Intracranial Hematoma – what should you know

An intracranial hematoma is a medical condition (extradural hemorrhage) that occurs when blood is collected inside the skull. A human brain receives blood supply from two major sets of arteries and several veins. After an injury or hemorrhagic stroke, blood can leak from these veins or arteries and put pressure on the brain.

Intracranial Hematoma Diagnosis, Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

It can lead to several medical problems such as coma or seizures. It is a serious medical condition and a patient with Intracranial Hematoma need rapid medical assistance from qualified health professional or doctors. Here are some tips on how you can identify intracranial hematoma, and manage or prevent it in advance.

How to recognize Intracranial Hematoma after an accident?

Early recognition of intracranial hematoma or stroke can prevent brain injury and permanent brain damage. The word F.A.S.T can help you identify intracranial hematoma symptoms in the early stage.

• F for Face – One-sided deformation of facial muscles.
• A for Arms – Inability to raise one hand
• S for Speech – Unusual slurry speech.
• T for Time – Time can be a valuable asset in this situation. Contact the nearest medical facility for immediate treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of this disease vary from patient to patient. In some patients, this disorder may take a year to develop after the accident and in some, it may develop in minutes. Other top symptoms of this disease include

• Vision problems
• Stiff neck
• Numbness in limbs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Balancing problem

Diagnosis of Intracranial Hematoma

After evaluating the health condition of the patient, the doctor might suggest different diagnostic procedures.

1. To evaluate the risk of intracranial hematoma, the doctor may check your blood pressure.
2. He can also suggest additional blood tests for hemophilia or diabetes .
3. The doctor also may suggest a CT scan to diagnose the condition of the blood clot in the brain.
4. To evaluate the condition of blood vessels rapture he also may suggest an MRI.

Types of intracranial hematoma

There can are three types of intracranial hematoma. The type of intracranial hematoma depends upon the position of the blood clot in the brain.

• An intracerebral hematoma occurs when a blood clot forms within brain tissue.
• A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood clot forms between the brain and its protective cover.
• An epidural hematoma occurs when a blood clot forms between the skull and the protective cover of the brain.

Causes of intracranial hematoma

Say, you haven’t been in an accident. This does not mean that you will not have an intracranial hematoma. There can be several reasons behind the intracranial hematoma. It may include

• Old age
• Blood thinner medicines
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Blood vessel weakness disorder
• Diabetes or liver disease
• Illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine
• Excessive drinking of alcohol

Treatment of intracranial hematoma

Depending upon the severity of intracranial hematoma and the health condition of the patient, the doctor may suggest different treatments for different patients. Top treatments suggested are

• Bed rest. For minor blood clots in the brain where the rupture in a blood vessel is small, doctors often suggest bed rest to the patient as a treatment for an intracranial hematoma.
• Doctors might prescribe medicines to get rid of extra fluid, lower swelling, and seizures. They can also prescribe medicine to improve the cognitive function of the patient.
• For medium-sized blood clots, doctors often put in a catheter. This thin tube drains extra fluid from the brain and prevents further damage to brain.
• For major blood vessel rupture, doctors often use surgery to stop the bleeding.

Management of intracranial hematoma

By following the doctor’s suggestions and making some lifestyle changes a patient can manage intracranial hematoma, and reduce the risk of future strokes. A patient should follow the following guidelines.

1. Regular health checkup. A patient with an intracranial hematoma should always visit health professionals for medical checkups.
2. Monitoring blood pressure. The patient should routinely monitor blood pressure and it should never go out of control.
3. Reduce alcohol intake. The patient should stop the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and other illegal drugs.
4. Manage stress. Reduction in mental stress reduces the risk of future stroke in the patient. Practice Yoga and other exercises.
5. Healthy diet. Maintain a healthy diet with vitamin-rich green vegetables. It helps the patient to maintain a healthy weight.