Causes of Hemorrhaging

Hemorrhaging refers to a severe loss of blood. Although most people can endure some blood loss without medical complications, in certain situations bleeding can become serious or even life threatening. There are different degrees of hemorrhage, which either require no treatment, or may require that a person be given a blood transfusion. Bleeding can be caused by trauma from injury, or from an underlying medical condition. Some people have inherited bleeding disorders, which affect blood clotting, putting them more at risk for bleeding. But no matter what the reason for the bleeding, understanding the causes and risk factors can help to prevent complications such as hemorrhage.

Brain Hemorrhage

• Brain hemorrhage in older individuals, typically known as atrial fibrillation (AF), is characterized by a rapid, irregular heartbeat, increasing the risk for stroke and heart attack. It was previously believed that the anticoagulant drug, warfarin, increased the risk of hemorrhage. The drug, more commonly known under the brand name Coumadin, is used to reduce the risk of stroke related to AF. However, according to a study published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (see Reference 1), researchers say evidence now suggests that the risk of brain hemorrhage increases with age despite the use of blood thinners.

Antepartum Hemorrhage

• Bleeding from the birth canal during pregnancy anytime after 24 weeks of pregnancy is considered to be a medical emergency. Conditions, which can cause hemorrhage to occur, include trauma, cervical infection, placental previa, uterine rupture, placental abruption, or vasa praevia, a condition in which blood leaks from fetal vessels. While a woman may experience vaginal bleeding with no pain, other symptoms of antepartum hemorrhage may include rapid pulse, decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, pale skin or tender abdomen. Some of these complications can result in preterm delivery and postpartum hemorrhage. In cases of placental previa, the placenta is lying low in the uterus. If the placenta remains in that position at the time of delivery, a C-section is required. Placental abruption means that the placenta has separated from the lining of the uterus.

Postpartum Hemorrhage

• Even though vaginal or Caesarean section deliveries infrequently result in postpartum hemorrhage, pregnancy complications such as placental previa, placenta accreta or uterine atony can each cause hemorrhage following delivery. Rupture of the uterus, tears in the cervix or vagina, or problems with blood clotting are other causes. Women who have had previous Caesarean deliveries are at a greater risk for developing a condition known as placenta accreta, which often results in premature delivery. The opposite of placental abruption, in this case, the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, creating the risk of hemorrhage once the baby is born. Uterine atony, another cause of postpartum hemorrhage, means that the muscles of the uterus fail to contract after delivery causing severe bleeding to continue.

Retinal Hemorrhage

• Retinal hemorrhage is sometimes the result of an injury, particularly forceful blows to the head. In infants, the cause is often shaken baby syndrome. Diabetes can also cause the small vessels of the retina to hemorrhage. This may lead to floaters, decreased vision or even sudden loss of vision. Individuals who have high blood pressure can develop hypertensive retinopathy, in which case, blurred vision is a common symptom.

Pulmonary Hemorrhage

• Pulmonary hemorrhage is a condition that can be difficult to tell from diffuse pneumonia or pulmonary edema. This is a serious problem that requires prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment. Some causes of pulmonary hemorrhage include bacterial pneumonia, reactions to certain medications, cardiovascular disorders, acute leukemia, or in rare cases, allergies. If hemorrhage is present, bronchial secretions are tinged with blood. In simpler terms, a person coughs up blood.

Splinter Hemorrhage

• A splinter hemorrhage normally presents as red spots underneath a fingernail or toenail. Most times the condition is caused by physical trauma to the small blood vessels in the nail bed. Sometimes a fungal infection may be the cause. Nail psoriasis or aspirin and other medications can also slow the coagulation of blood. If a splinter hemorrhage appears on more than one nail, this is usually a sign of an underlying health problem or autoimmune disorder and connective tissue disease such as lupus.