Types Of Bleeding And First Aid

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Types of bleeding and first aid

Content:

• What is bleeding?
• Bleeding symptoms
• Arterial bleeding and first aid
• Venous bleeding and first aid
• Capillary bleeding and first aid
• Parenchymal bleeding and first aid
• Gastrointestinal bleeding and first aid
• First aid for bleeding

What is bleeding?

Bleeding is the loss of blood that occurs when blood vessels are damaged. The integrity of blood vessels can be impaired by trauma, purulent fusion, increased blood pressure, and the action of toxins. Changes in blood chemistry can also cause bleeding. It is provoked by a wide range of diseases: sepsis, scarlet fever, hemophilia, jaundice, scurvy, etc.

When bleeding occurs in a body cavity (abdominal, pleural), it is called internal. Bleeding into the tissue is called a hematoma. If any tissue is diffusely saturated with blood, they speak of hemorrhage (into the subcutaneous tissue, brain tissue, etc.)

There are several general classifications of bleeding.

By the time of bleeding can be:

• primary (occur immediately after injury or tissue damage);
• early secondary (occur after a few hours or after injury, before infection enters the wound);
• late secondary (begins after the development of infection in the wound).

Depending on the severity and blood loss, bleeding is:

• first degree (loss of circulating blood no more than 5%);
• second degree (loss of circulating blood about 15%);
• third degree (loss of circulating blood about 30%);
• fourth degree (loss of circulating blood over 30%).

Bleeding symptoms

The symptoms of bleeding depend on the type of bleeding and the type of damaged vessels.

Arterial bleeding occurs when the arteries (carotid, femoral, axillary, etc.) are damaged. It is the most dangerous, since blood is thrown out very quickly, in a pulsating stream. Acute anemia sets in rapidly; the color of blood is bright scarlet. The victim becomes pale, his pulse quickens, blood pressure drops rapidly, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and fainting appear. Death can result from oxygen starvation or cardiac arrest.

Venous bleeding occurs when the integrity of the veins is violated. The blood flows in an even continuous stream and has a dark cherry color. If the intravenous pressure is not too high, the blood can stop spontaneously: a fixed blood clot forms. But exsanguination leads to the appearance of shock phenomena in the body, which often leads to death.

Capillary bleeding is the least dangerous and stops on its own. Blood oozes from the wound, the damaged vessels are not visible. The danger of capillary bleeding is only in diseases that affect blood clotting (hemophilia, sepsis, hepatitis).

Parenchymal bleeding occurs when all blood vessels in the area of injury are damaged. It is dangerous, usually very strong and prolonged.

Also, the symptoms of bleeding may depend on the location of the injury. If bleeding occurs inside the skull, the brain is compressed, a pressing sensation appears in the head, especially in the temporal part. Pleural bleeding (hemothorax) leads to compression of the lung, shortness of breath. Tears in the abdominal organs cause blood to accumulate in it (hemoperitoneum): a person has abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Bleeding into the cavity of the cardiac membrane causes a decrease in the activity of the heart, cyanosis; the venous pressure is increased.

When bleeding occurs inside the joint, its volume increases. When palpating a joint or moving a person feels severe pain. Interstitial hematoma is characterized by swelling, tenderness on palpation, and a sharp pallor of the skin. If treatment is not carried out in time, the hematoma will compress the veins, which can lead to the development of gangrene of the limb.

Arterial bleeding and first aid

Arterial bleeding is one of the most dangerous bleeds that pose a direct threat to human life. This is primarily due to the fact that blood loss is high and intense. Therefore, it is important to know its main signs and first aid rules.

Arteries are blood vessels, blood circulates through them and is delivered to all vital organs. If the artery is damaged as a result of any traumatic factor, then the blood from it begins to flow out. To understand that arterial bleeding is not difficult, it is characterized by such signs as: a bright scarlet color of blood, it is liquid in consistency, does not flow out of the wound, but beats with a powerful stream, similar to a stream in a fountain. There is always a pulsation that occurs in time with the contraction of the heart muscle. Since blood comes out very quickly, a person may experience vasospasm and loss of consciousness.

First aid algorithm for arterial bleeding

First aid rules will vary, depending on where the injury is located and which artery has been damaged:

1. First of all, it is necessary to apply a tourniquet that will prevent blood loss. Before fixing it, it is important to press the injured artery to the bone, above the place where the blood is ejected. If the shoulder is injured, the fist is put into the armpit, and the hand is pressed against the body, if the forearm is injured, lay any object of a suitable size in the elbow bend and bend the arm as much as possible in this joint. If the thigh is injured, the artery is clamped with a fist in the groin area; if the lower leg is injured, an appropriate object is placed in the popliteal area and the leg is bent at the joint.
2. The limb should be raised, a cloth should be put under the tourniquet. When there is no rubber band at hand, it can be replaced with an ordinary bandage or a strip of fabric. For a tighter hold, you can use a regular stick.
3. It is important not to overexpose the tourniquet on the limb, it must be removed after 1 - 1.5 hours, depending on the season. It is best to record the time of its application on paper and put it under a bandage. This must be done so that tissue death does not occur, and limb amputation is not required.
4. When the time for wearing the tourniquet has expired, and the victim is not hospitalized, it is necessary to loosen it for a few minutes. In this case, the wound should be clamped with your hands, using a clean cloth.
5. As soon as possible, deliver the victim to a medical facility, where he will be provided with qualified assistance.

The rules for helping with arterial bleeding from the feet and hands are different. In this case, there is no need to apply a tourniquet. It is enough to bandage the injured area and raise it higher.

When arteries such as the subclavian, iliac, carotid or temporal are injured, the blood is stopped with a tight wound tamponade. To do this, put either sterile cotton wool or sterile napkins into the damaged area, then apply a layer of bandage on top and wrap it tightly.

Read more: First aid for arterial bleeding

Venous bleeding and first aid

Venous bleeding is characterized by the effusion of blood from the veins as a result of their damage. Through the veins, blood flows to the heart from the capillaries that drain organs and tissues.

To understand that a person has venous bleeding, it is necessary to focus on the following signs: the blood is colored dark red or cherry color. It does not pour out like a fountain, but flows out of the wound slowly and fairly evenly. Even if large veins were injured and the bleeding is profuse, there is still no pulsation. If it does, it will be slightly perceptible, which is explained by the irradiation of impulses from the nearby artery.

Venous bleeding is no less dangerous than arterial. In this case, a person may die not only due to abundant blood loss, but also due to the absorption of air through the veins and its delivery to the heart muscle. Air entrapment occurs during inhalation during trauma to a large vein, especially in the neck and is called air embolism.

First aid algorithm for venous bleeding

In this case, there is no need to apply a tourniquet and the first aid rules are as follows:

1. If the vein of the limb is injured, then it must be raised up. This is done in order to reduce blood flow to the damaged area.
2. Then you should start applying a pressure bandage. There is an individual dressing bag for this purpose. If this is not at hand, then a clean napkin or cloth folded several times is applied to the wound, after which it is wrapped with a bandage on top. You need to put a scarf on top of the bandage.
3. The place of application of such a bandage is below the site of injury. It is important to apply the bandage tightly and in a circle, otherwise it will only provoke an increase in the output of blood.
4. The criterion for assessing the correctness of the actions performed is the absence of bleeding and the presence of pulsation below the wound site.
5. When there is no clean tissue at hand, you should grip the injured limb in the joint as much as possible, or pinch the place just below the blood outlet with your fingers.
6. The victim should be hospitalized in any case.

Sometimes, with severe bleeding, it is not possible to stop it with a bandage alone. In this case, it is advisable to use a tourniquet. It is applied below the wound due to the way blood is delivered to the heart muscle through the veins.

Read more: First aid for venous bleeding

Capillary bleeding and first aid

Capillary bleeding is the most common bleeding. It does not pose a threat to human life, since capillaries are the smallest vessels that permeate all tissues and organs. It has its own distinctive features. The blood flowing from the capillaries has a bright scarlet color, the discharge is not intense, since the pressure in this case will be minimal, there is no pulsation at all.

Algorithm for first aid for capillary bleeding

The rule of first aid for capillary bleeding is simple.

In this case, the imposition of a tourniquet is not required, it is enough to limit ourselves to the following actions:

1. Rinse and disinfect the wound.
2. The injured area should be tightened tightly, but in such a way as not to disrupt the flow of arterial and venous blood, that is, not too much.
3. Apply cold to the wound site, which will promote vasoconstriction.

If a person has a superficial wound and there are no other injuries, then he does not need hospitalization.

Read more: First aid for capillary bleeding

Parenchymal bleeding and first aid

Parenchymal bleeding is bleeding that occurs in internal organs, which is characterized by profuse blood loss. It can only be stopped by surgical intervention. The organs of the parenchyma include the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Since their tissue is extremely delicate, even minor trauma to it leads to profuse bleeding.

To determine parenchymal bleeding, you need to focus on the following signs: general weakness, dizziness, fainting, pale skin, low pulsation with a rapid heartbeat, drop in blood pressure. Depending on which organ was injured or sick, it will be possible to suspect parenchymal bleeding of the lungs, liver, kidneys, etc.

First aid algorithm for parenchymal bleeding

Since this type of blood loss is dangerous for human life, it is necessary to act quickly:

1. The victim should be sent to a medical facility as soon as possible. If there is no way to call an ambulance, then you need to go on your own.
2. Neither pressure bandages nor the application of tourniquets in this case will affect the amount of blood lost.
3. Before the arrival of a medical team, a person needs peace. To do this, lay him in a horizontal position, and slightly raise his legs.
4. Apply cold to the area where bleeding is suspected. If the transportation of the patient to the medical institution is delayed, then you can use such means as: Vikasol, Etamsilat, Aminocaproic acid.

Only a surgeon is able to stop parenchymal bleeding. Depending on the nature of the damage, complex sutures will be applied, emobilization and electrocoagulation of the vessels, suturing of the omentum and other surgical methods of influence will be performed. In some cases, parallel blood transfusion and the use of saline solutions are required.

Gastrointestinal bleeding and first aid

Gastrointestinal bleeding deserves special attention, as they are life-threatening conditions. It is important not to miss the first signs of such blood loss and seek help from a specialist in time. Among them, the following can be distinguished: bloody vomiting with brown impurities, the presence of liquid bloody stools, pallor of the skin, increased heart rate with low blood pressure, general weakness, accompanied by dizziness, and sometimes loss of consciousness.

First aid algorithm for gastrointestinal bleeding

In order to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, a person must be taken to a hospital.

However, first aid will be as follows:

1. A person needs complete peace. To do this, it is best to put him in bed.
2. A cold heating pad or ice pack should be placed on the abdomen.
3. You can chop some ice and give the person in small portions to swallow it.
4. Take the victim to the hospital.

Read more: Causes, symptoms, first aid and diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding

First aid for bleeding

The provision of first aid for any type of bleeding is either a complete stop or a slowdown in blood loss until the victim is in the hands of a specialist. It is important to be able to distinguish between types of bleeding and to be able to correctly use the available means to stop them. Although it is better to have bandages, cotton wool, a tourniquet, an individual dressing bag and disinfectants in your home first-aid kit and in your personal vehicle. Two important rules for the provision of first aid - do not harm a person and act promptly, because in some cases every minute is important.

In order to properly provide first aid for bleeding, you need:

• Apply a tourniquet above the wound if bleeding is arterial.
• Apply tampons and bandages below the wound if the bleeding is venous.
• Disinfect and bandage the wound if bleeding is capillary.
• Put the person in a horizontal position, apply cold to the injured area and deliver him to the hospital as soon as possible if the bleeding is parenchymal or gastrointestinal.

It is important to properly squeeze a vein or vessel in order to gain time and have time to deliver a person to the hospital, or transfer it to an ambulance team. The doctors who came to the call, if everything is done correctly, will not bandage a tourniquet or bandage. They can give a person an intravenous injection of Vicasol solutions, or Calcium Chloride, or another hemostatic agent, measure blood pressure, and, if necessary, administer drugs to normalize cardiac activity. Then the person will be handed over to the hands of the surgeon.

Knowing the basic rules, you can one day save the life of not only another person, but also yourself.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.