Is brainstem hemorrhage painful?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on July 03, 2025
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Brainstem hemorrhage is one of the most severe and dangerous diseases in neurology. If the amount of hemorrhage in the brainstem is very large, the patient may lose consciousness and quickly fall into a coma, or even suffer from respiratory failure, without any awareness and thus not experiencing obvious pain. However, if the amount of bleeding is small, it may not pose a life-threatening risk but could still cause paralysis of the limbs and impairments in speech function. The patient might be unable to eat orally, presenting significant difficulties in swallowing and coughing while drinking, necessitating the use of a feeding tube for administering food and water. Additionally, there may be dysfunction in urinary and bowel control. Therefore, patients with brainstem hemorrhage who are conscious tend to experience significant suffering. Some patients with very minor brainstem hemorrhages may only show mild hemiplegia and do not feel particularly distressed.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Can brainstem hemorrhage be operated on?

The brainstem is the center of human life, controlling vital functions such as breathing, circulation, heart rate, and blood pressure. Once bleeding occurs, patients often experience unstable vital signs, deep coma, and can die from brain function failure within a short period. Previously, it was believed that the brainstem was a no-go zone for surgery, and treatment for brainstem hemorrhage was primarily conservative medical therapy. However, with the continuous improvement of medical technology, neurosurgery departments in many top-tier hospitals have made significant achievements in minimally invasive or open surgeries for brainstem hemorrhages. Therefore, surgery for brainstem hemorrhage is not impossible and can be considered under specific circumstances.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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How long is the recovery period for brainstem hemorrhage?

The recovery period for brainstem hemorrhage is very long and must be tailored to the specific condition of the patient. Because the nerves in the brainstem are densely packed and very important, bleeding in this area, even just one milliliter, can be extremely fatal to the patient. Therefore, the recovery process at this time is very crucial. The golden period for recovery is within three months of the brainstem hemorrhage, during which the neural cells still have the potential to compensate for other functions better, so it is essential to seize this period, which is considered the golden recovery period. In some cases, if this period is delayed, the recovery time will be extended later on, and some may even need long-term bed rest, thus the recovery period is comprehensive; all of it is considered a recovery period.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Is brainstem hemorrhage dangerous?

The brainstem is the central hub of life in the human body, controlling vital functions such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, body temperature, and consciousness. Bleeding in this area is extremely dangerous and is a life-threatening condition. Clinically, it has a high mortality and disability rate. For hemorrhages larger than 5 mL, most patients will succumb to central respiratory and circulatory failure within 48 hours. Even if the bleeding is less than 5 mL, although aggressive resuscitation may save the patient's life, most will suffer from severe brain dysfunction such as hemiplegia, aphasia, or a vegetative state. Therefore, brainstem hemorrhage is very dangerous.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.)

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Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
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Causes of brainstem hemorrhage convulsions

Seizures may occur due to a brainstem hemorrhage for several reasons, First, significant edema following a brainstem hemorrhage, combined with the mass effect of the hemorrhage itself, can lead to substantial compression of the brainstem, potentially resulting in tonic seizures. Second, the irritation from the hemorrhage could trigger symptomatic epilepsy, with the patient possibly experiencing partial new epileptic seizures that evolve into generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Third, the brainstem hemorrhage might cause high fever, which could induce febrile convulsions, also leading to seizures. Fourth, the treatment of brainstem hemorrhage often involves the use of high doses of diuretics. If severe dehydration occurs, it can lead to a state of excessive dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and hyperosmolarity; high sodium levels might also trigger seizures.