Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious medical condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, which is the area between the brain and the skull. This type of stroke often results from the rupture of an artery, commonly due to a saccular aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Symptoms typically include an intense, sudden headache, often described as the worst headache ever experienced, along with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and possible loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as untreated SAH can lead to severe brain damage or death.
Diagnosis often involves imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs, and may include lumbar punctures to check for blood in the cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient, monitoring blood pressure, and addressing any vascular anomalies surgically if necessary. Risk factors for SAH include high blood pressure, connective tissue disorders, and family history of certain genetic conditions. While there is no definitive way to prevent SAH, individuals with known risk factors can seek testing and monitoring to mitigate potential complications.
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Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke that takes place when an artery bursts in the area between the brain and the skull. Symptoms of a subarachnoid hemorrhage include a sudden and violent headache, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, and unconsciousness. The condition requires immediate medical attention. If not treated quickly, brain damage or death can occur.
Overview
If a person experiences a headache with an intensity never before experienced—to the degree that one’s head feels about to burst—he or she may be suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. When the artery in the subarachnoid space—an area of the brain close to the surface of the skull—bursts, it will bleed into the space. The blood will mix with cerebrospinal fluid that usually acts as a buffer between the spinal cord and the brain. The mixture will cause pressure to build in the brain, which can lead to brain damage. In most cases, the hemorrhage is caused by a bulge in the wall of the artery. The bulge is referred to as a saccular aneurysm. Another reason why a subarachnoid hemorrhage forms is that an artery will expel blood due the constriction of multiple blood vessels. This condition is referred to as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The presence of an AVM usually begins at birth and may not become a problem until somewhere between the ages of ten and thirty. Subarachnoid hemorrhages can also be caused by blood disorders or the use of blood thinners. Those at risk of developing a subarachnoid hemorrhage include individuals suffering from connective tissue disorders like fibromuscular dysplasia and high blood pressure and those who have a family history of polycystic disease.
Apart from the onset of a severe, unrelenting headache, other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and pains, dizziness, confusion, sensitivity to light, and a stiff neck. If an individual suspects a subarachnoid hemorrhage, he or she should receive medical treatment quickly to reduce the damage. The first stage of treatment will be a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Medical professionals will take the images of the brain to assess the severity of the hemorrhage, either by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan. Doctors may also perform a lumbar puncture to determine the presence of blood in the spinal fluid, a brain or MRI angiography to detect the presence of an AVM, and an EKG to monitor the heart muscle activity, which may be affected by the subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Once the diagnosis is made, treatment begins immediately. Blood pressure is monitored to make sure the pressure is not too high to cause another artery rupture. The patient will be hooked up to a breathing machine, because swelling on the brain often makes respiration difficult. Calcium channel blocker medication will be administered to prevent spasms of the artery that has ruptured. If an aneurysm has occurred during the subarachnoid hemorrhage, it may need to be addressed via surgery.
There is no way to prevent a subarachnoid hemorrhage. If someone has a family history of the condition, he or she can be tested to determine if he or she is at high risk for developing it.
Bibliography
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