Understanding the causes and symptoms of a brain hemorrhage

Understanding the causes and symptoms of a brain hemorrhage
Hemorrhage is the medical term for blood loss. The condition results in significant bleeding which can be life-threatening in many cases. The bleeding is mainly classified into internal and external hemorrhage depending on the source of the blood loss. Common external bleeds occur from the mouth, lips, tongue, and the nose. Anything and everything from a simple papercut to injuries can cause external bleeds. Knees, ankle, elbow, and joints are the more common areas where internal bleeding is possible. A hemorrhage can also occur in large muscle groups as a result of an injury or medical condition.

Brain hemorrhage is one of the more severe and possibly life-threatening conditions when it comes to the sudden loss of blood. It is a type of stroke caused due to the bursting of an artery in the brain resulting in localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues. The sudden and unexpected blood loss irritates the brain tissue and causes swelling. The blood pool puts additional pressure on nearby brain cells blocking vital blood supply points that results in the deterioration of healthy cells.

Mentioned below are some of the causes of a brain hemorrhage:
There are several risk factors and triggers that increase the chances of a brain hemorrhage. These include:

  • High blood pressure
    It is one of the most common causes of a brain hemorrhage. Often, people don’t notice or acknowledge symptoms of high blood pressure as the condition slowly evolves over a period of time. The extra force used to pump blood through the circulatory system gradually weakens the blood vessel wall thus increasing the risk of a hemorrhage. Weak blood vessels rupture resulting in sudden blood loss that can clot and put pressure on the nearby brain cells.
  • Head trauma
    Blunt force trauma to the head due to an accident can cause a blood cot. It is difficult to stop the bleeding as the external force resulting from the accident is more than what the cranium is designed to withstand which is why people with head injuries lose blood rapidly.
  • An aneurysm
    An aneurysm results in the blood vessels weakening and swelling out of control. There is an imminent risk of rupture that can cause the blood to flow into the brain causing a hemorrhage. A brain aneurysm is life threatening which is why immediate medical attention is advisable to curb the bleeding.
  • Amyloid angiopathy
    Aging and high blood pressure increase the risk of abnormalities in blood vessels that develop over time. However, it is quite difficult to identify the symptoms as the bleeding is slow in the initial stages. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy results in amyloid deposits in the walls of the blood vessels weakening the structure over time.

There are certain noticeable symptoms of a brain hemorrhage and these are:
Depending on the location of the bleeding, the symptoms of brain hemorrhage will vary. Also one must take into account the fact that symptoms can develop suddenly or may take time depending on the cause and trigger. Common symptoms include:

  • Sudden and severe headaches.
  • Seizures, with no previous record of suffering from the condition.
  • Experiencing weakness in the arms or legs.
  • Lethargy leading to decreased alertness.
  • Changes and problems with vision.
  • Experiencing difficulties with regular speech.
  • Lack of coordination, balance, and gross motor skills.
  • Loss of consciousness.