Does it take five years to recover from brainstem hemorrhage?

Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on March 21, 2025
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The recovery period after a brainstem hemorrhage generally refers to the acute stage immediately following the bleeding, which is also the period at risk for rebleeding. This high-risk period typically lasts one to two days. Afterwards, there is a phase of brainstem edema, lasting about 14 days, generally around 7 to 10 days, and usually resolves after two weeks. As the bleeding slowly gets absorbed over time, it typically does not take 5 years. If the bleeding is being absorbed, this usually only takes a few weeks. Once the absorption of the bleed stabilizes, the patient's condition generally becomes relatively stable. If the patient has not woken up, the likeliness of waking up several weeks later is very low. If the patient does wake up, it usually happens within about two weeks, or the bleeding may have been very minor, possibly not even causing unconsciousness. Therefore, if it has been five years and the patient's state of consciousness has not recovered, the likelihood of recovery is extremely minimal, and it is unlikely that there will be any change.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Does it take five years to recover from brainstem hemorrhage?

The recovery period after a brainstem hemorrhage generally refers to the acute stage immediately following the bleeding, which is also the period at risk for rebleeding. This high-risk period typically lasts one to two days. Afterwards, there is a phase of brainstem edema, lasting about 14 days, generally around 7 to 10 days, and usually resolves after two weeks. As the bleeding slowly gets absorbed over time, it typically does not take 5 years. If the bleeding is being absorbed, this usually only takes a few weeks. Once the absorption of the bleed stabilizes, the patient's condition generally becomes relatively stable. If the patient has not woken up, the likeliness of waking up several weeks later is very low. If the patient does wake up, it usually happens within about two weeks, or the bleeding may have been very minor, possibly not even causing unconsciousness. Therefore, if it has been five years and the patient's state of consciousness has not recovered, the likelihood of recovery is extremely minimal, and it is unlikely that there will be any change.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Why does gastric bleeding also occur when there is bleeding in the brainstem?

This brainstem hemorrhage, as well as other severe cranial traumas or cerebral hemorrhages, if they cause a severe intracranial hypertension, will lead to a condition called stress ulcer, commonly known as Cushing's ulcer. This occurs because the increased intracranial pressure causes ischemia and hypoxia in the gastric mucosa, which then leads to localized, extensive necrosis of the gastric mucosa, resulting in upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This includes brainstem hemorrhages and many other cranial injuries and cerebral hemorrhages with intracranial hypertension as a very common complication. Therefore, it is due to the local ischemia of the gastric mucosa caused by increased intracranial pressure, leading to bleeding caused by gastric acid corrosion.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Is vomiting severe in brainstem hemorrhage?

Vomiting after brainstem hemorrhage is definitely a serious matter because if the vomiting is caused by a brain-related issue, it is due to increased intracranial pressure. This type of vomiting is characterized as projectile vomiting, which is one of the three major signs of increased intracranial pressure. If the brainstem hemorrhage is extensive, it may cause local stimulation leading to cerebral vascular spasm, or issues such as obstructed brain circulation resulting in increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus. This increase in intracranial pressure, especially if prolonged, can lead to brain herniation, which is particularly deadly if it compresses the brainstem. Therefore, this is a very urgent and serious condition that requires immediate attention. Of course, if the vomiting is solely due to other reasons such as gastric retention or improper feeding, that would be a different matter. Projectile vomiting caused by increased intracranial pressure is highly severe.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What will happen with brainstem hemorrhage?

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease because the structure of the brainstem is so crucial. It contains the life centers responsible for breathing and heartbeat, as well as sensory and motor nerve fibers passing through it. If the brainstem hemorrhage is severe and the amount of bleeding is large, the patient may experience paralysis of the limbs, swallowing dysfunction, and choking on water, among other symptoms. If the condition worsens, it can lead to coma, persistent high fever, and even death. Patients with minor brainstem hemorrhages may exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, numbness in the limbs, and paralysis. Generally, brainstem hemorrhages are caused by hypertension, which must be well controlled.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to nourish the body after a brainstem hemorrhage

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous condition. If the bleeding is substantial, the patient may quickly fall into a coma or even die. If the bleeding is less severe, the prognosis might be relatively better. Patients with brainstem hemorrhage typically experience impaired swallowing functions, showing symptoms like inability to swallow food, difficulty in consuming water, and coughing while drinking. Therefore, it is crucial to supplement nutrition. Primarily, a feeding tube can be inserted for hydration and feeding, with the intake mainly consisting of easily digestible foods such as millet porridge, rice porridge, soybean juice, milk, etc. Additionally, it is important to supplement the patient with fresh vegetables and fruits to ensure an adequate supply of vitamin C. Furthermore, high-quality proteins like lean meat and beef should be provided to ensure adequate protein intake for patients with brainstem hemorrhage.