About this topic
An intracerebral hemorrhage is also known as ICH. It happens when a blood vessel breaks and leaks blood into brain tissue or other spaces in the brain. This can put pressure on the brain. The pressure on the brain can harm brain cells and cause brain tissue to swell. There are often no warning signs. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Be patient. Getting better will take time.
- You may need help with the activities of your daily living. These are things like taking a bath and getting dressed. You may also need help to cook, clean, and move about. You may need help with taking care of your money or business affairs. You may not be able to drive after having a stroke.
- You may need changes in your home. These would make it simpler for you to move around or do normal activities. This can include things such as ramps for a wheelchair or extra railings to hold as you walk.
- You may need physical therapy to gain your strength back.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- How to keep your bowel movements soft
- Wearing special stockings to avoid blood clots
- How to avoid having an ICH again
- When you can go back to work, school, or daily activities
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to rehab to help you relearn some skills, such as walking or talking. Rehab can also help you get back into daily actions at home and outside the home.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Staying fit and active will keep you healthy and help with blood flow and strength. Talk with your doctor about a workout plan that is right for you.
- Follow a diet plan that has lots of fruits and vegetables and less meat and dairy foods. Talk with a dietitian to help with a diet plan.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- If you smoke, stop. Talk with your doctor if you need help quitting.
- If you drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol), drink only 1 or 2 drinks a day.
- Get help if you abuse drugs or have a drug addiction.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent or treat seizures
- Lower blood pressure
- Treat low mood
What problems could happen?
- Your speech and memory may be affected.
- Your body or one side of your body may be paralyzed or weak. A part of your body may feel numb or have less sensation.
- You may have problems with balance and coordination.
- You may have bladder and bowel problems.
- Your swallowing and eating may be affected.
- You may have changes in your emotions, behavior, or judgment.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Have your blood pressure checked often.
- Do not use street drugs.
- Take care of any health problems you have that could cause ICH.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you: ‚
- Have problems taking your drugs
- Have sores or redness on your skin
- Have trouble moving your bowels or emptying your bladder
- Have home care problems that you need help with
- Keep having seizures or they do not get better when you take drugs for them
- Have personality changes like angry outbursts or thoughts of hurting yourself or others
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke.
- I can tell you what I will do if I keep having seizures or have personality changes.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cerebral_haemorrhage ‚
The Stroke Center ‚
http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/intracerebral-hemorrhage/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚