PSYchology
Bleeding is the outflow of blood from blood vessels into organs, tissues, natural cavities of the body or out. We tell you what first aid needs to be provided so that there are no sad consequences for the body

With the development of severe bleeding from large vessels, a person needs to be given medical attention, since significant blood loss poses a great threat to health and can be fatal1.

Damage to the walls of blood vessels that causes bleeding can occur for various reasons:

  • injuries, wounds, bruises;
  • inflammatory processes (erosion, ulcers) in the wall of blood vessels;
  • thinning of the walls of blood vessels;
  • germination of tumors in the vessels and their subsequent decay;
  • chemical poisoning, burns, frostbite.

Bleeding is divided into arterial (from arteries), venous (from veins), capillary (observed with extensive superficial wounds, bleeding occurs from the entire surface of the wound), internal (bleeding into internal organs or cavities)2.

Arterial bleeding

Arterial bleeding occurs when an artery is damaged. Blood pours out in a scarlet pulsating stream. This is one of the most dangerous types of bleeding, fatal blood loss can develop in a few seconds. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to stop the bleeding immediately.

What can you do

When providing first aid for arterial bleeding, it is necessary:

  • press your thumb on the artery above the wound to stop or at least relieve bleeding;
  • apply a rubber or any other homemade tourniquet (what will fall under the hands, for example, a belt, cord, etc.) to the artery above the wound, this will reduce blood loss;
  • leave a note indicating the time the tourniquet was applied;
  • bandage the wound;
  • after rendering assistance to the victim, he should be immediately sent to a specialized medical institution (hospital or clinic).

What not to do

  • Leave the tourniquet longer than an hour. Otherwise, tissue necrosis may occur.
  • Remove the blood-soaked bandage. A new one is put on top of it.

Venous bleeding

Venous bleeding occurs when a vein is damaged. Blood is poured out in a uniform stream of dark color. When a vein is injured near a large artery, intermittent outpouring of blood is possible. With the defeat of large veins, venous bleeding can also be deadly if the necessary measures are not taken in time.

What can you do

When providing first aid for venous bleeding, it is necessary:

  • lift the injured limb up;
  • apply a tight pressure bandage to the wound;
  • send the victim to a healthcare facility.

What not to do:

  • Attempt to clean the wound or remove small objects from it, such as broken glass;
  • Remove blood clots and blood clots, otherwise bleeding may open.

Nose bleed

Nosebleeds can occur as a result of injuries to the nose, as well as for other reasons. For example, due to the weak walls of the vessels of the mucous membrane – in such cases, a person can blow his nose or sneeze hard enough to provoke a nosebleed. Nosebleeds can be caused by high blood pressure and fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.

What can you do

To provide first aid for nosebleeds, you must:

  • seat a person, tilt his head forward;
  • place a dense cotton swab in the nasal cavity;
  • apply cold to the bridge of the nose to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding;
  • if within 15 minutes the bleeding has not stopped, you need to call an ambulance.

What not to do:

  • tilt your head back;
  • blow your nose immediately after the bleeding stops, so as not to resume it again;
  • eating hot food and drinks after the bleeding has just stopped – this can dilate the blood vessels.

Stomach bleeding

The main causes of gastric bleeding are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other conditions:

  • peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
  • poisoning;
  • stomach cancer;
  • benign neoplasms of the stomach or polyps;
  • erosion of the gastric mucosa or erosive gastritis;
  • taking certain groups of drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa (acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.);
  • stress;
  • postoperative situations.

For internal bleeding, including gastric, certain symptoms are characteristic:

  • severe weakness, up to fainting;
  • pale skin, blue fingers, nose, lips;
  • cold sweat;
  • noise in the ears, “flies” before the eyes.

Common symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding are nausea, vomiting with clotted blood in the form of “coffee grounds”, abdominal pain, black tarry or bloody stools3.

What can be done

With the development of gastrointestinal bleeding, emergency medical care is necessary. What to do before the ambulance arrives:

  • lay the patient with his back on a hard surface, turn his head to the side to prevent choking with vomit;
  • put cold on the stomach (ice or a bottle of cold water);
  • control blood pressure levels. When the pressure drops below 100 mm Hg. Art. bleeding becomes more severe.

What not to do

  • move the patient
  • drink and eat (if you are very thirsty, you can give an ice cube).

Popular questions and answers

How to properly apply a tourniquet to stop arterial bleeding?

– The tourniquet is applied to the limb above the wound on the shoulder or thigh. In these places there is one bone and the tourniquet can squeeze the artery, stopping the bleeding.

On the place where the tourniquet will be applied, you must first place a piece of fabric, then tightly wind the tourniquet, write the time of application on it.

How long can a tourniquet be applied?

– In summer, the tourniquet is applied for no more than 60 minutes, in winter for no more than 30 minutes. If the tourniquet is not removed for too long, then this can lead to the loss of a limb, if too weakly, stopping the bleeding will not be effective enough.

Why can’t you tilt your head back when you have a nosebleed?

– In this case, blood can enter the upper respiratory tract and cause aspiration, which can lead to the development of pneumonia and even suffocation, with massive bleeding.

Is a bandage necessary for bleeding?

– For any wound, a sterile dressing should be applied to the wound to avoid further contamination and infection. It is not necessary to wash the wound on your own, as this can lead to injury and more infection. In case of any bleeding, you should immediately contact a surgeon to provide qualified assistance.

Sources of

  1. First aid for wounds and bleeding. https://www.msmsu.ru/userdata/manual/doc/kaf/smp/pp_rkbj.pdf
  2. The concepts of “bleeding”, “acute blood loss”. https://www.mchs.gov.ru/deyatelnost/bezopasnost-grazhdan/krovotecheniya_8
  3. Gastrointestinal bleeding: clinic, diagnosis and treatment. https://pharmateca.ru/ru/archive/article/13060

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