Hematoma vs. Ecchymosis: Differences and Similarities Topic Guide

Abdominal pain in adults can range from a mild stomach ache to severe pain. Examples of causes of abdominal pain in adults include appendicitis, gallbladder disease, gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, heart attack, kidney stones, diverticulitis, shingles, spider bites, and more. Information about when to seek medical care for abdominal pain is also provided.

Bleeding episodes can be minor, or major, depending on the trauma caused that creates the bleeding situation. Bleeding can lead to symptoms of: pale, cool, clammy skin; low blood pressure; lightheadedness, unconsciousness, and fast heart rate.

Hyphema is bleeding in the eye. Trauma to the eye can cause bleeding in the front (or anterior chamber) of the eye between the cornea and the iris. This may put a person at risk for glaucoma later in life.

Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture.

A bruise is a common skin injury that results in a discoloration of the skin. Symptoms and signs include pain and discolored skin. Applying a cold compress may speed healing and reduce swelling. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be taken for pain.

Cesarean section C-section) is a major abdominal childbirth surgery either planned because existing medical concerns about the mother's and/or child's health may complicate vaginal delivery, or performed as an emergency measure to extract the baby during a delivery that has turned dangerous, which can happen for a number of reasons. The most common reasons for C-section delivery are repeat cesarean delivery, previous cesarean deliveries, lack of labor progression, abnormal position of the fetus, fetal status, and emergency situations. Complications of cesarean childbirth may include excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, urinary function and bladder injury, bowel function and bowel injury, and prolonged hospital stays.What does a C-section look like?

Concussion (an injury to the brain) can be cause by significant blunt force trauma to the head, for example, falls, car accidents, being struck in the head. Treatment of concussion depends upon the severity of the injury. Concussions can be prevented by wearing protective gear when participating in sports, and taking care that homes are free from clutter and debris that can be easily tripped over.

Concussions and mild brain trauma is classified in different ways and has different symptoms. Doctors use various tests to determine risk and treatment.

A hematoma is a collection of blood outside a blood vessel, and there are various type that range from minor (in the skin, for instance) to life threatening (in the brain). A contusion is a type of hematoma. The definition of a contusion is a bruise, which occurs when blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of an injury.

What is a CT scan? Computerized tomography scans (CT scans) are important diagnostic tools for a variety of medical conditions. Some areas of the body frequently evaluated by CT scans include the brain, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and sinuses. The CT scan process uses X-rays and a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Both hematoma and a hemorrhage cause bleeding. A hemorrhage causes internal bleeding, while a hematoma is a collection of blood outside of the blood vessels, and usually, only cause bruises on the skin. However, hematomas can bleed internally too. The differences between the signs and symptoms of hematoma include a purplish or bluish skin, and a lump under the skin. Hematomas and hemorrhages in sensitive parts of the body, such as the brain or spine, will require medical treatment and can lead to serious complications or death if not treated promptly.

Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg, DVT) is a blood clot imbedded in one of the major veins of the lower body, including the legs, thighs, or pelvis. Disease and conditions that put you at risk of DVT are many, and include heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, pregnancy, estrogen therapy, prolonged periods of immobility, for example, sitting while traveling or confined to bed, trauma, being overweight, cancer, respiratory conditions, and advanced age. Symptoms of DVT include redness and warmth to the touch, leg swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg, redness or discoloration of the skin on the leg, leg cramps, edema, and pain. Treatment for a blood clot in the leg include medications, a vena cava filter, and graduated compression stockings. . You can prevent blood clots in the leg by moving around during prolonged periods of immobility, taking your medicine as your doctor has prescribed, getting up and moving as soon as possible after surgery or an illness (this lowers your chances of getting DVT), and exercising your leg muscles during long trips (particularly the lower leg muscles).

Edema is a condition in which fluid builds up in tissues in certain parts of the body causing swelling, pain, redness, and soreness. There are various types of edema. The most common type is peripheral edema, which affects the arms, legs, ankles, and feet. Edema is caused by many diseases and health problems like water retention, lymphedema, blood clots in the leg.

First aid is an important skill to learn in case of emergencies. Learn how to prevent injuries, prevent falls, prevent fires, prevent poisoning, when to seek urgent care for injuries, and what to stock in a first aid kit in your home, office, car, boat, or RV.

First aid kits come in all types and varieties depending on their use. There are home, car, work, and travel first aid kits. The essentials for a first kit depends on the type, for example, home first aid kits are used for treating minor injuries like burns, stings, splinters, sprains, and strains. Travel first aid kits need to be more comprehensive to treat fevers, sore throats, cough, etc..Keep your first aid kits in places that are easy to access in emergencies. Moreover, make sure that you know how to use all of the items as instructed.

A hematoma is a collection of blood outside a blood vessel usually caused by injury to the blood vessel wall. Causes of hematoma include: trauma, head injury, bumps, infections, and diseases. Symptoms may be pain, redness, and swelling. Treatment of hematoma depends on the cause.

Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues, and returns carbon monoxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Hemoglobin values are related to a person's age and sex. Low hemoglobin levels in the blood are referred to as anemia. High hemoglobin levels in the blood are caused by cancer, lung diseases, bone marrow disorders, blood doping, living at a high altitude, and inappropriate use of the drug Epogen. Treatment of a high or low hemoglobin level depends on the cause.

Internal bleeding may be caused by trauma, medications, or insufficient clotting factors. Symptoms of internal bleeding may be: pain, referred pain, change in stool color, blood in the urine, or change in vision, or change in mental function. Treatment of internal bleeding depends on the cause.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, abdomen, and pelvis. MRI is a very safe procedure; sedation may be used for infants, small children, or adults who are claustrophobic.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. The clot typically comes from other areas of the body and travels to the lung, where it becomes lodged. Pulmonary embolism can cause serious problems, from shortness of breath to instantaneous death, depending on the nature of the clot.

Steroid abuse is common in athletes in professional sports. Androgenic/anabolic steroids regulate the manufacture of testosterone in the ovaries and testicles. Signs and symptoms of anabolic steroid abuse include rapid weight gain, acne, increased aggressiveness, and unusual mood swings.

Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding in eye) is a bursting of small blood vessels in the sclera, or white part of the eye, located under the thin, moist membrane that covers the eye called the conjunctiva. The hemorrhage appears as a red blotch in the white of the eye.

A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood in the space between the nailbed and fingernail. Subungual hematoma results from a direct injury to the fingernail. Symptoms and signs include a dark discoloration under the nail and intense pain. Treatment involves icing the injured digit, elevating the injured digit, taking pain medications, and draining the blood beneath the nail.