How is hemorrhage defined?

Hemorrhage is defined as excessive bleeding, which refers to an abnormal or excessive loss of blood from the circulatory system. This definition encompasses a variety of situations where blood loss is significant enough to potentially lead to health complications, shock, or even death if not addressed promptly. Hemorrhage can occur externally, through wounds or injuries, or internally, due to medical conditions or injuries that cause bleeding within the body.

Minor bleeding, while it can be a form of hemorrhage in certain contexts, does not meet the definition of hemorrhage, which typically indicates a more severe situation. Blood in urine, known as hematuria, is a specific condition that indicates the presence of blood in urine but is not classified as hemorrhage in general terms. Likewise, coughing up large amounts of blood, termed hemoptysis, is also a specific symptom indicating bleeding within the respiratory tract and not the overall definition of hemorrhage. Thus, the term "excessive bleeding" is the most accurate definition of hemorrhage.