Brain Haemorrhage Signs and Symptoms
A bleed in the brain, otherwise known as a haemorrhage is a serious medical emergency, the consequences of which can be catastrophic. A brain haemorrhage can have a number of causes, including but not limited to an impact to the head or the bursting of an aneurysm, which is a bulge in a blood vessel, caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall.
The main symptoms of a brain haemorrhage include:
- A Sudden Agonising Headache – Often described as being similar to a sudden hit on the head, or a feeling of an explosion in the brain resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before;
- A Stiff Neck;
- Nausea and Vomiting;
- Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia);
- Blurred or Double Vision;
- Stroke-like Symptoms – such as slurred speech and weakness on one side of the body;
- Loss of Consciousness or Convulsions (uncontrollable shaking);
If you experience these symptoms you should call 999 and request an ambulance. However, if you attend your GP you should be referred to hospital immediately.
If a brain haemorrhage is suspected, a CT scan should be performed to check for signs of bleeding around the brain and if the diagnosis is confirmed or strongly suspected, the patient should be transferred to a specialist neurosciences unit for further treatment.
Medication will usually be given to help prevent short-term complications and it is likely that surgical intervention will be required to repair the source of the bleeding and prevent further bleeds from occurring.
How well a patient recovers from a brain haemorrhage depends on the size and location of the bleed and the amount of swelling. Some patients recover completely, however possible complications include:
- Further Haemorrhages;
- Loss of Brain Function;
- Loss of or Damage to Executive Function - Problems with Memory, Planning and Concentration;
- Significant Personality Changes;
- Changes in Mood, Such as the Development of Depression;
- Epilepsy;
- Stroke;
- Death
Prompt treatment is essential to minimise the risk of significant damage and any delays or failures in identification or treatment of the haemorrhage can have lasting consequences.
Significant and lasting damage can occur quickly even with urgent medical attention and any delay in diagnosis or treatment can only cause to make these effects more likely and potentially more damaging. Failure to treat an initial bleed can ultimately result in further bleeds increasing the likelihood and severity of brain damage. If you or a loved one have suffered from complications arising from a failure to correctly diagnose or a delay in treatment of a brain haemorrhage then you may have a claim.
At Wolferstans we have recovered damages for clients for whom delays in diagnosis of brain haemorrhage have lead to further bleeds, significant brain damage, altered personality and damage to executive function. We have also been able to recover damages for relatives who have lost a loved one due to a failure to diagnose this condition. If you, a family member or a loved one has suffered from any complications arising from a failure to treat or delay in diagnosis of a brain haemorrhage and you would like to have a free discussion about a potential claim without any obligation, please contact Jodie O’Connor on 01752 292360 or by email to jo’connor@wolferstans.com.
Brain injuries can very often have a devastating and life-long effect. This week Wolferstans are supporting Action for Brain Injury Week #ABIweek. At Wolferstans we will be taking part in various activities in support including the Teddy Toddle 2017 at Margaret McMillan’s Day Nursery and Hats for Headway Day which takes place during Action for Brain Injury Week. This is a simple, fun, and easy way to raise money for brain injury survivors around the UK. All you have to do to get involved is wear a wacky hat, donate £1 to Headway and post a picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HatsForHeadway. You can follow Wolfie’s adventures @MedNeg_Wolfies.