The social care and support guide explains your options and where you can get support if: Show
What is an intracranial hemorrhage? Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) refers to acute bleeding inside your skull or brain. It’s a life-threatening emergency. You should go to the emergency room right away or call 911 if you think you or someone you know is experiencing ICH. There are four types of ICH:
Epidural hematomaA hematoma is a collection of blood, in a clot or ball, outside of a blood vessel. An epidural hematoma occurs when blood accumulates between your skull and the outermost covering of your brain. It typically follows a head injury, and usually with a skull fracture. High-pressure bleeding is a prominent feature. If you have an epidural hematoma, you may briefly lose consciousness and then regain consciousness. Subdural hematomaA subdural hematoma is a collection of blood on the surface of your brain. It’s typically the result of your head moving rapidly forward and stopping, such as in a car accident. However, it could also suggest abuse in children. This is the same type of movement a child experiences when being shaken. A subdural hematoma is more common than other ICHs in older people and people with history of heavy alcohol use. Subarachnoid hemorrhageA subarachnoid hemorrhage is when there’s bleeding between the brain and the thin tissues that cover the brain. These tissues are called meninges. The most common cause is trauma, but it can also be caused by rupture of a major blood vessel in the brain, such as from an intracerebral aneurysm. A sudden, sharp headache usually comes before a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Typical symptoms also include loss of consciousness and vomiting. Intracerebral hemorrhageIntracerebral hemorrhage is when there’s bleeding inside of your brain. This is the most common type of ICH that occurs with a stroke. It’s not usually the result of injury. A prominent warning sign is the sudden onset of neurological deficit. This is a problem with your brain’s functioning. The symptoms progress over minutes to hours. They include:
Most ICHs are due to a head injury. Any activities or lifestyle choices that put you at risk for a head injury can lead to ICH. Factors that increase your risk include: The signs and symptoms of ICH vary depending on the type, but they usually include:
ICH in childrenICH in a child can indicate child abuse. The damage may be the result of a blow to the head or by shaking the child. This can lead to shaken baby syndrome. This is a condition that occurs when violent shaking leads to serious brain damage in a child. Other signs of child abuse are:
Babies less than 12 months old may develop a swollen fontanel, or soft spot. Report suspected child abuse right away by calling 911 or 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The first step your doctor will take to diagnose ICH is a CT scan of your head. A CT scan can show abnormalities in your brain like swelling or clots. The CT scan may not show any sign of ICH. If you’re still having symptoms, your doctor may choose to perform a lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, to test the fluid that cushions your spine and brain. ICH is a medical emergency. Survival depends on getting treatment right away. It may be necessary to operate to relieve the pressure on the skull. Drilling a small hole in the skull releases blood. Drilling a larger hole or removing a piece of the skull may be necessary to remove a blood clot. MedicationsThe following drugs may be necessary: An ICH can lead to any of the following complications:
Basic preventive measures that can help avoid head injuries include the following:
The outlook depends on the severity of the hemorrhage and how quickly you get medical care. Remember, ICH is a life-threatening condition. Depending on the severity of the hemorrhage, draining a hematoma can lead to recovery. Physical or occupational therapy is sometimes needed to help you return to normal activities.
A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It is an emergency situation. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to work well. If blood supply is stopped even for a short time, this can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. When brain cells die, brain function is lost. You may not be able to do things that are controlled by that part of the brain. For example, a stroke may affect your ability to:
A stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
A stroke is caused when blood flow to your brain is stopped or disrupted. There are 2 kinds of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
At just 47 years old, Amy wasn't expecting a stroke would leave her unable to identify or communicate with her own family members. See how the expertise of Dr. Rafael Llinas helped her get the diagnosis and treatment she needed.
Anyone can have a stroke at any age. But your chance of having a stroke increases if you have certain risk factors. Some risk factors for stroke can be changed or managed, while others can’t. Risk factors for stroke that can be changed, treated, or medically managed:
Risk factors for stroke that can’t be changed:
Other risk factors include:
A stroke is an emergency situation. It’s important to know the signs of a stroke and get help quickly. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Treatment is most effective when started right away. Stroke symptoms may happen suddenly. Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:
Other less common symptoms of stroke may include:
A TIA can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke. But TIA symptoms are passing. They can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. Call for medical help right away if you think someone is having a TIA. It may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur. But not all TIAs are followed by a stroke.
FAST is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke. When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 911 fast. FAST stands for: F - Face drooping. One side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven. A - Arm weakness. One arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time, one arm may drift downward. S - Speech difficulty. You may see slurred speech or difficulty speaking. The person can't repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked. T - Time to call 911. If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Call even if the symptom goes away. Make note of the time the symptoms first appeared. How is a stroke diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will take a complete health history and do a physical exam. You will need tests for stroke such as brain imaging and measuring the blood flow in the brain. Tests may include:
The following heart tests may also be used to help diagnose heart problems that may have led to a stroke:
How is a stroke treated?Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on:
There is no cure for stroke once it has occurred. But advanced medical and surgical treatments are available. These can help reduce your risk for another stroke. Treatment is most effective when started right away. Emergency treatment after a stroke may include:
What are the complications of having a stroke?Recovery from stroke and the specific ability affected depends on the size and location of the stroke. A small stroke may cause problems such as weakness in your arm or leg. Larger strokes may cause parts of your body to not be able to move (be paralyzed). Larger strokes can also cause loss of speech or even death. What can I do to prevent a stroke?Know your risk for stroke. Many stroke risk factors can be changed, treated, or medically modified. Some things you can do to control your risk factors are listed below. Lifestyle changesA healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk for stroke. That includes the following:
MedicinesTake your medicines as instructed by your healthcare provider. The following medicines can help prevent stroke:
SurgerySeveral types of surgery may be done to help treat a stroke, or help to prevent one. These include:
Living with a strokeHow a stroke affects you depends on where the stroke occurs in your brain. It also depends on how much your brain is damaged. Many people who have a stroke are left with paralysis of one of their arms. Other problems can include having trouble with:
Some people may need long-term physical rehabilitation. They may not be able to live in their home without help. Support services are available to help with physical and emotional needs after a stroke. When should I call my healthcare provider?Strokes can happen again. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that seem like a stroke, even if they don’t last long. If you have repeated damage to your brain tissue, you may be at risk for life-long (permanent) disabilities. Stroke: Key points
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