Subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding that occurs when blood accumulates between the brain’s dura mater and arachnoid mater layers.
Subdural hematoma can occur as a result of a head injury, and the subsequent high pressure on the brain.
Don’t ignore prolonged headache, because the symptoms of subdural hematoma can include severe and prolonged headache, confusion, and dizziness. In severe cases, the symptoms may include loss of consciousness and neurological deficits.
Once diagnosed, subdural hematoma needs immediate medical attention and typically an immediate surgery, depending on the severity, to remove the blood accumulation and relieve pressure on the brain.
In this article, we will see in detail about the symptoms, causes and treatments of subdural hematoma:
Symptoms of Subdural Hematoma
Persistent Headache: Persistent severe headache is the primary symptom of subdural hematoma. It becomes unbearable over time and doesn’t respond to pain killers. Never ignore persistent headaches, particularly if you had a head injury earlier.
Memory Problem and Confusion: When an individual suffers subdural hematoma, he/she may experience memory problems, confusion, distraction or difficulty concentrating, and troubles of understanding conversation as well as disorientation.
Impairment of Speech: Patients may experience difficulties in speaking clearly and coherently due to excess pressure on the brain caused by hematoma. They may have trouble forming sentences, stuttering, difficulty finding words, or even experience difficulty in consumption of foods.
Nausea and vomiting: Additional pressure on the brain caused by hematoma can result in nausea and vomiting. These would persist in spite of appropriate medications.
Numbness and Weakness: In certain cases, hematoma can lead to numbness in one side of the body, or one leg or hand, sometimes accompanied by impaired mobility or difficulty in controlling muscles.
Seizures: Seizures can be defined as sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances that occur in the brain, which can manifest as loss of consciousness, abnormal movements, and behavioural changes.
Loss of consciousness: When subdural hematoma becomes severe, it can cause loss of consciousness or even prolonged coma. This condition is a medical emergency that typically requires immediate attention, often including surgery.
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Causes of Subdural Hematoma
Head trauma: A traumatic head injury is the primary cause of subdural hematoma. Injuries can damage blood vessels, causing bleeding between the brain and its surrounding tissues.
Medications: Hemophilia or anticoagulant medication use elevates the risk of subdural hematomas. In such cases, even a mild head injury can lead to significant bleeding.
Aneurysms: Aneurysms refer to weakened spots of blood vessels that may induce bleeding in the brain, resulting in subdural hematoma.
Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol use leads to vitamin deficiencies, dysfunction of organs, and weakening blood vessels. This may elevate the risk of subdural hematomas. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to accidents that cause head injuries.
Old Age: Lastly, age factor can be a reason for subdural hematomas. The brain tissues shrink and become more fragile in old people, increasing susceptibility to subdural hematomas.
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Treatments for Subdural Hematoma
Surgery: In severe cases of hematomas, an instant surgical intervention (a craniotomy) becomes necessary to remove the blood accumulation and relieve pressure on the brain.
Medications: Apart from surgery, patients will require certain medications after surgery. Anti-seizure medications and corticosteroids help control seizures and inflammation in the brain respectively.
Observation: If the case is not severe and not manifesting significant symptoms, close observation by a healthcare professional is advisable. The healthcare professional has to monitor and ensure frequently that the condition doesn’t worsen. In case the hematoma is getting bigger, the healthcare professional will guide what to do next.
Rehabilitation Therapy: Rehabilitation therapy helps patients to restore lost functions. The patients who have undergone a surgery for subdural hematoma may be forced to address cognitive and communication deficits, or even immobility. In such cases, physical therapy and speech therapy become necessary.
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Preventive Measures
Protect Your Head: Protect your head from the risk of injuries. While bike riding, or engaging in activities such as sports and construction works, you are at the risk of head injuries. Not only this, but you have to protect your head at home too by implementing fall prevention measures. This includes using handrails on stairs, installing grab bars in bathrooms, and removing tripping hazards in the home. These protective gears and preventive measures will help escape from the risk of subdural hematomas.
Monitor Medications: Patients with underlying medical conditions and taking blood-thinning medications should be aware of the risks of bleeding complications. Such patients should be under the regular monitoring of a healthcare professional.
Manage Underlying Conditions: Patients with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, and heart related issues need to manage and keep these disorders under control to reduce the risk of being affected by subdural hematomas. Regular health checkups and proper treatment measures are necessary.
Final Words
Subdural hematoma is a serious health issue and the symptoms associated with subdural hematomas should never be ignored, as it can lead a patient to the unconscious stage or even coma.
Appropriate protective and preventive strategies, an understanding about the the symptoms, and regular checkups may help you to prevent this risk.