Brain hemorrhage is bleeding into the brain due to a ruptured artery in the brain. Brain is located inside the skull, which is not a flexible structure. So when bleeding occurs, the brain is compressed by the pressure caused by the incoming fluid, leading to serious life-threatening conditions like coma.
How can we be sure that there is a brain hemorrhage?
Neurologic examination of the physician will reveal that there is a condition increasing intracranial pressure. Neck stiffness, altered consciousness, neurological impairment in different parts of the body and observing bleeding in fundus examination helps diagnosing brain hemorrhage. CT or MRI will prove bleeding. Also, there can be blood found in cerebrospinal fluid. Angiography of brain vessel can show aneurysms and other vascular problems and identify the exact spot of bleeding.
What is the treatment of brain hemorrhage?
The aim of treatment is to save life, resolve symptoms, eliminate the cause of bleeding and prevent complications. Treatment of coma can be summarized as proper positioning of the patient, keeping the airway open, providing life support and draining the cerebrospinal fluid with a catheter from the head in order to decrease the intracranial pressure.
If the patient is conscious, absolute bed rest is recommended. Every activity that can increase the intracranial pressure including leaning down, stretching and sudden position changing must be avoided. Stool softeners or laxatives can be used to prevent the increase of intracranial pressure while straining to defecate.
Pain killers to relieve headache and anxiolytics to reduce anxiety can be used. If the blood pressure is too high, proper medication can be used for regulation. If the patient is having seizures, proper medication can be used for prevention. Physicians may use medications to prevent spasms in blood vessels. Surgical treatment is usually required. If the patient has an aneurysm (brain vessel balloon), clogging the balloon with a catheter through the groin without opening the skull (embolization) or aneurysm clipping by opening the skull with craniotomy can be performed. Surgical interventions can be required to remove the large amount of bleeding in the brain.
Can we prevent brain hemorrhages?
The most effective way to prevent brain hemorrhages is controlling the blood pressure, keeping it within normal limits. It is important to use the medication regularly, lose the extra weight and exercise. Also, if the aneurysm was detected incidentally, surgical treatment can be performed.