Critical Locations of Internal Bleeding

Even though any organ can be damaged and lead to internal bleeding, there are certain regions in the body that are considered most serious and require medical attention immediately.

• Intracranial hemorrhage (head)
• Hemopericardium (heart)
• Hemothorax (lungs)
• Center of the body where large blood vessels are located

Causes of Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding often occurs after major physical injury, usually due to trauma. There are two main types of trauma that may lead to internal bleeding:

• Penetrating trauma
  • Penetration of foreign object in the body, creating a hole in one or more blood vessels
  • E.g. stab wounds, gunshot wounds, falling onto sharp objects
  • Blunt trauma
    • Collision of a body part with another strong force, usually at high speed
    • Blood vessels inside the body are crushed or torn by blunt objects
    • E.g. falls, physical assaults, car accidents
    • Others
      • Fractures
      • Pregnancy
      • Alcohol abuse
      • Medication

Symptoms of Internal Bleeding

External bleeding is easier to identify because it is obvious from a cut, abrasion or laceration, the greater challenge is to detect internal bleeding. However,extensive external bleeding should be associated with internal bleeding, especially if due to penetrating trauma. In cases of severe internal bleeding, injury is typically obvious and serious.  Symptoms will differ based on the type of trauma, amount of blood lost and the body region involved:

• Typically, inflammation and pain
• Light-headedness, dizziness and unconsciousness if there is severe blood loss
• Ecchymosis (deeply purple skin) if in the skin and soft tissues
• Swelling and stiffness often if in the limbs
• Blood in vomit or stools if in gastrointestinal tract
• Swelling and abdominal pain if in the liver or spleen
• Headache, confusion and unconsciousness if in the brain

First Aid for Internal Bleeding

If one is unsure, it is always better to assume to worst and treat

for internal bleeding. If possible, have someone call for an ambulance immediately. Give first aid while waiting for the ambulance.

• If possible, wear gloves in case external bleeding occurs.
• Check for airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary, initiate CPR.
• If he victim is conscious, advice the victim lie down and elevate the legs if possible.
• If the victim is unconscious and breathing and with no apparent head, neck or spinal injury, place the victim in recovery position.
• Cover the victim with a coat or blanket to avoid shock. However, if symptoms of shock are observed, treat for shock.
• Consistently check and monitor vital signs. Do not leave the victim alone at all times.

Internal bleeding is a medical emergency and giving first aid might just help save a life. Enrolling in first aid courses can help treat and manage victims of medical emergencies, especially those with bleeding, whether internally or externally, injuries.

The post Internal Bleeding: Critical Locations, Cause, Symptoms and First Aid appeared first on Lifeguard First Aid.

Disclaimer: the material posted on this blog on urinary retention is for information purposes only. Consult your doctor if you have any questions. To learn basic first aid and CPR  enrol in a St Mark James program today.

Risk factors

Some of the risk factors associated with urinary retention are as follows:

• Abdominal injury
• Abnormal bladder or abnormal urethra
• Elderly
• Bladder surgery
• Prostate enlargement
• Prostate cancer
• Herpes genitalis
• Hematuria
• General anesthesia
• Kidney stones
• Spinal cord injury
• Spinal cord tumor
• Spinal stenosis
• Side effects of certain medication such as antihistamine medications, anti-inflammatory medications or anticholinergic medications
• Urethral surgery
• Urethral stricture
• Urinary tract infections

Causes of urinary retention

Common causes of urinary retention include:

• Anxiety and distress
• Bladder stones
• Bladder injury
• Bladder surgery
• Herpes genitalis
• General anesthesia
• Side effects of certain medications
• Prostate enlargement
• Prostate cancer
• Prostatitis
• Spinal cord injury
• Injury to the urethra: genitourinary injury

Signs and symptoms of urinary retention

Common signs and symptoms of urinary retention include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Inability to urinate
• Increased urge to urinate
• Decreased urination – very small amounts of urine is being passed out
• Lower abdominal swelling due to bladder swelling
• Back pain, particularly in the lower back
• Excessive sweating
• Blood or blood clots in the urine

Complications

Complications that may arise as a result of urinary retention include:

• Kidney abscess
• Acute pyelonephritis
• Kidney failure
• Kidney disease
• Urinary tract infection

When to seek medical attention

Seek immediate medical help if any of the symptoms or problems results along with urinary retention:

• You are unable to urinate
• You feel pain while urinating
• Your urine is cloudy
• Your urinary frequency has increased drastically
• You are suffering from hematuria: blood in the urine, blood clots in the urine or red/pink urine
• Your lower abdominal pain is worsening
• Your lower back pain is worsening
• You are suffering from flank pain
• You are suffering from a fever of over 101 F or 38.3 C

Treatment

If you suffer from any of the symptoms of urinary retention, see you doctor immediately.

Treatment usually depends on the underlying cause of the urinary retention.

Initial treatment involves the insertion of the urinary catheter into your bladder. This will drain the urine from the urinary bladder to resolve the symptoms of urinary retention. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the condition.

Surgery may be required, depending on the underlying cause, for example, to remove an obstruction in the urethra which is causing the urinary retention.

After getting the necessary treatment, follow these home treatment steps:

• Drink plenty of liquids
• Take medication as directed and prescribed by your health care provider. Avoid skipping doses and familiarize yourself with the common side effects of the prescribed medication

Prevention

Prevention of urinary retention involves the following lifestyle changes:

• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid sedatives and antihistamines in case you have an enlarged prostate
• When you feel the urge to urinate, do not postpone it
• Do not rush when you are in the bathroom, allow your bladder to empty itself completely

Learn More

To learn more about basic first aid and CPR training enrol in St Mark James first aid training (enrol here) with a provider near you.

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