Heavy internal bleeding may occur in the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, digestive tract, or tissues surrounding large bones, such as the thighbone (femur) and pelvis, that are broken. Internal bleeding often occurs due to a forceful impact (eg, motor vehicle crash, fall from a height), but it can also occur from minor impacts if a person is on certain medications (such as aspirin or blood thinners taken to prevent blood clots) or has a medical condition that makes them bleed more easily. Internal bleeding can also be caused when an internal organ bursts without any impact (such as in an Heavy internal bleeding may occur in the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, digestive tract, or tissues surrounding large bones, such as the thighbone (femur) and pelvis, that are broken. Internal bleeding often occurs due to a forceful impact (eg, motor vehicle crash, fall from a height), but it can also occur from minor impacts if a person is on certain medications (such as aspirin or blood thinners taken to prevent blood clots) or has a medical condition that makes them bleed more easily. Internal bleeding can also be caused when an internal organ bursts without any impact (such as in anectopic pregnancy or aneurysm).
Initially, internal bleeding may cause no symptoms, although an injured organ that is bleeding may be painful. However, the person may be distracted from this pain by other injuries or may be unable to express pain because of confusion, drowsiness, or unconsciousness. Eventually, internal bleeding usually becomes apparent. For example, blood in the digestive tract may cause vomiting of blood or passage of bloody or black stool.
Extensive blood loss causes low blood pressure, making the person feel weak and light-headed. The person may faint when standing or even sitting and, if blood pressure is very low, lose consciousness.
First Aid for Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding cannot be stopped without the help of health care professionals. If extensive bleeding causes light-headedness or symptoms of shock, the person should be laid down and the legs elevated. Medical assistance should be summoned as quickly as possible. In the United States, emergency medical care can be accessed by calling 911. The caller should give the dispatcher as full a description as possible of the person's condition and how the situation developed. The caller should not hang up until told to do so.
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