Haemorrhage Health Dictionary

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Haemorrhage: From 5 Different Sources

The medical term for bleeding. (See also haematoma.)
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
The escape of blood from any of the blood vessels, normally in response to some trauma, or as a result of a clotting disorder such as HAEMOPHILIA. The bleeding may be external – for example, following a skin laceration; or it may be internal – for example, haematemesis (bleeding into the stomach), haemoptysis (bleeding from the lungs), or haematuria (bleeding from the kidneys or urinary tract). For more information about these conditions, see separate entries.

Bleeding into or around the brain is a major concern following serious head injuries, or in newborn infants following a di?cult labour. Haemorrhage is classi?ed as arterial – the most serious type, in which the blood is bright red and appears in spurts (in severe cases the patient may bleed to death within a few minutes); venous – less serious (unless from torn varicose veins) and easily checked, in which the blood is dark and wells up gradually into the wound; and capillary, in which the blood slowly oozes out of the surface of the wound and soon stops spontaneously. Haemorrhage is also classi?ed as primary, reactionary, and secondary (see WOUNDS). Severe haemorrhage causes SHOCK and ANAEMIA, and blood TRANSFUSION is often required.

When a small artery is cut across, the bleeding stops in consequence of changes in the wall of the artery on the one hand, and in the constitution of the blood on the other. Every artery is surrounded by a ?brous sheath, and when cut, the vessel retracts some little distance within this sheath and a blood clot forms, blocking the open end (see COAGULATION). When a major blood vessel is torn, such spontaneous closure may be impossible and surgery is required to stop the bleeding.

Three main principles are applicable in the control of a severe external haemorrhage: (a) direct pressure on the bleeding point or points;

(b) elevation of the wounded part; (c) pressure on the main artery of supply to the part.

Control of internal haemorrhage is more dif?cult than that of external bleeding. First-aid measures should be taken while professional help is sought. The patient should be laid down with legs raised, and he or she should be reassured and kept warm. The mouth may be kept moist but no ?uids should be given. (See APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID.)

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
(bleeding) n. the escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, externally or internally. Arterial blood is bright red and emerges in spurts, venous blood is dark red and flows steadily, while damage to minor vessels may produce only an oozing. Rupture of a major blood vessel such as the femoral artery can lead to the loss of several litres of blood in a few minutes, resulting in *shock, collapse, and death, if untreated. See also haematemesis; haematuria; haemoptysis.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

A haemorrhage into the subarachnoid space in the BRAIN. It is usually the result of rupture of an ANEURYSM on the CIRCLE OF WILLIS. Head injury or intense physical exercise occasionally cause subarachnoid haemorrhage; the diagnosis is con?rmed by CT scan or by identifying blood in the CEREBROSPINAL FLUID at LUMBAR PUNCTURE. Cerebral ANGIOGRAPHY will usually pinpoint the site of bleeding. Treatment is bed rest, life-support measures and procedures to reduce blood pressure; sometimes surgery is carried out but not usually until several weeks after the acute episode. About 30 per cent of patients recover fully, whilst some have residual disabilities such as EPILEPSY, mental deterioration or paralysis. About 50 per cent of those affected die.... subarachnoid haemorrhage

Antepartum Haemorrhage

Bleeding from the vagina after the 28th week of pregnancy. Antepartum haemorrhage is most commonly due to a problem with the placenta, such as placenta praevia or placental abruption. Bleeding can also be caused by cervical erosion or other disorders of the cervix or vagina.

Admission to hospital is necessary for investigation and treatment.

Ultrasound scanning is used to diagnose problems with the placenta.

If the bleeding is severe, the woman is given a blood transfusion, and the baby is delivered immediately by caesarean section.... antepartum haemorrhage

Cerebral Haemorrhage

Bleeding within the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel (see intracerebral haemorrhage; stroke).... cerebral haemorrhage

Postpartum Haemorrhage

Excessive blood loss after childbirth. It is more common after a long labour or after a multiple birth. The haemorrhage is usually due to excessive bleeding from the site where the placenta was attached to the uterus.... postpartum haemorrhage

Splinter Haemorrhage

Bleeding under the fingernails visible as tiny splinterlike marks.

Usually due to trauma, it can also be a sign of infective endocarditis.... splinter haemorrhage

Splinter Haemorrhages

Linear bleeding under the ?ngernails. Although they may result from injury, they are a useful physical sign of infective ENDOCARDITIS.... splinter haemorrhages

Eyes  - Retinal Haemorrhage

See: BLEEDING. ... eyes  - retinal haemorrhage

Brain Haemorrhage

Bleeding within or around the brain that is caused either by injury or by spontaneous rupture of a blood vessel. There are 4 possible types of brain haemorrhage: subdural, extradural, subarachnoid, and intracerebral. Extradural and subdural haemorrhages are usually the result of a blow to the head (see head injury). Subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhages usually occur spontaneously due to rupture of aneurysms or small blood vessels in the brain.... brain haemorrhage

Extradural Haemorrhage

Bleeding into the space between the inner surface of the skull and the external surface of the dura mater, the outer layer of the meninges. Extradural haemorrhage usually results from a blow to the side of the head that fractures the skull and ruptures an artery running over the surface of the dura mater. A haematoma (collection of clotted blood) forms and enlarges, causing an increase in pressure inside the skull and resulting in symptoms several hours or even days after the injury. Symptoms may include headache, drowsiness, vomiting, paralysis affecting one side of the body, and seizures. Untreated, extradural haemorrhage may be life-threatening.

CT scanning or MRI confirms the diagnosis.

Surgical treatment consists of craniotomy, draining the blood clot, and clipping the ruptured blood vessel.... extradural haemorrhage

Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Bleeding into the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. It is 1 of the 3 principal mechanisms by which a stroke can occur. It mainly affects middle-aged or elderly people and is usually due to atherosclerosis. Untreated hypertension increases the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage.

The ruptured artery is usually in the cerebrum. The escaped blood seeps out, damaging brain tissue. The symptoms are sudden headache, weakness, and confusion, and often loss of consciousness. Speech loss, facial paralysis, or onesided weakness may develop, depending on the area affected. Surgery is usually impossible; treatment is aimed at lifesupport and the reduction of blood pressure. Large haemorrhages are usually fatal. For the survivor of an intracerebral haemorrhage, rehabilitation and outlook are as for any type of stroke.

intracytoplasmic sperm injection... intracerebral haemorrhage

Retinal Haemorrhage

Bleeding into the retina from 1 or more blood vessels, due to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or retinal vein occlusion. When the macula

(site of central vision) is involved, vision is severely impaired.

Peripheral haemorrhages may be detected only when the eye is examined with an ophthalmoscope.... retinal haemorrhage

Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

Bleeding under the conjunctiva that is usually harmless and disappears in a few days without treatment.... subconjunctival haemorrhage

Vitreous Haemorrhage

Bleeding into the vitreous humour. A common cause is diabetic retinopathy. Vitreous haemorrhage often affects vision; a major haemorrhage causes poor vision until the blood is reabsorbed, which may not be for several months, if at all.... vitreous haemorrhage

Expulsive Haemorrhage

sudden bleeding from the choroid, usually during a surgical procedure or trauma. This may force the ocular tissue out of the wound and is potentially one of the most devastating intraoperative complications of ocular surgery.... expulsive haemorrhage

Intraventricular Haemorrhage

(IVH) see periventricular haemorrhage.... intraventricular haemorrhage

Subdural Haemorrhage

Bleeding into the space between the outer and middle layers of the meninges, usually following head injury. The trapped blood slowly forms a large clot within the skull that presses on brain tissue. The symptoms, which tend to fluctuate, may include headache, confusion, drowsiness, and one-sided weakness or paralysis. The interval between the injury and the start of symptoms varies from days to months. Diagnosis is by CT scanning or MRI. In many cases, surgical treatment is needed. This involves drilling burr holes in the skull (see craniotomy), so that the blood can be drained out and damaged blood vessels repaired. If treatment is carried out at an early enough stage, the person usually makes a full recovery. A subdural haemorrhage that is small and produces few symptoms may not require any treatment. The affected

person is usually monitored with regular scans, and the clot may clear up on its own. (See also extradural haemorrhage.)... subdural haemorrhage

Periventricular Haemorrhage

(PVH) a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants who are born prematurely in which bleeding occurs from fragile blood vessels around the *ventricles in the brain. Bleeding extending into the lateral ventricles is termed intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and in severe cases can extend into the brain tissue (cerebral parenchyma). Surviving infants may have long-term neurological deficits, such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, or seizures.... periventricular haemorrhage

Subaponeurotic Haemorrhage

bleeding under the *aponeurosis of the scalp resulting from trauma to blood vessels crossing the space from the skull to the overlying scalp. It results from delivery by forceps or vacuum extraction. It is very uncommon but can be fatal. See also cephalhaematoma; chignon.... subaponeurotic haemorrhage

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