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Severe Bleeding - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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Overview

  • Severe bleeding involves loss of large amount of blood 
  • This may occur externally through natural openings, like mouth 
  • A cut on the skin too can lead to bleeding 
  • Internal bleeding occurs due to an injury to blood vessel 

Causes

  • Accidents/Falls 
  • Blow to the head 
  • Injuries, like scalp wounds 
  • Tooth Extraction 
  • Certain medications 
  • Illnesses like
    1. Hemophilia
    2. Scurvy
    3. Cancer
    4. Thrombocytopenia
    5. A plastic Anemia
    6. Leukemia
    7. Hemorrhage
    8. Peptic Ulcer
    9. Platelet Disorder
    10. Liver Disease
    11. Septicemia

Symptoms

  • Discharge of blood from a wound 
  • Bruising 
  • Blood in stool/urine 
  • Blood coming from other areas, like mouth/ear 
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Treatment

  • Wash hands well before administering to patient 
  • Wear synthetic gloves 
  • Make the victim lie down 
  • Slightly elevate the legs 
  • If possible keep the affected area elevated 
  • Remove any obvious debris/particle 
  • Apply direct pressure using clean cloth/bandage 
  • Use hand if cloth is not available 
  • Apply pressure continuously for at least 20 minutes 
  • Do not remove the cloth to check the bleeding 
  • Hold the bandage in place using an adhesive tape 
  • If bleeding seeps through bandage, do not remove it 
  • Add extra bandage on top of the first one 
  • Apply direct pressure on the artery if necessary 
  • The pressure points for arm--below arm- pit/above elbow 
  • For leg--behind knee/near groin 
  • Squeeze the artery keeping finger flat 
  • Continue applying pressure on the wound 
  • Once bleeding stops immobilize the affected part 
  • See a doctor 
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Consult a doctor

  • If bleeding does not stop 
  • If bleeding occurs through nose, ears etc 
  • Coughing up blood 
  • Vomiting 
  • Bruising/deep wounds 
  • Abdominal tenderness 
  • Fracture 
  • Shock 

Steps To Avoid

  • Do not try to replace a displaced organ 
  • Just cover the wound with a clean cloth 
  • Do not try to remove an embedded object 
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