Subarachnoid haemorrhage
If you have a subarachnoid haemorrhage, there's also a risk of developing further problems.
Some of the main complications are described below.
A potentially serious early complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage is the Aneurysm, abdominal aortic bursting again after it's sealed itself. This is known as rebleeding.
The risk of rebleeding is highest in the few days after the first haemorrhage, and carries a high risk of permanent disability or death. Because of this, aneurysm repair is needed as soon as possible.
For more information about surgical treatment, read about treating subarachnoid haemorrhages .
Delayed cerebral ischaemia, or vasospasm, is another serious and common complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This is when the supply of blood to the brain becomes dangerously low, disrupting the normal functions of the brain and causing brain damage. It's most common a few days after the first haemorrhage.
The cause is uncertain, but vasospasm of the arteries inside the brain may be a factor. Vasospasm is when a blood vessel goes into a spasm, causing the vessel to narrow.
Common symptoms are increasing drowsiness, which can lead to a coma, with or without other stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness down one side of the body.
There are many treatments that can be used to prevent and treat delayed cerebral iscahemia, including a medication called nimodipine. See treating subarachnoid haemorrhages for more information about nimodipine.
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid on the brain, which increases pressure and can cause brain damage.
This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
Hydrocephalus is common after subarachnoid haemorrhage, as the damage caused by ahaemorrhage can disrupt the production and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This can lead to increased amounts of fluid around the brain.
CSF is aclear colourless fluid that supports and surrounds the brain and spinal cord.A constant supply of new CSF is produced inside the brain, while the old fluid is drained away into blood vessels.
Hydrocephalus may be treated with a lumbar puncture or a temporary tube that's surgically implanted into the brain to drain away the excess fluid.
There are a number of long-term complications that can affect people aftera subarachnoid haemorrhage. These are outlined below.
Around 1 in 20 people who have a subarachnoid haemorrhage develop epilepsy .
This is a condition where the normal working of the brain is interrupted, causing a person to have repeated fits or seizures.
There are different types of seizure, and symptoms vary. You may lose consciousness, have muscle contractions (your arms and legs twitch and jerk) or your body may shake or become stiff. Seizures usually last between a few seconds and several minutes, before brain activity returns to normal.
In most cases of epilepsy following a subarachnoid haemorrhage, the first seizure occurs in the year after the haemorrhage.
Epilepsy can be treated using anti-epileptic medicines, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine. A neurologist will help decide which treatment you need and how long you need to take it for.
Cognitive dysfunction is when a person experiences difficulties with one or more brain functions, such as memory.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage, affecting most people to some degree.
Cognitive dysfunction can take a number of forms, such as:
There are a number of self-care techniques you can use to compensate for any dysfunction. For example,breaking tasks down into smaller steps and using memory aids (such as notes or a diary) can help.
An occupational therapist can also help make day-to-day activities easier, while a speech and language therapist can help with communication skills. The doctor in charge of your care can tell you how to access these types of services.
Most cognitive functions improve with time, but problems with memory can be persistent.
Emotional problems are another common, long-term complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
These problems can take a number of forms, such as:
These mood disorders can be treated using a combination of:
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is an uncommon type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain. It is a medical emergency and a very serious condition that can be fatal.
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is most often caused by a brain aneurysm. Occasionally, this bulge can burst (rupture), causing bleeding around the brain. Around eight out of every 10 subarachnoid haemorrhages happen in this way.
In some cases, a subarachnoid haemorrhage isn't picked up by a CT scan. If a CT scan is negative, but your symptoms strongly suggest you've had a haemorrhage, a test called a lumbar puncture will usually be carried out.
If you're diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, or a diagnosis is strongly suspected, you'll usually be transferred to a specialist neurosciences unit. In more severe cases, you may be transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) .
If you have a subarachnoid haemorrhage, there is also a risk of developing further problems. Delayed cerebral ischaemia, or vasospasm, is another serious and common complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
The amount of time it will take you to recover from a subarachnoid haemorrhage will depend on the severity of the haemorrhage. Recovery can be a frustrating process. You may make a lot of progress and then suffer setbacks you will have good days and bad days.
Heather had a brain haemorrhage in 2005, which led to a personality change.