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The abdominal cavity lies just below the rib cage and above the pelvic cavity. Unlike the chest and the pelvic areas, there are no bones to protect the abdomen and any injury will cause serious damage to the internal organs. The internal organs that could be injured include your liver, your spleen or your stomach. It can also be that there are injuries to the pelvic and the abdominal region, the actual contents within them could require urgent medical assistance. Different organs react in different ways when they are subjected to any kind of trauma. Hollow organs, such as the bladder, tend to rupture, releasing their contents into the surrounding space. Solid organs, like the liver, tend to tear instead and they have bleeding. This may well be quite slow and overlooked. Signs and symptoms include bruising, bleeding or an obvious injury, pain, inability to stand, holding the injured area and finally nausea or vomiting. Treatment is to plac the patient as comfortable as possible at total rest. You may need to help them to lay down, usually on their back or on their affected side. Having their knees raised will help to release the spasms and pain. Ensure their clothing is loose, support them with pillows or blankets for comfort if needed and give them frequent reassurance. If trauma has caused a victim's internal organs to protrude outside the body, then do not touch them or try and push them back in, as doing so will cause greater complications. Instead, have the person lie flat with their knees bent and cover the organs with a moist sterile dressing composed of a material that will not stick to the affected organs. Do not allow the patient to eat or drink although they may be complaining about extreme hunger or thirst Finally, it is most important that you get immediate medical help as soon as possible. The job of the first aider is to stabilise the patient until professional help arrives.
Abdominal Injuries: Causes, First Aid, and Urgent Care
Understanding the Abdominal Cavity
Discover the significance of the abdominal cavity, its location, and the potential risks associated with injuries.
Abdominal Anatomy
Explore the unique characteristics of the abdominal cavity:
- Location: Positioned below the ribcage and above the pelvic cavity.
- Protective Challenge: Unlike the chest and pelvic cavities, there are no bones shielding the abdomen, making it vulnerable to injuries that can result in severe harm to abdominal organs like the liver, spleen, or stomach.
- Combined Injuries: In some cases, injuries may affect both the pelvic and abdominal regions, necessitating immediate medical attention.
Organ Responses to Trauma
Understand how different abdominal organs react to traumatic injuries:
- Hollow Organs: Hollow organs, such as the bladder, are prone to rupture when subjected to trauma, leading to the release of their contents into the surrounding area.
- Solid Organs: Solid organs like the liver tend to tear instead of rupturing, often resulting in slow bleeding that can easily go unnoticed.
First Aid for Abdominal Injuries
Learn the crucial steps to take when dealing with traumatic abdominal injuries:
- Protruding Organs: If an injury causes the patient's internal organs to protrude from the abdominal wall, do not attempt to push them back in, as this can worsen the situation.
- Correct Position: Have the individual lie flat with their knees bent and cover the exposed organs with a moist, sterile dressing made of non-adhesive material that won't cling to the affected organs.
- Restrict Food and Drink: Even if the patient complains of extreme hunger or thirst, refrain from allowing them to eat or drink.
Seek Immediate Medical Assistance
Remember that prompt medical help is essential for any injury. A first aid responder's role is to stabilize the patient until professional assistance arrives.