Symptoms and signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on September 27, 2024
00:00
00:00

The typical symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage include headache, vomiting, and sudden severe pain, accompanied by vomiting, pale complexion, and whole-body cold sweats. Additionally, there may be disturbances in consciousness and psychiatric symptoms. Most patients do not experience disturbances in consciousness, but may exhibit restlessness and agitation. Severe cases can show varying degrees of clouded consciousness, and even coma, with a few instances displaying seizures and psychiatric symptoms. Furthermore, signs of meningeal irritation are also present, particularly common and pronounced in young and middle-aged patients, characterized by neck stiffness, headaches, and vomiting.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
45sec home-news-image

Pre-symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Before a subarachnoid hemorrhage, patients generally do not exhibit obvious symptoms. However, if a patient suddenly experiences severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other discomforts, subarachnoid hemorrhage should be suspected. The patient should promptly seek attention and complete a cranial CT scan. If the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage is confirmed, measures should be taken to dehydrate the patient and reduce intracranial pressure. If the patient has a significant amount of intracranial bleeding, surgical treatment should be considered to remove intracranial hematomas and other proactive managements, while dynamically observing changes in the patient's consciousness and pupils.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Does subarachnoid hemorrhage have a genetic component?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage, this disease does not have a significant genetic tendency, so there is no need to worry excessively. The main cause of the bleeding is the rupture of an aneurysm, which is due to abnormal blood vessel development resulting in fusiform aneurysms that rupture and bleed under certain conditions. Additionally, there are other causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage, such as long-term smoking which can cause arterial disease, some arteriovenous malformations are also prone to rupture and bleed, and some traumatic injuries can also lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage; these are not hereditary. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rather dangerous condition, so it is essential to control risk factors, properly manage blood pressure, and absolutely avoid smoking. If severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting occur, it is crucial to be highly vigilant and seek medical attention at a hospital immediately.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

Subarachnoid hemorrhage clinical manifestations

Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage typically exhibit persistent, severe headaches accompanied by projectile vomiting. Patients often experience symptoms of clouded consciousness, irritability, and anxiety. The most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the rupture of cerebral aneurysms, with blood entering the subarachnoid space, stimulating the pia mater and arachnoid membrane, and inducing severe headaches. This also leads to a rapid increase in intracranial pressure, causing projectile vomiting. Additionally, symptoms often include clouded consciousness and restlessness. Treatment requires complete bed rest for four to six weeks, using hemostatic, analgesic, and sedative medications to allow the patient to rest quietly. (Use specific medications only under the guidance of a doctor, and do not self-medicate.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
55sec home-news-image

How is subarachnoid hemorrhage treated?

The treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage primarily aims to prevent rebleeding, vasospasm, hydrocephalus, and other complications, reducing mortality and disability rates. During the acute phase, keep the patient's head in a raised position, lying on their side, and provide dehydration, sedation, and pain relief; absolute bed rest; monitor blood pressure; and when bleeding is significant, undertake ventricular puncture for drainage. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage should generally be admitted to the ICU, monitoring vital signs and changes in neurological signs, ensuring airway patency, maintaining stable respiratory and circulatory functions, resting quietly, avoiding emotional agitation, ensuring smooth bowel movements, and for patients with increased intracranial pressure, appropriately restricting fluid intake.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
42sec home-news-image

Subarachnoid hemorrhage headache causes

Subarachnoid hemorrhage commonly presents with clinical symptoms such as headache, reflex vomiting, and even consciousness disorders, seizures, etc. The main reasons for headaches caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage are, firstly, increased intracranial pressure, and secondly, impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to excessive accumulation in the subarachnoid space causing headaches. Additionally, blood entering the subarachnoid space can stimulate the meninges and toxic substances can also cause headaches. Therefore, patients should go to the hospital for a complete cranial CT examination and consult with the Department of Neurology or Neurosurgery.