The impact from a motor vehicle accident can cause trauma to your body. Serious injuries can result in internal bleeding. This can have severe complications and usually requires surgery to correct.
Internal bleeding can occur in almost any part of the body. The symptoms can vary based on the area affected. They may be subtle at first and then become more pronounced as the blood begins to collect in your body cavities. Following a car accident, watch for the following symptoms in various parts of your body:
Leg
Internal bleeding can result from a fracture of the femur, which is the long bone in your thigh. If you have internal bleeding of the leg due to a femur fracture, you may experience pain in the thigh as well as a sensation of tightness or visible swelling.
Torso
Trauma to your chest and/or abdomen can cause bleeding of the internal organs, such as the spleen, liver or kidneys. This can cause symptoms of black and tarry stool, blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, or pain in the chest or abdomen. You may also observe a deep, purplish pattern of bruising called ecchymosis.
Head
Intracranial hematoma is a special term for internal bleeding within your skull. It is a potentially dangerous condition because it puts pressure on the brain. You may lose consciousness or experience a change in your overall level of alertness. You may experience a tingling sensation in the hands or feet or experience numbness or weakness on one side of your body. You may suddenly develop a severe headache or have difficulty with certain neurological functions, such as swallowing, focusing the eyes or communicating with others.
Whole body
The loss of blood can decrease your circulation and cause you to go into hypovolemic shock due to dangerously low blood pressure. Observable signs of shock include profuse sweating, rapid breathing and discoloration of the skin, causing it to become pale or blue-tinged.
Seek immediate medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms after a car accident or other trauma.