A brain haemorrhage is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment. It occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain breaks and causes bleeding. The bleeding can increase pressure inside the skull and damage brain tissue.
Brain haemorrhage treatment depends on the location and amount of bleeding, its cause, and the person’s overall health. Treatment may include medicines, blood products, interventional procedures or surgery. Early treatment can help limit brain damage and reduce the risk of serious complications.
A haemorrhage is heavy or uncontrolled bleeding. When bleeding occurs inside the brain or in the surrounding spaces, it is called a brain haemorrhage.
A brain haemorrhage is a type of haemorrhagic stroke. It can occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures. Blood then collects in or around the brain and can put pressure on nearby brain tissue.
Common types include:
The type and location of the bleeding help doctors determine which treatment is required.
A brain haemorrhage can have several causes. Common causes and risk factors include:
Symptoms can develop suddenly. They may vary depending on where the bleeding occurs and how much brain tissue is affected.
Common symptoms include:
A sudden severe headache, weakness, difficulty speaking, or loss of consciousness should always be treated as an emergency.
A suspected brain haemorrhage requires urgent medical attention. Do not wait for the symptoms to improve on their own.
While waiting for emergency medical help:
Do not attempt to treat a brain haemorrhage at home. Immediate hospital assessment is essential.
Doctors first assess the person’s symptoms, medical history and neurological function. Because a brain haemorrhage can progress quickly, brain imaging is usually performed urgently.
A CT scan of the brain is commonly used to identify bleeding and its location. An MRI may also be recommended in selected cases.
Doctors may also perform the following:
The diagnosis helps the medical team determine the safest and most appropriate treatment for the brain haemorrhage.
The main goals of treatment are to control bleeding, reduce pressure on the brain, treat the underlying cause and prevent further complications.
Medicines may be used to control blood pressure, reduce pressure inside the skull, manage seizures or treat other complications.
If the person is taking blood-thinning medicines, doctors may use specific treatments to reverse their effects when appropriate. The choice depends on the medicine involved and the type of bleeding.
Some patients may need blood or blood products if there has been significant blood loss or if a clotting problem is contributing to the bleeding.
Treatment may include red blood cells, plasma, platelets or specific clotting-factor replacement, depending on the patient’s condition.
Some brain haemorrhages are caused by a ruptured aneurysm or an abnormal blood vessel. In selected cases, minimally invasive procedures may be used to treat the affected blood vessel.
For example, endovascular coiling may be used to block a ruptured aneurysm from inside the blood vessel. Other procedures may be considered depending on the type and location of the abnormal vessel.
Surgery may be required when bleeding causes significant pressure on the brain, when a large collection of blood needs to be removed, or when the underlying blood vessel problem requires surgical treatment.
Depending on the condition, procedures may include removing the collected blood, repairing an aneurysm or treating an abnormal blood vessel.
Not every patient needs surgery. The decision depends on the location and size of the haemorrhage, the cause, the neurological condition and overall health.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if someone develops sudden:
A brain haemorrhage can become life-threatening within a short period. Prompt diagnosis and haemorrhagic stroke treatment can help prevent further brain injury.
Some causes of brain haemorrhage cannot be prevented. However, managing certain risk factors can lower the risk.
You can help protect your brain health by:
Do not stop prescribed blood-thinning medicines on your own. Your doctor can advise whether changes are needed.
At CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, brain haemorrhage care focuses on rapid diagnosis, timely treatment and continuous monitoring. Our specialists assess the type, location and severity of the bleeding before deciding on the most appropriate treatment approach.
Depending on the condition, treatment may involve medication, critical care, interventional procedures or neurosurgery. A multidisciplinary team works together to manage the bleeding and associated complications.
Early treatment is important in brain haemorrhage. If you notice sudden neurological symptoms, seek emergency medical care without delay.
Severe bleeding requires urgent medical care. Treatment may include controlling the bleeding, stabilising blood pressure and circulation, giving blood products, and treating the underlying cause.
Some minor internal bleeding may stop on its own, but internal bleeding can also become life-threatening. It should always be assessed by a medical professional.
Warning signs may include sudden severe pain, weakness, dizziness, confusion, fainting, rapid heartbeat, vomiting blood or blood in the stool, depending on where the bleeding occurs.
Surgery may be needed when bleeding is severe, continues despite other treatment, causes pressure on the brain or another organ, or requires repair of a damaged blood vessel.
Yes. Severe bleeding, particularly bleeding in or around the brain, can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
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