THE bleeding can be defined as an outflow of blood from the blood vessels and the heart. Its causes can be the most varied, and we can highlight extrinsic and intrinsic factors or deficiency in coagulation factors as the main ones.
You extrinsic factors they are related to issues external to our body, such as trauma caused by accidents. You intrinsic factors they are related to problems in the blood vessels or in our own body, such as arteriosclerosis, aneurysms and high blood pressure.
Bleeding can be classified as external or internal. We say that the bleeding is external when the lesion causes blood loss on the surface of the body and is visible on clinical examination. At internal bleeding, we cannot see the blood coming out, as the damage involves the inner part of the body. In the latter case, the problem is relatively greater because, if not observed in time, it can cause serious consequences and even death.
Depending on the injured blood vessel, the bleeding will have different severity. When the rupture occurs in an artery, we notice blood flowing out in abundance, at great speed, and it has a bright red color. This type of injury is extremely serious.
When a vein ruptures, the bleeding is not very intense and the blood is darker in color. It is relatively less serious than arterial one, but delay in care can be extremely dangerous. In capillaries, the blood comes out slowly and the hue is a less vivid red than when compared to arterial blood.
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In cases of bleeding, some measures must be taken. Here are some tips:
- When the injury is in the legs and arms, elevate the injured limb above the level of the chest;
-Cover the wound with a clean cloth or gauze and press the area to stop the bleeding;
- When there is amputation of limbs with profuse bleeding, perform a tourniquet;
- Take the victim to the hospital.
It is important to note that excessive blood loss can lead to shock, which can lead to the victim's death. Therefore, in case of severe bleeding, do not waste time and seek your doctor straight away.
Tip: In case of nosebleed, tilt the victim's head back and wait five minutes. During this period, press your nostril with your fingers.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "What is hemorrhage?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-hemorragia.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.