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 are the causes?
Most often this problem is caused by high blood pressure that has not been treated. Many times, patients do not know they have high blood pressure. Other causes are: ‚
- Build up of abnormal blood vessels
- Family history of abnormal blood vessels
- Problems with blood clotting
- Protein deposits along the blood vessels
- Artery disease
- Head injury
- Brain tumor
- Infection
- Use of street drugs like cocaine, amphetamines
What can make this more likely to happen?
- High blood pressure
- Blood problems like leukemia, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and low levels of platelets
- Brain tumor
- Liver disease
- Taking aspirin or blood thinners like warfarin
- Smoking or drinking too much beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol)
What will the results be?
Mental and physical problems are common. Results will be based on the size of the bleed and how much swelling there is. Your results are also based on how much blood has leaked and the amount of damage to your brain. ‚
What are the main signs?
Signs may depend on where the bleed happened and how much tissue was affected. Some signs are: ‚
- Headache
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Change in eye pupils or unequal size of pupils
- Seizures
- Trouble moving parts of the body or one side of the body does not move
- Feeling tired, weak, or have no energy
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Less alert or passing out
- Change in seeing, hearing, tasting, swallowing, talking, or smelling
- Loss of feeling on one side of your body
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- CT or MRI scan
- Kidney and liver tests
- Neurological tests to test how alert you are, check eyesight
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment will depend on what caused this problem, where the bleeding is, and how much bleeding there is. Steps will be taken to stop the bleeding and ease the pressure on the brain. ‚
Your blood pressure will be watched and you may need help breathing. Blood and fluids may be given by I.V. to replace fluids you may have lost. ‚
The doctor will: ‚
- Make sure your lungs are working right
- Check your blood pressure and work to keep it in a normal range
- Check and treat high pressure in your brain
- Make sure your blood sugar is in a safe range
You may need physical therapy if damage to the brain caused problems with how you move. ‚
Surgery may be needed to avoid more harm to the brain. Surgery may be done to: ‚
- Put in a tube to drain extra blood and fluid from the brain
- Fix the blood vessels
- Take out a tumor if one is found
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
- Treat high 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
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. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚