What Are the Warning Signs of Internal Bleeding After a Fall?

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Your Health Magazine Contributor

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What Are the Warning Signs of Internal Bleeding After a Fall?

When an accident happens quickly, you may not notice injuries right away. Signs of internal bleeding include abdominal pain, shortness of breath, severe headaches, and dizziness. These injuries can be serious if left untreated. 

Internal bleeding can develop without obvious external wounds, and symptoms may appear gradually as blood accumulates inside the body. Knowing the possible warning signs is important because some internal injuries can worsen before they become easy to recognize.

This article explains how to tell whether you have internal injuries from a fall and also explains the early signs of internal bleeding and what steps to take. Understanding these warning signs can help you prepare and seek medical care promptly.

Signs and Symptoms of Internal Bleeding After a Fall

Symptoms of internal bleeding after a fall vary from person to person and will often depend on the body part injured. Because they are not visible, people often assume they are fine and delay going to the hospital.

Watch for the signs below, which may develop immediately or later.

• Fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Seizures

An injury that damages your skin is easy to see. It bleeds, and you immediately see what hurts and what caused it. Internal injuries aren’t as easy to detect.

Internal bleeding occurs inside your body, such as in the brain or stomach. It happens when blood escapes from the circulatory system and accumulates inside body cavities. It is often a result of trauma or injury after a fall or accident.

Because you cannot see it, it’s important to know the early signs to increase your chances of survival.

Symptoms of Internal Bleeding by Body Area

Internal Bleeding in Your Head

• Weakness on one side of your body
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Loss of balance and eye focus
• Difficulty writing
• Severe headache

Internal Bleeding in Your Stomach or Chest

• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Blood in urine
• Dizziness

Internal Bleeding in Your Muscles or Joints

Internal bleeding into the muscles can be associated with broken bones, especially in the shin or forearm. These are symptoms:

• Joint pain
• Swelling in a joint
• Difficulty walking

Seek Medical Care Immediately

Even if you feel okay after an accident, you might have suffered internal injuries from a fall. That’s why you should seek medical attention right away.

Signs such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe headaches might indicate lung and brain injury. The abdomen contains various vital organs. When it is filled with blood, the muscles tighten, and the abdomen may feel hard.

These symptoms can worsen over time if not treated quickly. Doctors can perform various tests to determine where exactly the internal bleeding is. Early diagnosis can help prevent the problem from worsening and shorten your hospital stay.

Medical records also serve as important documentation if you believe the fall occurred because of unsafe property conditions. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, property owners and occupiers generally have a duty to exercise ordinary care in keeping their premises and approaches safe for invitees.

Whether that duty was breached depends on the specific circumstances of the fall, including the condition that caused it and what the property owner knew or should have known.

Key Takeaway

• Internal injuries may not be visible right away after a fall and may worsen over time.
• Signs of internal bleeding include shortness of breath, dizziness, and severe headaches.
• Symptoms of internal bleeding often depend on which body part was injured.
• Internal injuries can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and brain injuries.
• You can file a claim if you believe you slipped and fell because of a property owner’s carelessness.
• Seek medical care immediately if you suspect you have serious internal injuries that are bleeding.