Q. What happens during a brain hemorrhage?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
During a brain hemorrhage, there is bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue or the spaces surrounding the brain. This bleeding can lead to a range of symptoms and medical complications. The specific events that occur during a brain hemorrhage can vary depending on the type of hemorrhage and its location. Here's a general overview of what happens during some common types of brain hemorrhages:
Intracerebral Hemorrhage:
- In this type of hemorrhage, a blood vessel within the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain tissue.
- The accumulation of blood within the brain can create pressure on surrounding brain tissue and disrupt normal brain function.
- As pressure increases, brain cells can be damaged or destroyed, and the brain's electrical activity can be affected.
- Symptoms can include severe headache, neurological deficits (such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body), altered consciousness, and in severe cases, coma.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:
- This type of hemorrhage involves bleeding into the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain (subarachnoid space).
- Often caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, the sudden bleeding can lead to a "thunderclap" headache, which is an excruciatingly severe headache that comes on suddenly.
- Blood in the subarachnoid space can irritate the brain and its coverings, causing neurological symptoms such as confusion, visual disturbances, and sensitivity to light.
- If a significant amount of blood accumulates, it can lead to increased intracranial pressure and potentially damage brain tissue.
Subdural Hematoma and Epidural Hematoma:
- These types of hematomas involve bleeding between the brain and its outer covering (subdural) or between the skull and its outer covering (epidural).
- Subdural hematomas are often caused by head injuries that tear blood vessels between the brain and its coverings, leading to bleeding that can accumulate over time.
- Epidural hematomas are usually caused by trauma that results in the tearing of an artery, leading to bleeding between the skull and the outermost covering of the brain.
- Both types of hematomas can cause symptoms such as headache, confusion, nausea, and changes in consciousness. Rapidly expanding hematomas can lead to increased intracranial pressure and compression of brain tissue.
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