Haemorrhage: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

• Haemorrhage, also spelled hemorrhage, refers to bleeding or the escape of blood from the blood vessels.

Types of Haemorrhage

• Internal Haemorrhage: bleeding that occurs within the body, such as in the abdomen or chest cavity.
• External Haemorrhage: bleeding that occurs outside the body, such as from a cut or wound.

Causes of Haemorrhage

• Trauma or injury
• Surgery or medical procedures
• Bleeding disorders (e.g. haemophilia)
• Cancer and its treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, radiation)
• Medications (e.g. anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents)

Symptoms of Haemorrhage

• Signs of bleeding (e.g. visible blood, bruising)
• Pain or discomfort
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rapid heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Treatment of Haemorrhage

• Compression: applying pressure to the bleeding site to stop the bleeding
• Elevation: elevating the affected limb above heart level to reduce bleeding
• Tourniquet: using a tourniquet to constrict the blood flow to the affected area
• Surgery: surgical intervention to repair or remove the bleeding source
• Blood transfusions: replacing lost blood with donated blood

Complications of Haemorrhage

• Shock: inadequate blood flow to organs and tissues
• Organ failure: failure of organs due to inadequate blood flow
• Death: if haemorrhage is severe and untreated