Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater covering the brain, often caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm. Symptoms include sudden, intense headaches, vomiting, seizures, and weakness. Immediate treatment is necessary, and surgery may be required to remove blood and close the bleeding site. Half of all cases are fatal, and survivors may suffer from cognitive or neurological impairments.
A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke characterized by bleeding in the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater, two membranes that cover the brain. The arachnoid membrane and the pia mater are the two innermost meninges, membranes that cover the structures of the central nervous system. The pia mater is delicate and adheres to the surface of the brain, while the arachnoid layer is made up of spider-web-like connective tissue and helps cushion the central nervous system. Subarachnoid hemorrhage can be due to a head injury or a ruptured aneurysm in the brain.
The most common symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage is a sudden, intense headache known as a thunder headache. Many patients experience no other symptoms. However, vomiting, delirium, neck stiffness, seizures, coma, and weakness on one side of the body may also accompany subarachnoid hemorrhage.
In severe cases, a herniated brain can occur, resulting in a dilated pupil and failure of the pupil to contract in response to light. Intraocular or subhyaloid hemorrhage, bleeding into the eye or its surrounding membrane, respectively, also occurs rarely. Subarachnoid hemorrhage also triggers the release of adrenaline and other hormones, resulting in increased blood pressure and increased heart rate. Cardiac arrhythmia, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, and even cardiac arrest may follow.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is often caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm, a weakened area in a brain artery that becomes enlarged. Other possible causes include other blood vessel disorders, head trauma, cocaine abuse, sickle cell disease, and blood clotting disorders or anticoagulant medications. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is always an emergency and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Half of all cases are fatal, and many who survive suffer from cognitive or neurological impairments.
Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage are stabilized as quickly as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, immediate surgery may be needed to remove blood and close the bleeding site. Other patients are stabilized for a longer period of time and undergo femoral angiography to discover the source of the bleeding. The aneurysm can be treated with clipping or wrapping. Cropping requires opening the skull and placing clips on the artery around the aneurysm, while coiling is done by passing a catheter through the arteries and placing coils of platinum from the aneurysm, causing a blood clot that destroys the aneurysm.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
