Types of Haemorrhage (Bleeding) – Measures to control Haemorrhage

Types of Haemorrhage based on the Source

§  Arterial Haemorrhage - Bright Red, Spurting / Pulsatile in nature

§  Venous Haemorrhage - Dark red, Continuous in nature

§  Capillary Haemorrhage- Bright Red, Continuous in nature

Types of Haemorrhage based on Time of onset

§  Primary Haemorrhage

§  Reactionary Haemorrhage

§  Secondary Haemorrhage

Primary Haemorrhage

   Haemorrhage occurring at the time of Injury/Trauma/Surgery

Reactionary Haemorrhage

  
Haemorrhage occurring within first 24 hrs following Trauma/Surgery

  
The causes Reactionary Haemorrhage

1)    Slipping away of Ligatures

2)    Dislodgement of Clots

3)    Cessation of Reflex vaso spasm

4)    Normalization of Blood Pressure

Secondary Haemorrhage

  
 Haemorrhage occurring after 7 -14 days after Trauma/Surgery.

 The attributed cause is infection and sloughing away of the blood vessels

How to control Haemorrhage ( 5 Ps)

§  Position-Any bleeding from the limb can be controlled to a certain extent by elevating the limb above the level of heart.

§  Pressure-Applying firm pressure directly over the area we can control bleeding. In case of complete cut injury of a hand/ foot direct pressure over the brachial artery at the cubital fossa or the femoral artery at the mid inguinal point results in the arrest of bleeding.

§  Packing- Epistaxis due to a local cause can be controlled by sterile nasal packing.

§  Procedure- Applying sutures/ stapler clips over the bleeding vessels one can control bleeding.

§  Patience- The confidence of the doctor in handling a situation is all the more important. If he can take control of the situation everything will be under control and if he becomes panic , everything will be upside down.

Query- What if a bleeding occurs after 24hrs and before 7 days?

Answer:- In the Medical Literature it is mentioned that bleeding during this period is very unlikely. This is true in my experience also .

(Thanks for the query.)