A brain hemorrhage refers to bleeding in the brain. Doctors may also refer to it as a brain bleed or an intracranial hemorrhage. A brain hemorrhage is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Because the firm skull bone encloses the brain with very little space for blood or swelling to expand, a brain hemorrhage squeezes and compresses brain tissue – causing brain damage.
If a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding, it takes blood supply away from the nearby brain tissue, causing a hemorrhagic stroke.
Additionally, compression from excessive bleeding may be so severe that oxygen rich blood is unable to flow to that region of brain tissue. A lack of oxygen in areas of the brain can lead to swelling, or cerebral edema.
Pooled blood from a bleed can also collect into a mass known as a hematoma. The pressure caused by a hematoma can prevent oxygen from reaching nearby brain cells, which can result in death of the oxygen deprived brain cells.
In this article, learn more about brain hemorrhage, its causes, how to recognize when one is occurring, and what to do.
There are
of brain hemorrhages. The type depends on the location of the bleeding:
Intracerebral hemorrhage: This type of bleeding occurs inside the functional tissue of the
. Doctors may also refer to it as
.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This bleeding occurs in the space between the brain and the membranes that cover it.
Subdural hemorrhage: This type happens below the inner layer of the dura and above the brain. The dura refers to a layer of connective tissue that make up the meninges (protect membrane) of the brain.
Epidural hemorrhage: This is when a bleed develops between the skull and the brain.
All types of brain hemorrhage can pose a serious risk to health.
can lead to a brain hemorrhage. These factors include:
, or a weakened bulge in a brain artery
extremely
blood vessel anomalies
recreational drug use
Age
The effects of a brain hemorrhage vary within different age groups. Brain hemorrhages are most likely to occur in older adults.
of the nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhages that occur in children are due to anomalies in the blood vessels. Other possible causes include blood diseases, brain tumors,
, or the use of alcohol or recreational drugs.
In infants, a brain hemorrhage can occur due to a birth injury or blunt force trauma to a pregnant person’s abdomen.
Symptoms and some of the treatment options are very similar in adults and children.
A brain bleed can lead to a lack of developmental abilities for young children, such as
. But a brain hemorrhage for an adult causes a decline in abilities that the adult already had, potentially with a long-term disability.
A brain hemorrhage can cause a range of different
symptoms. These
may include sudden
,
, numbness, or
of the face, arm, or leg. This is most likely to occur on one side of the body only.
Other symptoms include:
sudden, severe
problems with vision
loss of balance or coordination
or difficulty understanding
difficulty talking or slurred speech
stupor, lethargy, or
A brain hemorrhage is a medical emergency, and a person should contact emergency services immediately if they recognise any of the symptoms above.
often arise from a brain hemorrhage. Bleeding, swelling, compression, and lack of blood supply to affected areas of the brain cause immediate symptoms. As the swelling decreases and after treatment, some areas may remain permanently damaged.
Common problems after a brain hemorrhage include movement, speech, or memory issues.
Depending on the location of a hemorrhage and the damage that occurs, some complications may be permanent. These might include:
paralysis
numbness or weakness on one side of the body
difficulty swallowing
vision loss
reduced ability to speak or understand words
confusion or
personality change or emotional problems
or recurrent seizures
A brain hemorrhage usually causes very noticeable symptoms and signs, and doctors usually carry out diagnostic testing urgently to help identify the size and location of the bleed and to guide prompt treatment steps.
Imaging scans: Doctors typically perform a brain
immediately, as it is quick and can easily identify bleeding. They may order an
later, when a person is in a more stable condition, because an MRI takes longer than a CT scan.
Cerebral angiography: During cerebral
, a doctor injects a dye into the bloodstream and then takes
images of the brain, with the dye highlighting abnormally shaped blood vessels in or near the brain. A doctor may recommend this method when a person is in a stable condition.
Lumbar puncture: This is also known as a spinal tap, in which a doctor removes spinal fluid through a hollow needle for testing. Doctors less commonly use this method to diagnose brain hemorrhage.
Surgery
to treat a severe brain hemorrhage. Surgeons may operate to relieve some of the pressure on the brain.
If a burst cerebral aneurysm causes a hemorrhage, a healthcare professional may recommend cerebral angiography with imaging assistance, which is a minimally invasive procedure. In some cases, a surgeon may remove part of the skull and clip the artery. This procedure is called a
.
Other treatment options include
,
, and other medications to control symptoms, such as seizures and severe headaches.
Can people recover from a brain hemorrhage?
People can recover from a brain hemorrhage, although it is vital that they receive the correct treatment as soon as possible.
can help an individual adjust to life after a brain hemorrhage.
lifestyle changes to limit the risk of another hemorrhage
It is important that people protect themselves against the risk of
. Wearing seatbelts in cars or helmets when riding bikes or motorcycles are easy ways to protect the head and brain.
People who have a brain hemorrhage or a stroke have a
of another one within 5 years.
The
notes that making lifestyle changes can help an individual to reduce their risk or prevent a cerebrovascular event. Some examples include:
regularly monitoring and managing
, if applicable
managing blood sugar levels, if a person has
managing
levels
maintaining a
, which may involve losing weight for some individuals
eating a heart healthy diet,
the
regularly exercising
limiting alcohol intake
People should also make sure to take any medications as instructed by their doctor. They should contact their doctor if they have any concerns about side effects, as the doctor may be able to recommend alternative medications, in some cases.
Individual outlooks
depending on the severity and type of brain hemorrhage and other factors, such as a person’s overall health and how quickly they received treatment.
A 2020 study notes that the rate of mortality from intracerebral hemorrhage is
at 30 days after the event.
Treatments are always developing and a person’s individual outlook may be more positive than statistics suggest.
Brain hemorrhages are life-threatening and require urgent treatment and extended rehabilitation. Head injuries, certain medical conditions, and recreational drug use can increase the risk of brain hemorrhage.
However, wearing protection during activities that may risk traumatic brain injury, such as cycling, as well as engaging in a healthy, active, smoke-free lifestyle can reduce the risk of a brain hemorrhage.
People should contact their local emergency services immediately if they notice any signs of brain hemorrhage, such as sudden tingling, weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg.