A brain hemorrhage is bleeding that suddenly interferes with the brain’s function. This bleeding can occur either between the brain and the skull or within the brain, especially when you face a car accident. Brain hemorrhages account for about 20 percent of strokes. Hemorrhages divide into four main categories depending on the cause and site of the bleeding. Signs of a brain hemorrhage also differ based on what type of brain hemorrhage occurs.
Types and Causes of a Brain Hemorrhage
There are four types of hemorrhage, named according to where the bleeding occurs. These are:
- Subdural hemorrhage
- Extradural hemorrhage
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
Subdural and extradural hemorrhages are the most common type after traumatic brain injury, and they can cause further brain damage that can lead to long-term effects. Subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhages are more likely to happen without outside force. Small blood vessels rupture, often causing loss of consciousness. Sometimes a brain hemorrhage can occur after a seemingly minor head injury. Symptoms can develop rapidly or can take weeks to develop. Urgent treatment is necessary.
Subdural Hemorrhage
A subdural hemorrhage is also called hematoma. It is bleeding that occurs outside the brain, but inside the dura mater that surrounds the brain, as a result of a severe head injury. It takes place when blood vessels burst between the brain and the leather-like membrane that wraps around the brain. The pooling blood creates pressure on the brain’s surface, causing problems.
Extradural hemorrhage
Unlike subdural hemorrhages, in which head trauma is often difficult to clearly identify, extradural hemorrhages usually are precipitated by clearly defined head trauma. A young patient whose head may be struck during sports or because of a car crash, and they may or may not lose consciousness transiently. Following the injury, they regain normal consciousness in what is called a lucid interval, but usually have severe, ongoing headache. Over the next few hours, they may lose consciousness again gradually.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. A ruptured aneurysm or head injury can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage. One-third of patients survive with good recovery, one-third survive with a disability, and one-third die. Treatments attempt to stop the bleeding, restore normal blood flow, and prevent vasospasm.
The subarachnoid space is between the skull and brain. It has cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a cushion that protects the brain. When blood releases into the subarachnoid space, it irritates the lining of the brain, increases pressure on the brain, and damages brain cells. At the same time, areas of the brain that had gotten the oxygen-rich blood from the damaged artery are now deprived of blood, resulting in a stroke. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is frequently a sign of a ruptured aneurysm.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding within the brain tissue itself. It is a life-threatening type of stroke. A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen and blood supply. Intracerebral hemorrhage is most commonly caused by head trauma, hypertension, or arteriovenous malformations.
Treatment focuses on stopping the bleeding, removing the blood clot, also known as a hematoma, and relieving pressure on the brain. Tiny arteries bring blood to areas deep inside the brain. High blood pressure can cause these thin-walled arteries to rupture, releasing blood into the brain tissue. Enclosed within the rigid bones of the skull, clotted blood and fluid buildup increase the pressure that can crush the brain against the bone or cause the brain to shift and herniate. As blood spills into the brain, the area that the artery had supplied is now deprived of oxygen-rich blood; this is called a stroke. As blood cells within the clot die, toxins release that further damage brain cells in the area surrounding the hematoma.
This kind of brain hemorrhage can cause you a lot of money, time and can also create various other issues in your life. Therefore, you should consider hiring a personal lawyer from Krasney Law in order to get the best compensation.
