• Question: What happens when you have a bleed in the brain?

    Asked by jamesrwb to Adam, Joanna, Louise S, Louise W, Marcus on 12 Nov 2012.
    • Photo: Adam Paige

      Adam Paige answered on 12 Nov 2012:


      Blood carries the oxygen all our cells need, as well as the nutrients and glucose that the cells use as fuel. So if a blood vessel going to part of the brain were to break, then the blood could leak out and that part of the brain will not get the oxygen and fuel it needs. If the brain cells in that area lack oxygen for too long then those cells would die.

      The second thing that might happen is that blood escaping from the blood vessel into the brain would start to collect inside the head. If a lot of blood escaped into the brain it would start to press on the brain cells and squash them. This can also damage the brain cells.

      The most important thing in patients where this happens is to get treatment as soon as possible so that the brain cells do not get damaged.

    • Photo: Louise Walkin

      Louise Walkin answered on 18 Nov 2012:


      Yes like Adam said, there are two real issues. Pressure on the brain could cause some serious damage which could damage the cells and prevent them from working properly. If blood was cut off to an area of the brain this could result in a stroke, and then that area of the brain stops working. If blood flow is restored using special drugs then the person can recover. However, the symptoms of a stroke can stay permament if the restoration of blood takes too long and that part of the brain effectively dies and cannot be repaired. This is why it is very important to spot the signs of a stroke quickly and get the person to a hospital so that they can receive treatment. This way the blood flow can be restored and the person can usually return to normal health.

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