After an accident, external injuries are easy to notice. You can identify cuts to the skin, bruising and in some cases broken bones. However, if you suffer from internal bleeding, it may be more difficult to diagnose.
According to Healthline, the most common cause of internal bleeding is trauma.
What are the symptoms of internal bleeding?
When you have trauma, it may be easier for doctors to locate the internal bleeding. Your symptoms of bleeding depend on where the injury is. For instance, if you have internal bleeding in your head, you may feel numbness on one side of your body, along with weakness and tingling. You may also suffer from a sudden and severe headache.
Internal bleeding in your chest or abdomen may cause dizziness, chest and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or bleeding from the ears, nose or mouth. There may be bruising around the sides of your abdomen and your navel. Other symptoms include blood in the urine, black stool, shortness of breath and dizziness.
How can doctors diagnose internal bleeding?
To diagnose internal bleeding, doctors have a few different tools. These tools include:
- Physical exams
- Medical tests
- Imaging tests
A doctor may look through your medical history and use lab tests to identify whether you have internal bleeding. If you have internal bleeding, the doctor may order an angiography to examine your blood vessels.
For those who suffer from internal bleeding, the treatment ranges from symptom control and rest and surgery to stop bleeding or to remove the pooled blood. Once the surgeon stops the bleeding, the doctors can stabilize your body.