Physicians in ancient Greece and Rome responded to the problem of hemorrhaging by introducing a technique of ligating, or tying off, blood vessels during surgery. Oddly, their techniques were apparently forgotten for centuries. During those times, blood vessels were cauterized instead, using boiling oils or hot irons.
Bleeding (Hemorrhage)
Bleeding easily or excessively is a severe symptom that needs prompt medical attention because it relates to many diagnoses. Leukemia is but one of several severe diseases that can cause unexplained bleeding. Other instances of bleeding that are cause for concern include nosebleeds, bruising easily, bleeding gums, blood in the stool or urine, and vaginal or rectal bleeding.
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredYes, heredity can play a role in hemorrhaging or, as they are more commonly called, blood-clotting disorders. The most common inherited clotting disorders are hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Clotting disorders can be acquired and caused by vitamin K deficiency, liver disease and inappropriate dosing of anticoagulation with warfarin or heparin.
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Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersMost of us have had a cut in our lives with bleeding, but the majority of people have (fortunately) never had such a cut that required an ER visit. Mild bleeding stops either on its own (without you having to do anything) or with a few minutes of pressure. Examples include a slight scrape, a cut while shaving or pricking your finger on a thorn. Injuries with mild bleeding typically only involve washing well with water and soap, and a small Band Aid. Moderate bleeding is due to a more significant injury, with bleeding that slows or stops with pressure, but starts again if you remove pressure. It may also soak through several bandages, but the key here is that it still does stop with pressure. People with this amount of bleeding have typically either injured a blood vessel, or are taking blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin. Examples of moderate bleeding can include a nosebleed that starts back as soon as you take off pressure, a cut to the scalp (often from a fall) or other deeper cut to the body. In many cases, pressure for 10 minutes or so to the area can stop the bleeding, in which case a bandage is sufficient. Of note: If you do use a pressure bandage that is tight or squeezing, do not leave it in a single position for 30 minutes or longer, especially on a child or elderly person. Doing so can damage the blood flow to tissues beyond the bandage. Severe bleeding is the most dangerous and may be pumping, does not stop nor slow with pressure or soaks through one bandage after another. This amount of bleeding is usually due to injury to either an artery (blood vessels under the greatest amount of pressure) or large vein, and requires emergency treatment.