What Happens When the Brain Bleeds?
Brain bleeding, which is alternatively known as brain hemorrhage, denotes a kind of stroke that results from the bursting of arteries in the brain. The burst of the arteries leads to localized bleeding in the tissues around the brain and the bleeding could cause the damage to brain cells.
Symptoms Related to Brain Bleeds
Symptoms and signs of brain bleeding vary depending on the extent of the tissue affected, the extent of the bleeding, and the location of the bleeding. Symptoms and signs may include:
- a severe headache
- difficulties swallowing and speaking, or even understanding spoken words
- loss of motor skills, and challenges in reading or writing, which may be accompanied by tremors
- vision change and nausea that may be accompanied by vomiting
- loss of consciousness, balance, and coordination
- lethargy and reduced alertness
- development of an abnormal sense of taste
- numbness and weakness in the legs or arm
- seizures that suddenly appear without previous history
Causes of Brain Bleeds
Brain bleeding primarily results from the irritation of brain tissues, which leads to swelling or cerebral palsy. The swelling increases pressure on arteries causing them to burst and create hematomas that prevent blood flow to the affected brain parts, thus damaging or killing the brain cells. The reason may contain, but or not limited to:
- chronic high blood pressure over a long period of time
- trauma, such as a blow to the head
- aneurysms that weaken the walls of blood vessels may also make the arteries swell and burst into the brain
- malformations in brain arteries and blood vessels
- amyloid angiopathy which is an abnormality of the walls of blood arteries often connected to high blood pressure and aging
- bleeding disorders such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia
- brain tumors and liver disease may also lead to brain bleeding
How Does a Brain Bleed Affect A Patient?
As mentioned previously, in the worst cases of brain bleeding, the result could be death. This is, of course, dependent on the severity of the bleed. Minor bleeding may not reason any significant or visible health challenges, and may not affect the lifespan of the individual. Where the bleed is located within the brain, as well as when it is detected and subsequently treated, may be determining factors of survival.
How is Brain Bleeds Treated?
Treatment of brain bleeds starts with a careful analysis of the brain through various imaging tests to conclude the locations of internal bleeding. Apart from the MRI and CT Scans, which reveal the situation of the bleeding, neurological examinations may be performed to determine if there is any swelling in the optic nerves. Treatments will vary by extent, reason, and location of the hemorrhage. Some diagnoses will require surgery to stop bleeding and to alleviate swelling. Others will necessitate medications such as anticonvulsants that control seizures, diuretics that reduce swelling, and corticosteroids and painkillers.