8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

1/6

Life threatening Emergency Bleeding

Definition

Bleeding It is the escape of the blood from arteries, veins or capillaries.

Hemorrhage It is the large amount of bleeding occurring in small amount of time.It can be of two types internal and external.

Blood and blood vessels Blood components : It consists of li uid and solid component and comprisesapproximately ! percent of body"s total weight. #he li uid part of blood is $nown asplasma . #he solid components are Red blood cells, White blood cells Platelets .

Plasma is the fluid that ma$es up about half of the total blood volume. %ontains mostlyof water, plasma contains the blood volume needed for normal function of the circulatorysystem. It also contains nutrients essential for energy production, growth, and cellmaintenance, and carries waste products for elimination.

White Blood Cells are a $ey disease fighting part of the immune system. #hey defendthe body against invading microorganisms. #hey also aid in producing antibodies thathelp the body resist infections.

Red Blood Cells account for most solid components of the blood. #hey are produced inthe bone marrow in the hollow center of large bones such as large bone of the arm andthigh. It numbers nearly &'( million in each drop of blood. #he )B% transports oxygenfrom the lungs to the body cells and carbon dioxide from body cells to the lungs.

Platelets are the disc shaped structures in the blood that are made up of cell fragments. Itis essential part of blood clotting mechanism because of their tendency to bind together.#hey help stop bleeding by forming blood clots at wound sites. Blood clots form theframewor$ for healing. *ntil blood clot forms bleeding must be controlled artificially.

Blood Functions

+. #ransporting xygen, nutrients and wastes.&. -rotecting against disease by producing antibodies and defending against germs.

. /aintaining constant body temperature by circulating throughout body.

Blood Vessels

Arteries carry oxygen0rich blood away from the heart.1rteries become smaller throughout the body until they connect to the capillaries.

8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

2/6

Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels lin$s arteries and veins.#hey transfer oxygen and other nutrient from blood into the cells.%apillaries pic$ up waste products from the cells and move them into the veins.

he veins carry waste products from the cells to the $idneys, intestines, and lungs, wherewaste products are eliminated.

Because blood in the arteries is closer to the pumping action of the heart, blood in thearteries travel faster and under great pressure than the blood in the capillaries or veins.Blood flows in the arteries pulses with the heartbeat2 blood in the veins flows moreslowly and evenly.

When bleeding occurs

3hen bleeding occurs the body begins a complex chain of events. #he brain, heart, and lungs immediately attempts to compensate for blood loss in

order to maintain flow of oxygen0rich blood to the body, particularly to the vitalorgans.

ther important reaction also occurs at the microscopic level. -latelets collect at the wound site in an effort to stop blood loss through clotting. 3hite blood cells prevent infection by attac$ing microorganisms that commonly

enters through brea$s in the s$in. #he body manufactures extra red cells to help transport more oxygen to the cells. Blood volume is also affected by the bleeding. 4ormally excessive fluid is absorbed from the blood stream by $idneys, lungs,

intestinal tract, and s$in. 5owever, when bleeding occurs, this excessive fluid isreabsorbed into the bloodstream as plasma. #his helps to maintain critical

balance of fluid needed by the body to $eep blood volume con stant.

!"ternal bleeding

It occurs when the blood vessels is opened externally, such as through tear in the s$in.Each type of blood vessel bleeds differently.

Arterial bleeding is often rapid and profuse, since there is more pressure in the arteriesthan in vein there is difficulty in clotting of blood. #he high concentration of oxygengives arterial blood bright red color#

Venous bleeding is easier to control than arterial bleeding. 6eins are damaged moreoften as they are often more closer to the s$in surface. 7ue to less pressure in the veinsthe flow of blood is steady, without sprouting. nly damage to veins deep in the body,such as those in the trun$ or thigh, produces profuse bleeding that is hard to control.Because it is oxygen0poor, venous blood is dar$ red or maroon in color.

8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

3/6

Capillar% bleeding , the most common type of bleeding, is usually slow because thevessels are small and the blood is under low pressure. It is often described as 8oo9ingfrom the wound. %lotting occurs easily the blood is usually less red than arterial blood.

Control of !"ternal Bleeding

Direct pressure pressure created by directly placing hand over the wound can control bleeding. #he pressure restricts the blood flow thus the clotting ta$es place easily.Elevating the in;ured area also slows the blood flow and encourages the blood clotting.-ressure on wound can be maintained by snugly applying a bandage to the in;ured areathis is $nown as -ressure Bandage.

1lthough rare, in some cases of severe bleeding, direct pressure or elevation of thewounded area may not control bleeding. In these cases, you will have to compress theartery supplying the area against an underlying bone at specific sites on the body. #hese

sites are $nown as pressure point.#he pulse can be ta$en best where the artery can be pressed against a bone. #he various pressure points are

+. &ec$ or carotid pressure point It is located at the point of triangle between theshaded muscle which runs from the ear to the collar bone and the musclescovering the voice box

8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

4/6

)# Wh% should 'e not remove blood soa$ed pads from the 'ound 'hen tr%ing tocontrol the bleeding*

+nternal bleeding it is the escape of blood from arteries, veins and capillaries into thespaces in the body. %apillary bleeding, indicated by mild bruising, is beneath the s$in is

not serious. 5owever, deeper bleeding involves arteries and veins and results in severe blood loss.It can be caused by

1 violent blunt force such as in a car crash when the driver is thrown against thesteering wheel.

3hen someone falls from the height. 3hen a sharp ob;ect penetrates the s$in and damages the internal organs. @ractured bone damaging some blood vessel or internal structure.

ignals of internal bleeding (

+. 7iscoloration of the s$in . )apid or wea$ pulse.?. )apid breathing.'. A$in that feels cool or moist or loo$s pale or blush.

. 4ausea and vomiting.!. Excessive thirst.C. 7ecline of level of consciousness.

Control of internal bleeding

+. %ontrolling internal bleeding depends on the severity and site of the bleeding. @orminor bleeding, such as a bruise on an arm, apply ice or cold pac$ wrapped in a piece ofcloth or hand$erchief or small towel to the in;ured are to reduce pain and swelling.&. %all E/A.

) Ho' does the application of ice reduce s'elling*

&ote 3hen applying the pressure bandage, remember when you haveapplied it and do not forget to remove it well in time other wise it may causedamage to the organ due to lac$ of blood supply. Aubse uent release isadvisable.

&ose bleeding

8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

5/6

&ose bleeding is usuall% caused b% ( +. Blow from a blunt ob;ect.&. 5igh blood pressure.

. 5igh temperature during summers.>. %hange in altitude.?. @racture in nose.'. %old and other respiratory infections.

. -ic$ing out crusts and hairs from nose.!. Bleeding disorders.C. @ever.

-anagement (

+. Let the patient sit up, with head slightly bent forwards.&. -ress the nostrils together, holding pressure for several minutes.

. 1s$ the patient to breath through mouth.>. 1pply a towel, wet with cold water or crac$ed ice, over the nose, face

and forehead and at the bac$ of the nec$.?. Loosen the tight clothing.'. 7o not let the patient tal$, cough, laugh, wal$ about or blow the nose.

1ctivity and excitement may increase the bleeding or causes it torestart.

&ose care after a nose bleeds+. 7o not pic$ your nose or insert anything into it . 7o not stoop, or exert. 3hen you lie down, elevate your head using

two or three pillows.?. n the second day, put a little petroleum ;elly inside your nostril to

soften the crusts that form after a nose bleed.'. 1void hot drin$s and alcoholic beverages.

. 7o not smo$e or ta$e aspirin for ? days.

8/12/2019 First Aid - Bleeding

6/6