Summary: Internal bleeding, whether visible or not, can have serious consequences if left untreated. It can result from various causes, such as injuries or underlying health conditions. Symptoms may include pain, nausea, and changes in skin appearance. GI bleeding, which involves blood appearing in the stool or vomit, is a significant concern and can be caused by conditions like diverticular disease or peptic ulcer disease. Prompt medical attention is crucial, and treatment options vary depending on the cause. The prognosis for individuals with GI bleeding varies depending on factors such as the cause and timely medical intervention.

Internal Bleeding in the Elderly

Internal bleeding is a critical medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. When the internal bleeding is left untreated, serious consequences can result, such as coma, organ failure, and death. If the bleeding is severe, death can occur within six hours after being admitted to the hospital.

Internal bleeding differs from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in that the former is a result of blood leaking from the blood vessels in such a way that it cannot be seen outside the body. However, either type of bleeding can cause symptoms, such as blood in the vomit. This blood loss occurs within organs or body cavities and is hidden from view, making it especially dangerous and challenging.

Because of these hidden dangers, recognizing the early signs is essential. Immediate medical attention can be life-saving, as intervention is crucial for managing the risks associated with internal bleeding and preventing irreversible damage.

What are the causes of visible internal bleeding?

Bleeding that occurs inside the senior’s body may be visible or not visible. An example of a visible type of internal bleeding is a bruise. When a bruise forms after an injury, the damaged blood vessels leak into the surrounding skin.

A bowel injury can also cause internal bleeding and result in bleeding from the anus. After a head injury, the senior may bleed from the nose or ears. When a lung injury occurs, the older adult coughs up bloody sputum (spit). A urinary tract injury results in blood in the urine.

What are the causes of internal bleeding that are not visible?

A senior can bleed internally without evidence of blood outside their body. In these cases, the injury causes bleeding that remains contained inside the body, such as in the skull or abdominal cavity. A head injury, for instance, can cause a concussion. Shock can be a symptom of internal bleeding.

Symptoms of internal bleeding that are not visible include pain in the injured area, nausea and vomiting, and a tight or swollen abdomen. The senior’s skin may feel clammy and sweaty to the touch or appear pale. Breathlessness and extreme thirst occur. The older adult may fall unconscious.

What is GI bleeding?

GI bleeding is a serious health concern that refers to any bleeding that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. This includes organs that are involved in digestion such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The bleeding that occurs is a symptom of a digestive tract disorder and results in blood appearing in the stool or vomit. GI bleeding is difficult to detect as it can originate anywhere in the body, from the pharynx to the rectum.

What causes GI bleeding?

GI bleeding can be caused by several conditions. Diverticular disease (when pouches develop in the digestive tract) is the most common cause of GI bleeding in the elderly, with an incidence rate of 15-48 percent. Hemorrhaging can be severe and has a morbidity rate of 10-20 percent.

Peptic ulcer disease (when a sore develops along the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine) also commonly affects seniors, causing acute upper GI bleeding. Inflammatory bowel disease, which leads to inflammation in the colon and rectum, can cause GI bleeding.

Other causes of GI bleeding include benign or cancerous tumors that weaken the lining of the digestive tract, colon polyps along the lining of the colon, hemorrhoids, proctitis (a form of rectal inflammation), and anal fissures that cause small ruptures in the lining of the anus.

What are the symptoms of GI bleeding?

Older adults suffering from GI bleeding can display symptoms, such as abdominal cramps, pale skin, low blood pressure, and rapid pulse. They may experience shortness of breath, faintness or dizziness, weakness, or fatigue. Affected older adults may even fall unconscious.

GI bleeding can lead to the senior vomiting blood that resembles coffee grounds. If vomiting occurs, it contains bright red blood. Their stool may be mixed with bright or dark red blood. The senior’s stool may also appear black or tarry in color.

How do caregivers respond to internal bleeding?

A senior who shows signs of internal bleeding should receive prompt medical attention. A caregiver cannot provide effective first aid to treat internal bleeding—professional medical help is vital. Call for an ambulance as soon as possible upon becoming aware of the bleeding.

Check that the senior is conscious. Ask the elderly individual to lie down, then cover them with a blanket to keep them warm. If practical, elevate the senior’s legs above the level of their heart. Do not provide the care recipient with any food or beverages.

How is GI bleeding treated?

Effective treatment for GI bleeding can limit mortality rates in older individuals. Seniors should consume a high-fiber diet to treat hemorrhoids and anal fissures. The elderly individual’s physician can prescribe medications or antibiotics to clear the stomach of blood or clots.

Surgery may be necessary to remove harmful tumors and lumps as well as fix hemorrhoids. A doctor may recommend an IV proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to suppress acid inside the stomach. The cause of bleeding determines which treatment method is best. Discuss all options with a physician.

How long can a person live with GI bleeding?

Life expectancy varies once a senior develops GI bleeding. Factors that affect their lifespan include the cause of the GI bleeding and the speed at which they receive medical attention. Some older adults live many years with GI bleeding while others deteriorate rapidly.

When your aging loved one shows symptoms of internal or GI bleeding, it is critical to call for emergency medical services. Having a professional caregiver from Assisting Hands Home Care by the senior’s side ensures they receive prompt medical attention if or when symptoms arise.

Our elder care agency provides comprehensive non-medical in-home care to help keep seniors healthy, comfortable, and safe. Caregiver responsibilities include providing transport and escort to medical clinics and doctors’ offices, where they can be treated for internal bleeding or other health conditions.

We assist with personal hygiene tasks, like toileting and dressing. Caregivers prepare nutritious, high-fiber meals, serve beverages to keep seniors hydrated, perform light housekeeping, and give medication reminders. Companion care is included so older adults remain socially engaged and active.

The attention we pay to seniors’ health and well-being raises their overall quality of life. When dependable senior home care is right for your aging loved one in Sarasota, Florida, choose Assisting Hands Home Care. Schedule a free in-home consult and learn about our senior care services.