Causes of brain haemorrhage
Blood vessels in the brain can sustain damage and rupture, causing blood seeps into the surrounding tissue. This is called a brain haemorrhage and, along with blood clots in the brain, are also known as a ‘stroke’. A brain haemorrhage will often cause damage in the brain tissue and result in a variety of different neurological symptoms in the patient. These symptoms are important to be familiar with, since rapid treatment can save lives. There are multiple causes of a brain haemorrhage, including blunt trauma to the head, brain tumours, aneurysms, high blood pressure and blood disorders. Many of these conditions are seen in people, without they themselves are aware of them, since the conditions do not become symptomatic before a possible brain haemorrhage occurs. Read more about stokes here.
What do I need to be on the lookout for?
Symptoms of a brain haemorrhage vary greatly and will depend on the location in the brain. The brain is divided into regions, each with their own set of abilities; therefore, tissue damage in the front hemisphere will result in different symptoms than tissue damage in the back hemisphere. In some people symptoms manifest rapidly, while in others the symptoms develop over time – some symptoms worsen, while others disappear on their own. Here are the symptoms you must be especially aware of, since they can signal brain haemorrhages.
Remember FAST
- Face: Does one side of the face droop when the person is smiling?
- Arm: Is one arm weaker than the other, when the person tries to raise both (preferably on the same side as the face droops).
- Speech: Does the person have difficulties speaking or is the speech difficult to understand? Is the person saying strange things or formulate sentences oddly?
- Time: With a brain haemorrhage, every minute counts. Call 999 if you can answer yes to all the above!
Other frequently seen symptoms are:
- Sudden and severe headache
- Sudden weakness or paralysis in one side of the body
- A prickling, tickling, or sensation of numbness in one side of the body
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sight reduction or difficulties speaking
- Loss of coordination, balance, or consciousness
The symptoms can also indicate other conditions. However, if some of the symptoms above manifests suddenly or over a few hours, it is recommended that you contact a physician as soon as possible. In the meantime, you should have the person lie in a comfortable position on one side; cover the person with a blanket to reduce loss of heat and observe the person for any changes in condition. If you notice a change in the person conscious state, you should turn the person to a comfortable position on the other side. Carefully monitor the person’s breathing and avoid giving them anything to eat or drink. It is important that you can accurately describe the symptoms and when they appeared.
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