What is Hemorrhage?
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is when blood suddenly bursts into brain tissue, causing damage to the brain. Symptoms usually appear suddenly during ICH. They include headache, weakness, confusion, and paralysis, particularly on one side of the body. The buildup of blood puts pressure on the brain and interferes with its oxygen supply. This can quickly cause brain and nerve damage.
What Causes Hemorrhage?
High blood pressure is the most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage. In younger people, another common cause is abnormally formed blood vessels in the brain. Other causes include:
- head injury or trauma
- ruptured cerebral aneurysm (weak spot in a blood vessel that bursts)
- arteriovenous malformation (a grouping of malformed blood vessels in the brain that disrupts normal blood flow)
- use of blood thinners
- bleeding tumors
- cocaine use (can cause severe hypertension and lead to hemorrhage)
- bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, sickle cell anemia)
Anyone can have an intracerebral hemorrhage, but your risk increases with age. According to the Mayfield Clinic, men are at higher risk than women, as are middle-aged people of Japanese or African-American descent.
What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhage?
Symptoms of ICH include:
- sudden weakness, tingling, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on only one side of the body
- sudden onset of severe headache
- trouble swallowing
- trouble with vision in one or both eyes
- loss of balance and coordination, dizziness
- trouble with language skills (reading, writing, speaking, understanding)
- nausea, vomiting
- apathy, sleepiness, lethargy, loss of consciousness
- confusion, delirium
This is a serious medical condition. If you or someone near you is having symptoms of stroke, call 911 immediately.
Diagnosis Hemorrhage
If you have some symptoms of ICH, a doctor will perform a neurological exam. Imaging tests determine if you’re having an ischemic stroke (blockage) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding). Diagnostic testing for ICH may include a CT scan. This type of test creates images of the brain, which can detect skull fractures or confirm bleeding. MRI may help your doctor see the brain more clearly to better identify the cause of the bleeding. An angiogram uses X-ray technology to take pictures of blood flow within an artery. Blood tests can identify immune system disorders, inflammation, and blood clotting problems that can cause bleeding in the brain.
Treatment for Hemorrhage
Treatment within the first three hours of the onset of symptoms generally results in a better outcome. Surgery can relieve pressure on the brain and repair torn arteries. Certain medications can help manage symptoms, such as painkillers to ease severe headaches. Antianxiety drugs may be necessary to control blood pressure. If your doctor determines that you’re at risk for seizures, antiepileptic drugs may be necessary. Long-term treatment will be needed to overcome symptoms caused by damage to the brain. Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include physical and speech therapy to help restore muscle function or improve communication. Occupational therapy may help a person regain certain skills and independence by practicing and modifying everyday activities.
Recovery following ICH differs greatly from person to person, and will depend on a variety of factors, including your age and overall health, the location of the hemorrhage, and the extent of the damage.
