Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Stroke Central nervous system

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Hemorrhagic stroke

Alternative Names: Brain bleeding; Brain hemorrhage; Stroke - hemorrhagic Symptoms: Stroke symptoms are typically of sudden onset and may quickly become worse. The following is a list of possible problems: Weakness or inability to move a body part Numbness or loss of sensation Decreased or lost vision (may be partial) Speech difficulties Inability to recognize or identify familiar things Sudden headache Vertigo (sensation of the world spinning around) Dizziness Loss of coordination Swallowing difficulties Sleepy, stuporous, lethargic, comatose, or unconscious Signs and tests: Text Continues Below A neurologic exam is almost always abnormal. The patient may look drowsy and confused. An eye examination may show abnormal eye movements, and changes may be seen upon retinal examination (examination of the back of the eye with an instrument called ophthalmoscope). The patient may have abnormal reflexes. However, these findings are not specific to brain hemorrhage. The most important test to confirm the presence of a brain hemorrhage is a CT scan, which provides pictures of the brain. A CT scan should be obtained without delay. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can also be obtained later to better understand what caused the bleeding. A conventional angiography (x-ray of the arteries using dye) may be required to identify aneurysms or AVM. Other tests may include: CBC Bleeding time Prothrombin/partial thromboplastin time (PT/PTT) CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination (rarely needed)

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.