Hypovolemia occurs when the body has lost too much blood or body fluid to support normal circulation and body functions. Though hypovolemia has many causes, the main treatment for hypovolemia is to replace blood or fluid that has been lost, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Hypovolemia is a medical emergency. If not corrected early, hypovolemia will lead to hypovolemic shock, a serious condition that may result in organ failure and death.
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage occurs when the body loses a significant amount of blood. Medline Plus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, advises that losing more than one fifth of the body's blood volume will result in hypovolemia. This can occur from injury inside the body or outside of the body, from illness or trauma. Lacerations or punctures to the skin, muscle, veins and arteries can cause hemorrhage. A fractured pelvis or femur may cause significant bleeding. Bleeding ulcers or damaged organs like the liver or spleen also contribute to rapid blood loss.
Burns
Severe burns damage the deeper layers of skin and may affect muscle and bone. Burned areas that are deep or cover a large part of the human body can cause hypovolemia. Burned skin is unable to retain moisture and fluid. In some cases, blood vessels sustain burn damage, rendering them unable to supply and circulate blood. A reduction in body fluid causes blood volume to decrease, which results in poor circulation and hypovolemia.
Diarrhea and Vomiting
Illness that affects the stomach and intestines, also known as gastrointestinal illness, can cause hypovolemia. Excessive diarrhea and vomiting reduces fluid levels in the tissues and organs. A person who is ill may not be able to consume fluids by mouth to replace the fluids she has lost from illness. "Critical Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review and Practice Exams" by Thomas Ahrens and colleagues suggests intravenous fluid replacement with normal saline to help restore fluid balance and reduce the risk of hypovolemia, if appropriate.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when core body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius. Core body temperature is taken inside the body, such as rectally, to determine the true body temperature. During hypothermia, the body loses more heat than it can produce and causes circulatory, respiratory and neurological functions to slow down. Hypothermia may cause blood vessels to constrict, inhibiting blood flow and circulation. A person with hypothermia requires warming and intravenous fluids to help correct hypovolemia, according to Merck Manuals.
