Bleeding in brain

Description

Intracranial hemorrhage or bleeding in brain. It often occurs in persons with uncontrolled high blood pressure. Other causes include traumas, aneyrisms, blood clotting disturbances or brain tumor.

Symptoms

Headache, nausea, vomiting, alternation in wakefulness (consciousness level), visual alternations, difficult speech, slurred speech, difficult swallowing, difficulties in writing and reading, change in moves, incoordination of moves, loss of balance, seizures.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. Brain CT scan and MRI-magnetic resonance imaging are done.

Tests

CT scan

Additional analyses

Prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), cerebral angiogram, CT angiogram.

Specialists

Neurosurgery

Therapy

Treatment depends on the location, cause and extend of the bleeding. Surgery may be necessary and it is more common if the bleeding is in the cerebellum. Cause of bleeding must be removed and treatment should stop the process and, if needed, to prevent the recurrence, surgery will be performed to repair or remove structures that cause bleeding (such as brain aneyrism). Medicines for blood pressure control and problems with bleeding are needed. Diuretic (manitol) may be given to reduce the brain swelling and anticonvulsives are given sometimes to prevent the seizures.