How is brainstem hemorrhage treated?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on March 15, 2025
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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.

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Written by Huang Lei
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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How to rehabilitate through exercise after brainstem hemorrhage

Regarding the specific measures for rehabilitation exercises for brainstem hemorrhage, it is necessary to analyze specific problems based on the different conditions of the patients. Based on our past experience, several common symptoms of brainstem hemorrhage can be addressed with corresponding rehabilitation measures. The first one is swallowing disorder, which is very common in patients with brainstem hemorrhage. We can provide patients with electrical stimulation and ice stimulation, and teach them morning exercises such as cheek puffing, tongue stretching, and dry swallowing practices. The second common issue is articulation disorder, for which we can teach patients some speech training. Usually, we can prepare patients with rhythm, cadence, and deep breathing exercises for speech training. The third is the dysfunction of limb mobility. For specific activities, we need to conduct training, including some balance function training.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How to prevent brainstem hemorrhage?

To prevent brainstem hemorrhage, it is first recommended that in daily life, if there are underlying diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, it is advisable to keep the patient's blood pressure and blood sugar levels within a stable range. Monitor blood pressure in the morning and evening, and take antihypertensive medication on time. When high blood pressure is detected, you should promptly visit the department of cardiology at the local hospital and ask the doctor to help regulate blood pressure to ensure its stability. In addition, it is recommended to develop good lifestyle habits in daily life, such as regular eating and sleeping, avoiding overwork, exhaustion, mental stress, and staying up late, while maintaining adequate sleep and good lifestyle habits to help prevent brainstem hemorrhage.

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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 Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Can you survive with 10 milliliters of bleeding in the brainstem?

A brainstem hemorrhage of 10 milliliters is relatively significant; whether the patient can survive depends on specific circumstances. First, it must be determined if the hemorrhage has compressed important neural nuclei, causing apparent respiratory and circulatory dysfunction. If such dysfunction occurs, it could severely threaten the patient's life. Additionally, the patient's level of consciousness and the availability of timely and effective treatment, along with necessary life support, must be considered. For example, if respiratory and circulatory dysfunction arises, it might be appropriate to use vasopressors to maintain blood pressure and ventilators to assist breathing. If effective life support is available, it is often possible to survive the peak period of swelling and preserve life.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Can brainstem hemorrhage be cured?

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Although the brainstem is very small, it contains almost all vital neurological functions. Once hemorrhage occurs, it can cause severe neurological dysfunction, and even lead to the patient's death due to cessation of heartbeat and breathing in a short period. So, can brainstem hemorrhage be cured? It mainly depends on the location of the hemorrhage, the amount of bleeding, and the clinical symptoms. Patients with less bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the upper end of the brainstem, and milder clinical symptoms have a better chance of recovery. However, those with more extensive bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the lower end of the brainstem, and more severe clinical symptoms have a lesser likelihood of recovery.