{"id":1642,"date":"2020-07-02T12:31:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-02T12:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.kayawell.com\/?p=1642"},"modified":"2020-07-10T06:01:36","modified_gmt":"2020-07-10T06:01:36","slug":"subdural-hematoma-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/subdural-hematoma-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention","title":{"rendered":"Subdural Hematoma- Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>What is subdural hematoma? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A subdural\nhematoma is a form of bleed inside your brain. More precisely, it is a form of\nbleeding that occurs within the skull but outside the actual brain tissue. The\nbrain has three membranes layers or coverings (called meninges) that lay\nbetween the bony skull and the actual brain tissue. The purpose of the meninges\nis to cover and protect the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have\na subdural hematoma, you have experienced a tear in a blood vessel, most\ncommonly a vein, and blood is leaking out of the torn vessel into the space\nbelow the dura mater membrane layer. This space is called the subdural space\nbecause it is below the dura. Bleeding into this space is called a subdural\nhemorrhage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many terms\nfor subdural hematoma include intracranial hematoma or subdural hemorrhage.\nMore broadly, it is also a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Acute\nsubdural hemorrhage typically occurs following serious trauma to the brain.\nLesions resulting in this disorder are usually severe enough to induce a\ntemporary loss of consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually, in\nthe minutes to hours after the head injury, the person recovers consciousness.\nThen, the person gradually loses consciousness again, this time from subdural\nbleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other\nsymptoms of the subdural hemorrhage include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Severe headache<\/li><li>Weakness on one side of the body<\/li><li>Seizures<\/li><li>Changes in vision or speech<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Chronic\nsubdural hemorrhages produce more subtle symptoms. These symptoms may persist\nfor more than a month before recognition of the diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These\nsymptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mild headache<\/li><li>Nausea or vomiting<\/li><li>Change in personality<\/li><li>Memory loss<\/li><li>Loss of balance or difficulty walking<\/li><li>Double vision<\/li><li>Weakness, numbness or tingling in arms or legs<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The symptoms\nof chronic subdural hemorrhage can also imitate other common conditions. For\nexample, they may resemble strokes and brain tumors. The gradual loss of memory\nand changes in personality may occasionally be mistaken for dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to seek medical attention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A\nlife-threatening intracranial hematoma can require emergency care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon a blow\nto the head seek urgent medical attention if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Lose consciousness<\/li><li>Have a persistent headache<\/li><li>Experience vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, unsteadiness<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the signs\nand symptoms after a head blow are not immediately apparent, watch for\nphysical, mental and emotional changes. For example, if someone seems fine\nafter a blow to the head and can talk but later becomes unconscious, seek\nimmediate medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, even\nif you feel fine, ask someone to keep an eye on you. Memory loss following a\nblow to your head can make you forget the blow. Someone you say might have a\ngreater chance of recognizing the warning signs and getting medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A serious\ninjury to the head is the most common cause of a subdural hematoma. Small head\ninjuries are a less common occurrence and more characteristic of older people.\nOften, as a consequence of another medical condition, subdural hematomas may\ndevelop spontaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Risk factors <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Risk factors\nwhich increase the chances for an individual to develop subdural hematoma\ninclude:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Blood thinners, such as warfarin or aspirin<\/li><li>Medical conditions that cause blood clotting issues<\/li><li>Long-term alcohol use or abuse<\/li><li>Repeated head injuries, for example by falling or sports<\/li><li>Very young or very old age<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Complications <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These\ncomplications may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Brain herniation that puts the brain under pressure and may cause\ncoma or death<\/li><li>Seizures<\/li><li>Permanent muscle weakness or numbness<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The\ncomplications range depends on the severity of your injury to the brain. Other\nhealth problems can affect chronic or acute subdural. People who take\nanticoagulants (blood thinners) are at higher risk. People over 65 years do\nhave an increased risk, especially for the chronic form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent\nor minimize head injury:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Wear a helmet and make sure your kids wear helmets. Wear an\nappropriate and properly fitted helmet when playing contact sports, bicycling,\nmotorcycling, skiing, horseback riding, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or\ndoing any activity that could result in head injury.<\/li><li>Buckle your seat belt and make sure your kids are buckled in. Do\nso while you are driving or riding a motor vehicle.<\/li><li>Protect young children. Always use properly fitted car seats, pad\ncountertops and edges of tables, block stairways, tether heavy furniture or\nappliances to the wall to prevent tipping, and keep children from climbing on\nunsafe or unsteady objects.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is subdural hematoma? A subdural hematoma is a form of bleed inside your brain. More precisely, it is a form of bleeding that occurs within the skull but outside the actual brain tissue. The brain has three membranes layers or coverings (called meninges) that lay between the bony skull and the actual brain tissue. 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