How to Spot Internal Bleeding

By Grant Law Office on March 17, 2021

After an accident, you may be mostly concerned with your obvious, external injuries. That’s understandable, as a nasty cut or broken bone is enough to make anyone panic. However, the real danger may lie in a wound that is practically invisible: internal bleeding.

Why Internal Bleeding Is So Dangerous

Most people understand that when they suffer a serious external wound, such as a slice on the arm, that the best thing to do is try and stop the bleeding. If you lose too much blood, you can pass out, or even die. Your blood is what keeps the rest of your body supplied with oxygen, which is necessary for your organs and muscles to continue to work. When you bleed out, not only do you lose blood cells, but you lose blood pressure to pump the remaining blood to your organs. If your brain goes without oxygen for even a few minutes, cells will begin to die.

What makes internal bleeding so dangerous is the fact that it is not always obvious. With a cut on your body, you can quickly notice the wound, and take the steps necessary to stop the bleeding, such as applying a bandage or pressure. When the bleeding is internal, it can be hard to spot. While you may notice some discoloration on your skin, or even a bulge beginning to form in the area of the injury, it may just look like a standard bruise or swelling brought on by the wound. If this bleeding is not caught in time, however, the effects will be the same as if you had an external bleed: you will pass out, and potentially die.

That is why knowing the symptoms of an internal bleed is key to your health.

The Symptoms of an Internal Laceration

Following a serious car accident, you may first give your attention to your more obvious injuries, such as a broken bone or dislocated shoulder. However, you should always take stock of how you are feeling. What symptoms are you suffering from? These may become worse over time, so while you wait for medical attention, be sure to take stock every few minutes. Important symptoms to watch for include:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• A loss of sensation
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Vomiting or coughing up blood
• Deep bruising and swelling in the wounded area

Shock and adrenaline can make it difficult to notice pain and other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Even if you are not experiencing most of these symptoms, you should not assume that you are in good health. While a visit to the doctor may be expensive, it is imperative that you make sure you are not bleeding internally. Otherwise, you risk death.

What You Should Do

If you have been involved in a serious accident that has left you wounded, call for emergency medical services. There is nothing more important that your well-being, especially when there is a possibility that you are suffering from an invisible and deadly internal organ injury.

If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a pedestrian accident or a dog attack, then your next step should be to seek proper compensation. Internal bleeding requires invasive surgery to treat, which is costly. You shouldn’t have to carry that financial burden on your own. A successful claim will require the help of a skilled attorney, whom you can find at Grant Law Office in Atlanta. Our legal team is at the top of the personal injury field, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us at (404) 995-3955.