Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding is bleeding occurring inside the body. It may be caused by high blood pressure (by causing blood vessel rupture) or other forms of injury, especially high speed deceleration occurring during an automobile accident, which can cause organ rupture. Depending on where it occurs (e.g. the brain), internal bleeding can be a serious medical emergency, potentially causing death if not given a proper treatment quickly.
Internal bleeding can be serious for two reasons:

• the blood can compress organs and cause their dysfunction (as can occur in haematoma)
• when it does not stop spontaneously, the loss of blood will cause hemorrhagic shock, which can lead to brain damage and death.

Internal bleedings are usually called hemorrhage, even though the term is general to all kinds of bleedings.
A minor case of internal bleeding is ecchymosis (a bruise): blood expands under the skin, causing discoloration.
Medical investigations are necessary to identify internal bleeding. The external signs are general signs of hypovolemic shock (see the article about shock for more information).