Haemorrhage and Its Complications

Haemorrhage

• Blood leaks from blood vessels due to damage.
• Can be exacerbated by clotting issues.
• Occurs in various scenarios: chronically congested tissues, trauma, atherosclerosis.
• Severity depends on affected blood vessel size.
• Increased likelihood of bleeding in hemorrhagic diatheses, inherited or acquired disorders affecting blood vessels, platelets, or clotting factors.

Haemorrhage Forms

• External bleeding: Blood leaks outside the body.
• Internal bleeding: Blood accumulates in tissues (hematomas).
• Hematoma examples:
  • Ecchymoses: Bruises.
  • Hemothorax: Bleeding in the chest.
  • Hemopericardium: Bleeding around the heart.
  • Hemoperitoneum: Bleeding in the abdominal cavity.
  • Hemarthrosis: Bleeding in joints.

Haemorrhage Complications

• Jaundice: Possible with large haemorrhages due to hemoglobin breakdown.
• Hypovolemic shock: Life-threatening condition resulting from significant blood loss.
• Iron deficiency anemia: Potential consequence of chronic or repeated blood loss.

Skin Manifestations of Haemorrhage

• Petechiae: Tiny red or purple spots on the skin, mucous membranes, or serosa surfaces due to small bleedings under the surface.
  • Tiny, clustered, don't change colour when pressed.
  • Can indicate clotting issues, infection, or medication reaction.
• Purpura: Larger purple or red spots on the skin, similar to petechiae but bigger and more spread out.
  • Occur when small blood vessels burst.
  • Don't fade with time, often indicating an underlying health problem.
• Ecchymosis: Bruises.
  • Blood leaks from small blood vessels under the skin, causing discoloration.
  • Area turns purple, blue, or black due to hemoglobin conversion to bilirubin and then hemosiderin.
  • Can take days or weeks to heal as the body breaks down trapped blood.
  • Typically caused by injury or trauma, but can also be caused by health conditions or medications affecting blood clotting.

Clinical Consequences of Haemorrhage

• Severity depends on blood volume lost, bleeding speed, location, and individual health.
• Healthy adults can tolerate up to 20% blood volume loss without serious effects.
• Pre-existing heart or lung issues increase vulnerability to blood loss.
• Minor external bleeding is usually less serious than internal bleeding in critical areas like the brain.
• Chronic or repeated blood loss can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
• Internal bleeding typically doesn't cause iron deficiency due to efficient iron recycling from destroyed red blood cells.

This quiz covers the concept of haemorrhage, including its causes, forms, and various complications that can arise due to blood loss. Explore critical terms like external and internal bleeding, different types of hematomas, and the potential complications such as jaundice and hypovolemic shock. Test your knowledge on this essential topic in pathology.