KnowledgeBooth.net | Brain hemorrhage – Symptoms, causes, types, and management

A brain hemorrhage is a stroke that develops when an artery in the brain bursts, causing bleeding in the surrounding tissues. Also called intracranial, cerebral, or intracerebral hemorrhage, the condition accounts for approximately 13% of all strokes. As the condition can worsen quickly, it is crucial to get immediate care and treatment if one notices any signs of a hemorrhage. So, here is all one should know about this emergency condition:

Symptoms
Typically, brain hemorrhage may result in various symptoms, including numbness, weakness, sudden tingling, or paralysis in the legs, arms, or face. However, the signs are most likely to develop on one side of the body. One may also experience the following issues:

Issues with vision
Severe, sudden headache
Seizures
Lethargy, stupor, or unconsciousness
Difficulty understanding or confusion
Trouble swallowing
Loss of coordination or balance
Slurred speech and difficulty talking

Recognizing these signs can help one seek timely treatment and avoid further complications.

Causes
While all blood vessels can bleed, bleeding in the brain is uncommon and may have a precipitating factor. So, some common causes of brain hemorrhage are:

Brain tumor: Malignant or benign tumors may trigger bleeding by exerting pressure on the surrounding blood vessels as they expand. It gradually weakens the vessels over time, making them more likely to rupture.

Head trauma: A head injury from an accident, fall, or any other blow can cause bleeding between the skull and the surrounding membrane. This leads to subarachnoid, subdural, or extradural hemorrhage.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: This is a protein build-up within the artery walls in the brain that weakens them or makes them rupture or leak.

Ruptured aneurysm: Here, an aneurysm or bulge in the artery ruptures due to high blood pressure or hypertension. Straining or heavy lifting might also exert pressure on the brain, triggering a tear.

Arteriovenous malformations: Defects in the connection between the veins and arteries can weaken the vessels, making them leak or burst.

Hemorrhagic conversion: When the blood flow to the brain is curtailed, it can lead to an ischemic stroke. This can cause increased pressure in the blood vessels, which may eventually burst and result in a condition called hemorrhagic conversion.

Risk factors
Some of the risk factors associated with brain hemorrhage are:

Uncontrolled hypertension
Bleeding disorders
Being over 75
Prescriptions or treatments that interfere with blood clotting

These factors amplify the risk of developing a hemorrhage after head trauma.

Types
The type of brain hemorrhage is determined by the location of the bleeding. Some common types include:

Epidural hemorrhage occurs between the organ and the skull.
Subdural hemorrhage develops below the dura layer and above the brain.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage bleeding develops between the brain and the membranes enveloping it.
Intracerebral hemorrhage develops within the brain.

Diagnosis
Diagnosing brain bleeds can be difficult as one may not exhibit any early physical symptoms. A health professional will conduct some tests to find the exact location of the rupture in the brain. Some tests that help healthcare professionals diagnose the issue are:

MRI or CT scan
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture, wherein the doctor removes the spinal fluid using a hollow needle for testing
Cerebral angiography, wherein the specialist inserts a dye and performs a brain X-ray where the dye highlights the abnormally shaped blood vessels in or near the brain.

Treatment
Surgery is usually required to treat brain hemorrhage. Surgeons will operate to reduce the pressure on the brain. They will perform a craniotomy when hemorrhage results from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. The procedure involves removing part of the skull and clipping the artery. Some other treatment options include anti-epileptic, anti-anxiety, or other prescriptions to lower the symptoms like headaches or seizures. People can recover from hemorrhage, but getting timely treatment is imperative. Rehabilitation can help one adapt to life after experiencing a brain hemorrhage. Some rehabilitation options the doctor may recommend are: