Brain Hemorrhage

What is a brain hemorrhage?

A brain hemorrhage is bleeding in or around your brain. Brain hemorrhages have different names depending on where they occur:

Intracranial hemorrhage:

An intracranial hemorrhage is bleeding anywhere inside the skull.

Intracerebral hemorrhage:

An intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding inside your brain.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage:

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding inside the subarachnoid space (the area between your brain and the tissue covering it).

Subdural or epidural hematomas:

An epidural hematoma is bleeding above the dura that covers the brain. A subdural hematoma is bleeding below the dura.

People who experience brain hemorrhages often have stroke symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, numbness, problems walking, and falls. Around 13% of strokes are due to a brain hemorrhage.

Why would I have a brain hemorrhage?

Brain hemorrhages have various causes, including:

Aneurysms:

Aneurysms are weak spots in arteries that swell with blood. The aneurysm could rupture at any time, causing blood to flood the brain.

High blood pressure (hypertension):

High blood pressure weakens the artery walls, increasing the risk of a rupture. Blood pools in your brain, causing stroke symptoms.

Trauma:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from collisions, sports injuries, and other accidents are common causes of subdural and epidural hematomas.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs):

AVMs are abnormal links between arteries and veins that are sometimes present at birth. 

Cancer:

Cancer that spreads from other parts of the body (metastasizes) into the brain sometimes triggers hemorrhages in the affected areas.

Older people may experience a hemorrhagic stroke because of amyloid protein deposits in their blood vessels.

How are brain hemorrhages treated?

Brain hemorrhage treatments focus on reducing swelling in the hemorrhaging area and stabilizing your blood pressure. You might need a breathing assistance machine (ventilator) to ensure your brain and other organs receive enough oxygen.

If there’s bleeding inside your brain, the pressure inside your skull will require close monitoring to prevent life-threatening outcomes. The team also monitors your heart rhythms and blood oxygen levels.

Medications help to maintain healthy blood pressure and prevent seizures. You might benefit from pain medication if you’re conscious. Once your condition stabilizes, your Advanced Neurology of Katy provider can address the brain hemorrhage’s underlying cause.

Call Advanced Neurology of Katy today or book an appointment online for more information about brain hemorrhages.