Primeros auxilios: hemorragias
Understanding Hemorrhages: Types and Management
Definition of Hemorrhages
- Hemorrhages refer to abnormal blood loss from blood vessels, which can occur externally or within internal cavities of the body. This loss may not always be life-threatening unless significant amounts of blood are lost.
Classification of Hemorrhages
- Hemorrhages can be classified based on type:
- Arterial: Characterized by bright red, pulsatile blood flow; considered severe due to high volume loss.
- Venous: Darker blood that flows continuously.
- Capillary: Blood oozes in small droplets.
Causes of Hemorrhages
- Spontaneous hemorrhages may arise from:
- Coagulation deficiencies, toxicity, medication side effects, poisoning.
- External injuries causing trauma to blood vessels.
- Internal injuries such as digestive tract bleeding due to ruptured large vessels in damaged gastric mucosa. Stress can also contribute to these conditions.
Managing External Hemorrhages
- To stop arterial or venous bleeding from major vessels:
- Utilize mechanical or physical methods for control.
- Natural coagulation processes aim to halt bleeding (hemostasis). In normal conditions, this occurs spontaneously and is often sufficient.
Physical Methods for Control
- Direct digital compression with dressings or compresses is the most common method until professional medical help is available.
- If a dressing becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it; instead, place another dressing on top to avoid disrupting any forming clots.
Pressure Points Technique
- For severe cases, apply pressure at specific points corresponding to major arteries (e.g., humeral and femoral arteries) by pressing against the bone to block blood flow to the affected limb.
Treatment for Capillary Bleeding
- For minor wounds like burns or abrasions:
- Cover with dressings and apply gentle compression using bandaging techniques.
- Similar principles apply—do not remove soaked dressings but add new ones on top if necessary. This prevents re-opening clots and exacerbating bleeding.
Handling Distal Limb Injuries
- Elevating an injured limb can significantly reduce bleeding.
- Always ensure rapid transport of the affected individual to a medical facility for further care when dealing with serious injuries or internal hemorrhage signs such as shock symptoms (pale skin, weak pulse).
Response Protocol for Shock Symptoms
- Place the injured person in a horizontal position while monitoring airway patency for effective breathing.
- Keep them warm and protected from cold surfaces during transport to medical assistance facilities.
Specific Case: Nasal Bleeding (Epistaxis)
- For nasal hemorrhage management: