A haemorrhagic stroke is a medical condition that involves bleeding within the brain. It’s crucial for doctors to address the source of the bleeding as soon as possible to prevent serious health effects, including loss of life. This guide can help you identify a haemorrhagic stroke to ensure you or a loved one receives treatment for this medical emergency.
Haemorrhagic strokes often result from high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels inside the brain and cause them to rupture. Other medical conditions, such as brain tumours and aneurysms, can also contribute to a haemorrhagic stroke, which can happen in one of two ways:
In both cases, uncontrolled bleeding increases pressure in the brain and causes major damage to tissues. Haemorrhagic strokes should not be confused with ischemic strokes, which result from obstructed vessels that restrict the flow of blood.
All types of strokes can be identified using the F.A.S.T. protocol:
Haemorrhagic strokes can also cause other serious symptoms, including intense headaches, nausea, feeling faint, dizziness, and stiffness in the neck.
When it comes to emergency treatment of haemorrhagic stroke, doctors must stop the bleeding immediately. This can entail repairing ruptured blood vessels to stem the flow of blood within the brain. Additionally, doctors may need to relieve pressure in the brain to avoid more serious health outcomes.
Once emergency treatment has been administered, recovery is the next step. Some people require physical therapy to regain strength. In other cases, a person may need occupational therapy to re-learn basic tasks and chores. Speech therapy can also be beneficial after a stroke. While it may be possible to make a full recovery after a haemorrhagic stroke, some people must live with limited abilities.
Making healthy changes to your lifestyle isn’t guaranteed to prevent a stroke, but it can greatly reduce your risk. Here are a few things you can do:
Also, be sure to visit your doctor for routine checkups. These examinations can help determine your stroke risk and help you be proactive about prevention.