While a brain bleed can heal itself, you cannot estimate the extent of the damage without the knowledge of a medical professional. If you believe that you or a loved one has a brain bleed and choose not to seek help, you risk a life-threatening event.
A hemorrhagic stroke, or brain bleed, may occur inside or outside of the brain, according to Harvard Health Publishing. This type of emergency can interfere with neurological and motor functions. A severe brain bleed can cause a coma, paralysis, or death. A doctor may perform a series of imaging scans, including a CT or MRI scan, to check for evidence of this condition. The doctor may also take fluid from the spinal cord for lab testing.
A Brain Bleed Is a Stroke
This medical condition can kill neural cells and cause damage and compression to brain tissue since it deprives the organ of oxygen. Bleeding inside or outside of the cranium can create increased pressure within the skull. When this happens, the brain bleeds faster, leading to dangerous and sometimes fatal results.
While some suffer temporary or permanent brain damage, others recover completely; therefore, we recommend that you seek immediate medical attention for yourself or your loved one if you suspect this condition.
Types of Brain Hemorrhages
Medical experts use the location of the bleeding to determine the type of hemorrhage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses two categories to classify brain bleeds:
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: This occurs when an artery in the brain breaks open and drains blood into the nearby areas of the brain.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This occurs when bleeding occurs between the brain and its membrane.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, about one third to two thirds of patients afflicted with an intracerebral hemorrhage pass away. Typically, those with subarachnoid hemorrhages die before getting treatment in a hospital. Patients who make it to a hospital with a subarachnoid still have a chance of dying within the first month of medical treatment. Factors including the quality of medical care, the extent of the bleed, and the presence of abnormal growths may decrease the rate of fatality.
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Causes
Two causes of brain bleeds include cerebral aneurysms and elevated blood pressure. The former occurs when a section of a blood vessel becomes enlarged and bursts. The latter, when left unchecked, can weaken the arterial walls.
A person’s risk for a brain bleed increases as they age. Since older adults live at a higher risk for high blood pressure, they face an elevated chance of developing this condition.
Symptoms
Even though sudden, intense headaches may occur due to brain bleeds, not everyone exhibits this symptom.
Other symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Facial paralysis
- Nausea or vomiting
- Vision problems
- One-sided tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Decreased cognitive understanding
- Difficulty talking or slurred speech
- Lethargy or unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Difficulty using fine motor skills
If you or a loved one notices any of these symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention may lower the risk of complications or death.
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Treatment
Since a brain bleed is a serious medical condition, doctors monitor patients very closely and attempt to stop the bleeding. Many times, if a patient survives the initial hemorrhage, the brain bleed will heal itself by the time a doctor intervenes.
Treatment may include:
- Early treatment
- Intravenous access
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
Some ongoing complications you may experience after a brain bleed include paralysis, impaired speech, and changes in cognitive processes.
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Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for Help after an Accident
When you entrust the care of an elderly loved one to a nursing home, you expect them to receive the dignity and respect they deserve. If your loved one has suffered a brain bleed, there is a possibility that it resulted from malpractice on the part of the nursing home. Neglect or physical abuse can cause an artery in the brain to burst and lead to internal bleeding.
A lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may help you fight against any neglect, abuse, and unfair treatment your loved one may have experienced. We proudly provide our clients with the compassion and fierce legal advocacy they deserve. Since we do not want to impose any financial burden on you or your family, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. Call us at (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation.
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