Is brainstem hemorrhage prone to recurrence?

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

Updated on November 29, 2024

00:00

00:00

Bleeding in the brainstem area, if not well controlled and treated, is very prone to recurrence. In most cases, considering that patients have underlying diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and do not control their blood pressure and blood sugar well, resulting in prolonged high levels of blood pressure and blood sugar, such conditions can easily lead to the recurrence of brainstem hemorrhage. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor blood pressure in the morning and evening, take antihypertensive medications on time, and keep the patient's blood pressure within a relatively stable range. Additionally, it is suggested to follow a light diet, low in salt and fat, and to regularly revisit the local hospital for a thorough monitoring of the patient’s vital signs.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Gao Yi Shen

Neurosurgery

56sec

home-news-image

Symptoms of brainstem hemorrhage

The symptoms of brainstem hemorrhage can vary from mild to severe, depending on the specific presentation of the patient. For instance, in milder cases, symptoms may include simple headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting without other clinical symptoms, which can often be easily distinguished from cervical spondylosis. Therefore, timely clinical examinations are necessary to confirm these conditions, which are generally mild and usually do not threaten life. However, symptoms might gradually worsen, manifesting as numbness in the limbs and speech impairments, among others. Some individuals may experience seizures, characterized by convulsions of the limbs, frothing at the mouth, etc. If the hemorrhage becomes more severe, it can compress more brainstem neurons, leading to coma, lethargy, and potentially severe outcomes like dilated pupils, and sudden cessation of breathing and circulation.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 13sec

home-news-image

How is brainstem hemorrhage treated?

Brainstem hemorrhage is extremely dangerous and must be treated as soon as possible. The treatment plan mainly includes: the patient must rest in bed, avoid emotional stimulation, ensure smooth bowel movements, and must strengthen turning over and patting the back to prevent serious complications such as bedsores and pulmonary infections. In terms of medication, it mainly involves providing drugs that protect brain cells and nourish brain nerves. Additionally, because patients with brainstem hemorrhage have high intracranial pressure, it is necessary to administer dehydrating drugs to reduce intracranial pressure. Moreover, once the patient's vital signs stabilize, treatments such as acupuncture and rehabilitation training are needed to promote the recovery of neural functions. If the patient experiences respiratory failure, it is necessary to promptly use a ventilator for treatment. Furthermore, patients with brainstem hemorrhage who are bedridden for a long period can develop complications such as pulmonary infections and urinary system infections. If these complications occur, timely use of antibiotics is necessary to control the complications.

home-news-image

Written by Gao Yi Shen

Neurosurgery

46sec

home-news-image

Symptoms and signs of brainstem hemorrhage

The symptoms and signs of brainstem hemorrhage must be judged based on the situation. There are many nerve fibers in the brainstem, and bleeding in any area could lead to different clinical manifestations. The most common general symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and numbness and weakness in the limbs, and even conditions such as drowsiness, stupor, and even coma may occur. If more severe, it could cause abnormal rhythms in heart and respiratory functions, and some special symptoms might appear. For example, hemorrhage in the midbrain might cause bilateral pupil constriction, especially pinpoint constriction; if the hemorrhage occurs in the medulla, it could cause respiratory and circulatory arrest early on.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

41sec

home-news-image

Rehabilitation of sequelae of brainstem hemorrhage

For patients with brainstem hemorrhage, there may be certain sequelae, such as obvious motor dysfunction of the limbs, like hemiplegia on one side. Additionally, some patients may also lose speech functions, manifested as motor aphasia or mixed aphasia. Most patients are likely to experience a decline in memory and have difficulty swallowing, often accompanied by coughing when drinking water. For these patients, post-recovery rehabilitation treatment becomes particularly crucial. During the recovery phase, effective rehabilitation exercises should be provided for the sequelae, such as rehabilitation exercises for motor functions of the affected limbs and speech function exercises.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

54sec

home-news-image

How to administer first aid for brainstem hemorrhage

For patients with brainstem hemorrhage, once signs of brainstem hemorrhage are detected, the patient should be sent to the local hospital immediately for an emergency head CT scan to help determine the location and severity of the hemorrhage. Due to its special location, brainstem hemorrhage is often difficult to treat surgically in most cases. Once brainstem hemorrhage occurs, the patient should first be transferred to the intensive care unit for close monitoring of vital signs. At the same time, administer medications to stop bleeding, enhance brain function, nourish nerves, promote dehydration, and reduce intracranial pressure, while carefully observing changes in the patient's condition. During treatment, strictly prevent and treat various comorbidities or complications. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)