Bleeding

"Hemorrhage" and "Haemorrhage" redirect here. For the song by Fuel, see Hemorrhage (In My Hands). For the band, see Haemorrhage (band).
For the voluntary extraction of blood, see Bloodletting. For other uses, see Bleeding (disambiguation).
Bleeding
Other namesHemorrhaging, haemorrhaging, blood loss
A bleeding wound in the finger
SpecialtyEmergency medicine, hematology
ComplicationsExsanguination, hypovolemic shock, coma, shock

Bleeding, hemorrhage, haemorrhage or blood loss is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels.[1] Bleeding can occur internally, or externally either through a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, ear, urethra, vagina or anus, or through a puncture in the skin. Hypovolemia is a massive decrease in blood volume, and death by excessive loss of blood is referred to as exsanguination.[2] Typically, a healthy person can endure a loss of 10–15% of the total blood volume without serious medical difficulties (by comparison, blood donation typically takes 8–10% of the donor's blood volume).[3] The stopping or controlling of bleeding is called hemostasis and is an important part of both first aid and surgery.

  1. ^ Roth, Elliot J. (2011). "Hemorrhage". Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer. pp. 1234–5. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_2178. ISBN 978-0-387-79947-6. Hemorrhage is active bleeding, in which blood escapes from the blood vessels, either into the internal organs and tissues or outside of the body.
  2. ^ "Dictionary Definitions of Exsanguination". Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  3. ^ "Blood Donation Information". UK National Blood Service. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-18.