Spontaneous Bleeding

General or Other | General Practice | Spontaneous Bleeding (Symptom)


Description

Bleeding refers to blood loss and may occur within the body (internally) or outside (externally). It may occur: (i) within the body when blood leaks from blood vessels or organs; (ii) outside the body when blood flows through a natural opening (such as the vagina, mouth or rectum); (iii) outside the body where blood flows through a break in the skin.

Emergency assistance should be sought for spontaneous bleeding and if internal bleeding is suspected. Internal bleeding can rapidly become life threatening. Serious injuries do not always bleed spontaneously and some relatively minor injuries, including wounds on the scalp can bleed profusely.

Causes

Bleeding can be caused by injuries or can occur spontaneously. Spontaneous bleeding is most commonly caused by problems with the joints or the gastrointestinal or urogenital tracts.

People taking anticoagulant drugs or have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia may bleed excessively and quickly because their blood does not clot properly. Bleeding in such people requires immediate medical attention.

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