BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT
CAUSES
There are many causes of brain hemorrhaging. Some of them include a tangling of blood vessels, called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM); bleeding disorders; cerebral aneurysms; head injury; and the use of blood thinners. Drug use and smoking may also cause hemorrhages.
SYMPTOMS
- Sudden, severe headache
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body
- Difficulty with swallowing or vision
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Difficulty understanding, speaking (slurring nonsensical speech), reading or writing
- Change in level of consciousness or alertness, marked by lethargy, stupor, sleepiness or coma
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
- nimodipine (branded as Nymalize) to prevent artery spasms
- medicines to control blood pressure
- phenytoin (Dilantin or Phenytek) or other medications to prevent or treat
- painkillers and anti-anxiety medicines to relieve headache and reduce pressure in the skull
- stool softeners or laxatives to prevent straining during bowel movements
- If there is a large amount of bleeding, surgery may be needed to drain the blood and repair damage, according to the Mayo Clinic. A doctor may also prescribe anticonvulsant drugs to control or prevent post-traumatic seizures after surgery.