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Bleeding

Emergency Treatment Options for Bleeding

Injuries and illnesses that cause bleeding can be both painful and alarming.

At Prestige ER, our skilled team is committed to prompt, specialized treatment to control bleeding quickly and safely. We’re here to offer the compassionate care and reassurance you need in critical moments.

What Is Bleeding Treatment?

Bleeding treatment varies based on the wound’s size, location, severity, and whether the bleeding is external, internal, or related to pregnancy complications.

First Aid and Emergency Treatment for Severe Bleeding

If someone is experiencing severe bleeding, you can provide the following first-aid care:

  • Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth.
  • Elevate the wound above the heart to slow blood flow, if possible.
  • Speak calmly and encourage the injured person to remain calm and take deep breaths. This will help slow their heart rate and reduce bleeding intensity.
  • Call 9-1-1 if the bleeding remains severe, is spurting, or does not show signs of slowing after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
  • While you wait for emergency support, continue applying pressure to the wound and apply additional pressure to a nearby artery or pressure point to help slow bleeding.
  • As a last resort, apply a tourniquet approximately 2-3 inches above the wound (between the wound and the heart), avoiding joints.
  • Keep the injured person warm with a blanket or coat. Staying warm helps maintain proper blood circulation, supports clotting, and reduces the risk of shock.

Do not wait to seek care for medical emergencies—especially when someone is bleeding severely. Every moment counts. The board-certified physicians at Prestige ER are skilled in treating severe bleeding and its complications.

Treatment Options for Different Types of Bleeding

External Bleeding

In addition to immediate first-aid care, here are additional steps emergency physicians take to treat severe bleeding:

  • Wound packing
    Deep wounds may require packing with gauze to maintain pressure on the bleeding site while additional assessments are made.
  • Fluid replacement
    Once severe bleeding is controlled, emergency physicians will administer fluids to help restore blood volume, maintain adequate blood pressure, and prevent hemorrhagic shock and other life-threatening complications.
  • Blood transfusion
    In cases of severe blood loss, emergency physicians will perform a blood transfusion to restore blood or blood components you need to function properly (e.g., blood, oxygen, platelets, plasma, and white blood cells).
  • Surgery
    If bleeding cannot be controlled through other, less invasive methods, surgical intervention may be required to repair damaged blood vessels.

Internal Bleeding

If you or a loved one experiences one or more of the following warning signs of internal bleeding after an accident, injury, or other bodily trauma, go to your nearest emergency room for immediate treatment:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Severe weakness
  • Fainting
  • Vision problems
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Nausea or vomiting following an accident, injury, or other bodily trauma

Internal bleeding is a leading cause of trauma-related mortality. If left untreated, severe internal bleeding can lead to organ failure, seizures, coma, external bleeding, and death.

Recognizing Risk Factors and Practical Preventive Measures

If you or a loved one experiences a traumatic injury (e.g., fall or car accident) or struggles with a chronic illness (e.g., blood clotting disorder, cancer, or liver disease), go to your nearest emergency room if you have moderate to severe external bleeding that cannot be controlled with direct pressure or suspect internal bleeding.

Risk Factors

Specific risk factors for severe external bleeding:

  • Deep cuts or lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Bites from animals or humans

Specific risk factors for internal bleeding:

  • Gastrointestinal ulcers
  • Aneurysms
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Bone fractures
  • Menstrual disorders

Preventive Measures

No matter your physical health, you can lower your risk of severe bleeding by taking these precautions:

  • Always wear appropriate protective gear (e.g., helmets, gloves, safety glasses, etc.) during high-risk activities.
  • Use extreme caution when handling sharp objects.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
  • Manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • Avoid excess alcohol consumption.

Long-Term Care After Bleeding Treatment

Long-term care following external bleeding treatment focuses on infection prevention and healing. Here are a few rehabilitation practices to follow:

  • Keep your wound clean and dry.
    • Replace dressings as often as your healthcare provider recommends (typically every one to two days).
    • Gently clean wounds with mild soap and water in between dressings or as your healthcare provider recommends.
    • Replace wet or soiled dressings as soon as possible to reduce infection risk.
  • Watch for signs of infection (e.g., redness, swelling, warmth, foul smell, or drainage).

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any concerns about your wound or notice one or more of the following:

  • There is significant bleeding from the wound.
  • There are signs of infection.
  • The wound is separating or opening.
  • You experience significant or worsening pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is bleeding treated in the ER?

Emergency room physicians will quickly assess your symptoms and provide life-saving care depending on the severity, location, and cause of the bleeding. External wounds are typically treated with close monitoring, stitches, rest, hydration, and surgery if needed.

Moderate to severe internal bleeding requires additional treatments to help encourage blood clotting, including:

  • Intravenous (IV) vitamin K.
  • IV electrolytes.
  • Blood, plasma, and platelets.

Once stabilized, additional treatments include locating and stopping the source of bleeding. This may require surgical intervention and preventative medications after the bleeding has stopped.

What are the common causes of heavy bleeding?

The most common causes of heavy bleeding in men and women are serious injuries, blood clotting disorders, cancer, and thyroid, kidney, liver, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Additionally, here are notable female-specific causes of heavy bleeding that often require medical intervention:

  • Hormonal imbalance.
  • Uterine issues (e.g., fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome).
  • Pregnancy complications (e.g., miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy).
  • Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).

What should I do if I have a nosebleed that won’t stop?

If you have a nosebleed that does not subside after ten minutes of firm pressure on the soft part of your nose while leaning forward, seek immediate medical care. At Prestige ER, our skilled emergency physicians treat excessive nosebleeds with:

  • Nasal packing to apply more direct pressure and encourage clotting.
  • Cauterization to heat and seal the bleeding blood vessel.

If you have recurrent or severe nosebleeds, your healthcare provider may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

What will the ER do for heavy menstrual bleeding?

Heavy menstrual bleeding treatment depends on whether you are pregnant and the severity of your bleeding. Treatments may include:

  • If you are pregnant, your doctor will assess and treat you for a possible miscarriage.
    • This may require an emergency dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.
  • If you are not pregnant, you may receive one or more of the following to help stop the bleeding:
    • Estrogen.
    • Blood clotting medications.
    • Pain medications.
    • Stabilization with IV fluids and blood transfusion.

When should I go to the ER for rectal bleeding?

If you or a loved one is experiencing heavy rectal bleeding, a large amount of rectal blood, or continuous bleeding that will not stop, go to your nearest emergency room for expert care and rectal bleeding treatment.

When should I go to the ER for pregnancy bleeding?

If you are pregnant and experiencing any amount of vaginal bleeding that lasts longer than a few hours, go to your nearest emergency room for prompt treatment. Symptoms may include:

  • Heavy bleeding.
  • Bleeding with pain or cramping.
  • Dizziness and bleeding.
  • Sudden, consistent, or severe pain in your belly or pelvis.

How long does it take to recover from severe bleeding?

Replacing lost blood from a minor injury or blood donation can take several days to a week. However, if you’ve experienced a severe injury or surgery, it can take several weeks for the body to replace lost blood and begin healing.

Can bleeding disorders be managed without surgery?

Blood disorders can be managed without surgery—depending on their type and severity. Working closely with your primary healthcare provider or specialist is essential to manage the illness and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Choose Prestige ER for Emergency Medical Care

Prestige Emergency Room provides rapid, reliable care for bleeding emergencies and other medical conditions. As a veteran-owned facility, we’re dedicated to providing personalized, top-tier care to you and your family–365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Find a location near you and visit us today.

At Prestige ER, we believe everyone deserves prompt, efficient, and top-tier healthcare, regardless of their circumstances. We’re proud to offer four locations in San Antonio, Texas, making it easy to visit a location that’s near you. Simply walk into one of our military-trusted, veteran-owned and operated emergency rooms, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In times of crisis, remember that Prestige ER provides a wide range of emergency services you can count on.