In the human body, there is a protrusion that extends from the base of the cerebrum to the coccyx or the back of the body or to the place at the back. This protrusion is called the brainstem and has various functions.
What is bleeding in the brainstem?
The brainstem, which facilitates communication between the cerebellum and the spinal cord and moves from the cerebrum region towards the back of the body, consists of 3 parts. These parts, which are the medulla oblongata or bulb, pons and midbrain, can be damaged for various reasons.
Brainstem hemorrhage is a serious and life-threatening condition. A hemorrhage in the brainstem, which plays an important role in the transmission of nerve signals, can have very serious consequences and the patient may die before intervention is possible.
What causes bleeding in the brain stem?
Brainstem hemorrhages may occur due to various triggers and reasons. Some of the main reasons are:
- Trauma: Such as head injuries.
- Bleeding disorders: Hemophilia and similar
- Aneurysm: Weaknesses in the brain vessels cause bleeding when they rupture.
- Hypertension
- Anticoagulant drugs: Since they thin the blood, they may increase the risk of bleeding.
What happens if there is bleeding in the brain stem?
Brainstem hemorrhage may occur due to any reason. Brain stem hemorrhage, which manifests itself with some symptoms, is a condition that requires immediate intervention. The main symptoms are:
- sudden headache
- loss of consciousness
- breathing problems
- vision loss
- double vision
- Weakness in muscles
- Paralysis
If a brainstem hemorrhage occurs, there are some treatment methods that can be applied to the patient. However, a diagnosis must be made first. The methods used to make a definitive diagnosis, depending on the severity, location and cause of bleeding, are as follows:
- CT: Computed tomography
- Angiography: Used to detect problems in the brain vessels.
- MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging