A hemorrhage is a massive loss of blood due to injury to one or more of the blood vessels of the body. This bleeding can be either internal or external, and treatment is primarily directed at locating and treating the source of the bleeding. Common causes of a hemorrhage include physical injury or trauma, stroke, or aneurysm. A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to the brain, often caused by blockages such as blood clots or by a natural weakening of the blood vessels as a person ages. An aneurysm develops when a weakened blood vessel develops an unnatural bulge that expands as it fills with blood.
The causes of a hemorrhage are relatively easy to diagnose when the bleeding is external, or outside of the body. This type of bleeding typically occurs after a traumatic injury such as an automobile accident. Uncontrolled bleeding can be fatal if not treated promptly, and in most injuries leading to external bleeding the patient is encouraged to visit the local emergency room. Doctors will work to stop the bleeding while finding and repairing its source. In some cases when there has been significant blood loss, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
Causes of a hemorrhage that develops internally, or inside the body, may not be as easy to diagnose. Clues to finding the source of the bleeding are often found when doctors search for the cause of other symptoms, such as pain. For instance, a ruptured spleen, appendix, or fallopian tube are potential causes of a hemorrhage, and these medical emergencies generally cause severe localized pain. If the bleeding originates in the lungs or intestines, the patient may either cough up blood or have very dark stools. When these causes of a hemorrhage are treated, surgery is often required to stop the bleeding.
Stroke and aneurysm are the most common causes of a hemorrhage in the brain. Blood clots are the most common reason for a stroke and may be caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Brain aneurysms do not cause any symptoms or have any negative medical effects in most cases. If the aneurysm leaks or ruptures, however, it creates an emergency situation. This type of brain bleed can cause pressure on the brain and irreversible brain damage if not treated immediately. Surgical intervention is almost always needed when the causes of a hemorrhage are related to the brain.