blood moves under great pressure. To determine such bleeding is quite simple: blooddoes not flow out, but flows like a fountain and has a bright red color.
Aid for bleeding from large arteries is aimed at stopping blood loss, as a person can quickly lose a lot of blood, which can be life-threatening.
To prevent the loss of a large amount of blood, the following actions are often carried out:
- Give the affected area a lift.
- A tourniquet is applied.
- Maximum limb flexion.
When arterial bleeding is detected, it is necessary to stop blood loss as soon as possible, for this you need to press the artery above the injury site with your finger. But this is only a temporary measure, which is not able to eliminate bleeding, in order to completely eliminate it, it is necessary to apply a tourniquet, if possible.
It is also necessary to apply a tourniquet with skill, adhering to some recommendations:
- A tourniquet is applied above the wound so as to completely clamp the damaged artery.
- You can not apply a tourniquet when bleeding on a naked body, be sure to put a napkin under it or do it directly on clothes.
- When applying a tourniquet, it is necessary to make several turns until the blood stops completely, and the ends are firmly fixed.
- A note must be made indicating the overlay time. In the warm season, the tourniquet can remain on the limb for up to 1.5-2 hours, and in winter only about an hour.
- If the time has expired and the victim has not yet been delivered tohospital, then the tourniquet must be loosened for a few minutes, and then tightened again. Subsequent weakening may be shorter in time.
- After applying a tourniquet, the victim will still have to be taken to the hospital.
Stopping venous bleeding
This external bleeding is distinguished by darker blood compared to arterial blood, it flows out in a continuous stream without shocks. Despite the fact that it is much easier to stop venous bleeding, it also poses a certain danger to human life.
When veins are injured, especially those located on the neck, there is a danger of embolism. This is the suction of air through the wound, which can enter the heart, and this is already fatal.
Since the veins have rather soft and elastic walls, bleeding after injury can be stopped with a pressure bandage. A sterile napkin should be applied to the wound, and tightly wrapped with a bandage on top. At the same time, the ends of the damaged veins close, the bleeding stops.
First aid measures for capillary bleeding
Everyone probably knows that such bleeding is considered the safest. It does not require emergency medical care; one napkin or bandage and an antiseptic agent are enough to stop it.
Such bleeding accompany almost everyone in childhood. Who does not remember their constantly knocked down knees, elbows after falling off a bicycle or playing catch-up.
Treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply a cleannapkin or wrap with a bandage. Usually, after such a procedure, young researchers are ready for further exploits.
Doctor's actions to stop bleeding
After a victim is admitted to the hospital with bleeding, the actions of medical professionals are as follows:
- Inspection of the wound site.
- Cleaning the wound to prevent infection.
- Remove bleeding conditions.
- Applying a tight bandage or sutures if required for a large wound.
- Prescribing antibiotic therapy if there is a risk of bacterial infection of the wound.
- If needed, administer tetanus toxoid injection.
After all the assistance provided, the victim is usually allowed to go home. This does not apply to situations with internal bleeding. In this case, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of blood loss and treat the disease that caused the bleeding. The victim may be left in the hospital for an indefinite period of time, which will be required for treatment.
Relief of internal bleeding
Help with internal bleeding requires special experience and attention, as the life of the victim depends on it. The difficulty is that such blood loss is quite difficult to detect. They are signaled only by indirect signs that were discussed above.
When providing first aid for internal bleeding, it is necessary to ensure that the victim, first of all, rest.
- If the bleeding is in the abdominal cavity, then the victim should be laid on his back and apply cold.
- Whenchest bleeding should give the person a semi-sitting position.
- If there is blood in the mouth, then put the victim on his stomach, and turn his head to the side.
- Take the person to the hospital as soon as possible, as all first aid measures are not able to completely stop this bleeding, and this can be life-threatening for the victim.
On the way to a medical facility, it is necessary to constantly monitor the patient's condition, pay attention to his appearance, the presence of consciousness, periodically check the frequency and strength of the pulse, if possible, then blood pressure.
First Aid for Nosebleeds
When blood comes from the nose, and even more so bleeding in clots, it is necessary to take all measures to stop it as soon as possible. To do this, you need to do:
- Seat the victim and tilt forward a little, this will prevent blood from draining into the oral cavity and it will be clearly visible from which nostril it flows.
- Don't tip your head back as this will cause blood to run down your throat, which can trigger a gag reflex.
- Put something cold on your nose, it could be a piece of ice, a wet towel.
- You can try to press the wing of the nose against the septum on the side of the bleeding. If it's all about the characteristics of the choroid plexus, usually after 5-10 minutes the bleeding stops.
- You can insert swabs moistened with hydrogen peroxide or vasoconstrictor drops into the nasal passage.
- IfNosebleeds are caused by the presence of a foreign body in it, then you should not try to get it yourself, as you can only push it even deeper.
- After the bleeding has stopped, you should not blow your nose and do heavy physical activity so as not to provoke blood loss again.
- If no measures help stop the bleeding, then the victim must be urgently hospitalized to determine the cause of the bleeding.
Bleeding with peptic ulcer disease
With a stomach or duodenal ulcer, one of the complications is ulcerative bleeding. It occurs in 15-20% of patients during an exacerbation of the disease. Although there are cases when this happens during the remission period after strong physical exertion or nervous tension.
You can identify such bleeding by the following signs:
- Vomiting blood.
- Stools are almost black in color, usually observed 6-8 hours after the start of bleeding.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea and occasional fainting.
- Frequent heartbeat.
- Pale skin.
- Blood pressure drops.
When these signs appear, especially the first two, it is urgent to call an ambulance. Before arriving on the epigastric region, you can put a cold heating pad or ice, lay the patient on his side. At this time, you can not eat anything and refrain from drinking.
Most cases of ulcer perforation require surgeryan intervention that could save a person's life.
Consequences of bleeding
Any bleeding needs to be stopped immediately, as it can threaten a person's life. With blood loss, the following symptoms begin to appear:
- As a result of blood loss, blood pressure drops dramatically.
- Hemoglobin levels drop, which can harm the brain.
- With slow bleeding, when they continue for a long time, the body adapts, but anemia develops.
- With internal bleeding, there is a danger, especially when localization is not established, that this will lead to compression of the brain, lungs, and heart. This will lead to disruption of the internal organs.
- Flowing blood into the body is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.
- If the victim is not given first aid, and then medical, then this can end in failure, even death.
Memo for everyone
Everyone may be faced with a situation where they have to provide first aid for bleeding. You can make some kind of memo for yourself that will help you navigate a difficult situation.
- If the victim is in shock as a result of blood loss, then he must be urgently taken to the hospital.
- In case of suspected internal bleeding, qualified doctors should also provide assistance.
- If a person has been bitten and bleeds,squeeze the wound, rinse well in cold water and give it a position above the heart.
- If there is a slight bleeding, it is enough to treat the wound with peroxide and bandage it.
- In case of a laceration or a severe cut, it is necessary to apply a sterile bandage and take the person to the hospital so that doctors can provide qualified assistance. Over the bandage, you can squeeze the wound to reduce blood loss.
Everyone in life may have a situation when they need to provide assistance, so any competent person should have basic knowledge of what bleeding is and what assistance should be provided to the victim. The life of a loved one may depend on it.
