Brain Hemorrhage is a type of stroke which causes internal bleeding in parts of the brain. Hemo- is a Greek prefix that means blood and ‘hemorrhage’ literally means ‘burst of blood.’
The bleeding is caused by the bursting of an artery in the brain causing severe damage to the brain cells in the affected area. Depending on the location, Brain hemorrhage can be classified into three major types: –
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
Bleeding might happen inside the brain, between the brain and the membranes that cover it, between the layers of the brain’s covering, or between the skull and the covering of the brain.
What happens during a Brain Hemorrhage?
Excessive bleeding due to trauma. The trauma caused can be external or internal. It can be caused inside the brain or effect of other underlying conditions like blood pressure.
Bleeding causes swelling in brain tissue. This condition is known as Edema. When the blood form clots inside the brain and causes pressure on areas nearby, it is called a Hematoma.
Severe hematoma can cause lapses in consciousness and memory, breathing problems, paralysis, and death.
Causes of Brain Hemorrhage
As mentioned above numerous external and internal factors can cause a brain hemorrhage. Some of the major causes are: –
- Head Trauma due to injury
- Chronic high blood pressure can weaken the walls of blood vessels over time. It can lead to aneurysms and hemorrhage.
- Abnormality is blood vessels of the brain due to malformations during birth or weakening due to old age.
- Hemophilia and Sickle Cell Anemia
- Brain Tumors
Major Symptoms of Brain Hemorrhage
The symptoms of brain hemorrhage vary according to its placement in the brain, severity, and underlying cause. A sudden severe headache combined with nausea, unconsciousness, loss of motor functions, and numbness is the most common symptom of a mild to middling-level hemorrhage.
Further degradation in motor functions like difficulty in speaking and listening, problems in vision, lack of coordination and balance, loss of sense of taste, seizures, and paralysis can happen if the condition gets severe.
Keep in mind that some of these symptoms are common to other conditions like migraines for example.
Diagnosis And Treatment
Doctors use a CT scan or MRI to ascertain the scope and severity of the damage caused to the brain. A neurological exam or eye exam can also be done in case of bleeding affecting an optic nerve.
There are medications available for the treatment of minor hemorrhage and hematoma. Doctors usually prescribe painkillers, corticosteroids, or osmotic to reduce swelling, and anticonvulsants to control seizures.
In case the damage is large-scale or life-threatening; surgery may be needed to remove clotting and prevent bleeding and worsening of damage.
Some patients recover completely from a brain hemorrhage while many others have to live with the repercussions or die due to them. A hemorrhage leads to a stroke, brain seizure, paralysis, or loss of brain function, sometimes even after prompt medical treatment.
Prevention
We cannot predict a sudden injury. But we can take precautions to avoid them. We can also take precautions against underlying conditions like high blood pressure to prevent a chance of brain hemorrhage. Chronic high blood pressure does not just cause brain hemorrhage but also alleviates the effect if the hemorrhage has been caused by external trauma.
Strive to control your blood pressure through proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Stop smoking and drinking. And, always take precautions during activities where one is prone to head injuries like motorcycling or sports.
Park Hospital is the top hospital in Panipat with world-class healthcare services provided by a dedicated team of medical professionals. If You are having even minor symptoms pertaining to brain hemorrhage, please immediately visit Park Hospital for treatment under the best neurosurgeons in Panipat.
