Brain bleed, also known as an intracranial hemorrhage, occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and leaks blood into or around the brain. This can happen for several reasons, such as a ruptured aneurysm, stroke or traumatic brain injury, and can quickly become life-threatening.
All brain bleeds are considered medical emergencies. If you or someone near you shows signs of a brain bleed, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
What is a brain bleed?
A brain bleed refers to any bleeding within the skull. Depending on where the bleeding occurs, it may be classified as:
- Intracerebral hemorrhage: bleeding inside the brain tissue
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: bleeding between the brain and the thin tissues covering it
- Subdural or epidural hemorrhage: bleeding between the brain and skull layers, often due to head injury
These conditions interrupt normal brain function, putting pressure on the brain and depriving it of oxygen. Without immediate treatment, brain bleeds can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
What are the symptoms of a brain bleed?
With separate areas of the brain controlling different abilities like movement, speech, and memory the symptoms of brain bleeds can vary depending on where in the brain the hemorrhaging occurred. Symptoms may also differ depending on whether the hemorrhage occurred within the brain tissue or between the brain tissue and the skull.
Broadly speaking, people suffering from brain bleeds can experience:
- Stroke: Including weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Vision Loss: Change in vision or blindness in one eye
- Headache: Sudden or severe headaches are a common symptom of a brain bleed.
- Seizure: Caused by electrical bursts in the brain often identified by jerking movements
- Loss of Consciousness: Fainting or suddenly falling asleep
How are brain bleeds diagnosed?
A neurologist or emergency physician will use imaging tests to diagnose a brain bleed and determine its cause, size and location.
Common diagnostic tests include:
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): provides a 3D image of the brain to quickly detect bleeding.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): captures detailed images of brain tissues and can reveal smaller bleeds or tissue damage.
- MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram): focuses on blood vessels to detect aneurysms, clots or weakened artery walls.
How are brain bleeds treated?
The treatment for a brain bleed depends on the location, cause and severity of bleeding. Mild cases may only require monitoring and medication, while severe cases often require surgery.
Non-surgical treatments may include:
- Blood pressure control
- Anti-seizure medication
- Monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU)
Surgical treatments may include:
- Surgical drainage: drilling a small hole in the skull to remove pooled blood and relieve pressure.
- Craniotomy: temporarily removing a piece of the skull to access and remove a blood clot or repair damaged vessels.
After treatment, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to help patients regain motor skills, speech or coordination.
Why Choose NGHS
As a Primary Stroke Center, Northeast Georgia Health System provides comprehensive, advanced care for patients experiencing brain bleeds and other neurological emergencies. Our team includes board-certified neurologists, neurosurgeons and neurointerventional surgeons who work together to deliver expert treatment in state-of-the-art facilities.
At NGHS patients have access to specialized neuroscience operating rooms, dedicated stroke and neurosurgery inpatient units and a fully equipped neurophysiology lab for precise diagnosis and treatment. When seconds matter, you can rely on NGHS for fast, coordinated care that saves lives and supports recovery.