Precursors of brainstem hemorrhage

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on June 18, 2025
00:00
00:00

For patients with brainstem hemorrhage, there is often a lack of specific precursors, and most patients do not have obvious characteristic symptoms beforehand. Some patients may have underlying chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Prior to a brainstem hemorrhage, patients often exhibit mild headaches, dizziness, nausea, and significant increases in blood pressure. Certain triggers like fatigue, exhaustion, emotional stress, or vigorous activity can lead to a brainstem hemorrhage. Once a hemorrhage occurs, patients typically experience severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and even coughing or choking when drinking water. In more severe cases, patients may also show signs of drowsiness, stupor, or even coma.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
1min home-news-image

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.

doctor image
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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
52sec home-news-image

Causes of brainstem hemorrhage

There are many reasons that cause brainstem hemorrhage. Clinically, it is mostly seen in patients with underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Due to the lack of effective control and treatment of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids over a long period, severe arteriosclerotic changes and even arteriosclerotic plaques can develop. The blood vessels’ own regulatory functions gradually deteriorate. Under certain triggering factors, such as fatigue, exhaustion, and mental stress, blood pressure can transiently increase. When it exceeds the blood vessels' capacity to adjust, brainstem hemorrhage is likely to occur. Once brainstem hemorrhage occurs, the condition is often critical and requires immediate transportation of the patient to the nearest hospital for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
41sec home-news-image

Can brainstem hemorrhage be cured?

Whether brainstem hemorrhage can be cured must be determined based on clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and patient examination. Generally speaking, if the symptoms of brainstem hemorrhage are relatively mild, such as headache, dizziness, without the occurrence of limb weakness, hemiplegia, epilepsy, etc., it is generally curable in the later stages without significant residual effects. However, in actual life, some cases of brainstem hemorrhage can be severe, even causing disturbances in consciousness, coma; or leading to abnormal breathing and heart rate, causing death. Therefore, it must be judged based on the situation at the time.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
49sec home-news-image

What fruits to eat for brainstem hemorrhage

For patients experiencing brainstem hemorrhage, during the acute phase, if the patient shows significant swallowing dysfunction, it is not appropriate to eat fruits. Instead, you can wait until the patient's condition is stable. At that point, fruits can be juiced, and most of the pulp can be filtered out using a sieve. The fresh juice can be given to the patient to drink. However, it is important to note that if the patient has significant difficulty swallowing and coughs while drinking, this method is not suitable. Once the patient's condition stabilizes, it may be appropriate to gradually introduce some fresh fruits. Common fruits available in the market, such as apples, bananas, and oranges, are usually suitable. It's best to avoid or limit consumption of certain special fruits like durian or mango.