Dietary Precautions for Brainstem Hemorrhage

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on February 10, 2025
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For patients with brainstem hemorrhage, attention should be given to their diet. During the acute phase, it is advisable to choose a liquid diet, as most patients with brainstem hemorrhage often have severe swallowing dysfunction. Failing to choose a liquid diet can lead to aspiration, which in turn causes aspiration pneumonia. Furthermore, patients should avoid certain foods for a short period, particularly greasy or spicy foods, as most patients experience significant reductions in digestive function during the acute phase. If dietary intake is not carefully managed, patients often experience significant abdominal pain and diarrhea. Once the patient's condition stabilizes, it is appropriate to include fresh vegetables and fruits in their diet.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is it normal to have a high fever with brainstem hemorrhage?

Patients with brainstem hemorrhage who develop a high fever may have several possible causes. Firstly, it might be due to absorption heat, but in such cases, the body temperature generally does not exceed 38.5 degrees Celsius. If there is recurrent fever, accompanied by coughing, expectoration, yellow and sticky sputum that is difficult to expel, it is mostly considered likely to be a pulmonary infection, in which case the body temperature generally exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, and high fever occurs. Additionally, it is important to note that once fever occurs, antipyretic medications should be administered to the patient to help lower the body temperature. Physical methods such as using warm water or rubbing alcohol for baths can also be used to reduce the temperature.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Is vomiting severe in brainstem hemorrhage?

Vomiting after brainstem hemorrhage is definitely a serious matter because if the vomiting is caused by a brain-related issue, it is due to increased intracranial pressure. This type of vomiting is characterized as projectile vomiting, which is one of the three major signs of increased intracranial pressure. If the brainstem hemorrhage is extensive, it may cause local stimulation leading to cerebral vascular spasm, or issues such as obstructed brain circulation resulting in increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus. This increase in intracranial pressure, especially if prolonged, can lead to brain herniation, which is particularly deadly if it compresses the brainstem. Therefore, this is a very urgent and serious condition that requires immediate attention. Of course, if the vomiting is solely due to other reasons such as gastric retention or improper feeding, that would be a different matter. Projectile vomiting caused by increased intracranial pressure is highly severe.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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The chances of regaining consciousness after brainstem hemorrhage

The probability of awakening from brainstem hemorrhage is generally only about 30%-45%, which is relatively low. This is because the brainstem is the most important center for circulation and respiration in the human body, as well as the awakening center. Awakening can be divided into two stages: the first stage is being able to eat, drink, and defecate independently; the second stage is being able to communicate normally with others. However, patients with brainstem hemorrhage, due to severe damage, may not even reach the first stage, meaning they may not even survive, and reaching the second stage is even more difficult. Therefore, it is essential to clearly understand the specific circumstances at the time, as awakening is generally a very unlikely event.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Where to massage for brainstem hemorrhage

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very serious condition. Once brainstem hemorrhage occurs, it can affect many vital centers, completely depending on the amount of bleeding. Even a few milliliters of bleeding in the brainstem can lead to very serious consequences, including the sudden cessation of breathing and heartbeat. Therefore, at this time, giving massages to someone with a brainstem hemorrhage is of little value, especially during the acute phase, as it is not suitable to engage them in physical activities. However, once the bleeding has stabilized and is not extensive, and if the person still has breathing and heartbeat functions, at this point, some passive limb movements can be performed. Turning the patient over can be beneficial for limb function, prevent muscle atrophy, maintain limb function, and also help prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How long does one generally remain unconscious with brainstem hemorrhage?

The duration of coma following brainstem hemorrhage is uncertain. It mainly depends on two factors: The first factor is the amount of bleeding. For brainstem hemorrhages of less than three milliliters, the level of coma is relatively shallow, and some patients may not experience any coma at all, with a high chance of successful resuscitation. For hemorrhages greater than three milliliters, as the amount of bleeding increases, the depth of the patient's coma also deepens, potentially leading to death shortly after the onset of the condition, or the patient might remain comatose for a prolonged period before eventually succumbing. The second factor is whether timely and effective treatment was administered after the brainstem hemorrhage, including medication, necessary surgical interventions, active prevention of complications, and the stabilization of the condition, as well as treatments aimed at promoting awakening, among others.