Is vomiting severe in brainstem hemorrhage?

Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on November 25, 2024
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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 Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Can brainstem hemorrhage be cured?

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Although the brainstem is very small, it contains almost all vital neurological functions. Once hemorrhage occurs, it can cause severe neurological dysfunction, and even lead to the patient's death due to cessation of heartbeat and breathing in a short period. So, can brainstem hemorrhage be cured? It mainly depends on the location of the hemorrhage, the amount of bleeding, and the clinical symptoms. Patients with less bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the upper end of the brainstem, and milder clinical symptoms have a better chance of recovery. However, those with more extensive bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the lower end of the brainstem, and more severe clinical symptoms have a lesser likelihood of recovery.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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How long does it take for a brainstem hemorrhage clot to be absorbed?

In general, the absorption time for a brainstem hemorrhage clot is around two to three weeks. During this period, several phases must be passed, with the two main ones being the rebleeding phase and the brain swelling phase. Rebleeding often occurs within three days after the initial bleeding. If not treated promptly during this time, it can easily lead to further brainstem hemorrhage, increasing the size of the clot and hindering the later absorption process. The second phase is the peak of brain swelling and vasospasm. During this phase, certain substances released during the absorption of blood vessels and clots can cause swelling and spasms of the surrounding tissues. If this phase is also safely navigated, then subsequent absorption tends to be relatively quicker. However, complete absorption generally requires at least two to three weeks.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is brainstem hemorrhage related to smoking?

Brainstem hemorrhage is somewhat related to smoking. For brainstem hemorrhage, smoking acts as a trigger. During the process of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco may cause constriction of the brain's blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure. When blood pressure rises beyond the blood vessels' ability to regulate themselves, it often induces the vessels to rupture and bleed, resulting in a brainstem hemorrhage. Of course, for brainstem hemorrhage, smoking is just one triggering factor and not the sole cause. For these patients, the majority of cases are largely related to poor lifestyle habits, poor dietary habits, and the individual's underlying vascular conditions.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Why would there be bleeding in the brainstem?

Firstly, hemorrhaging can occur anywhere there are blood vessels. The brainstem is an important functional area of the human brain, connecting the cerebrum above and the spinal cord below, with the cerebellum closely positioned behind it. It serves as a crucial relay station for neural connections. This area is the control center of human life, managing vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Additionally, this area is densely packed with blood vessels. For patients with chronic hypertension, unstable blood pressure control can lead to degeneration and necrosis of the vessels, and even the formation of dissecting aneurysms or microaneurysms, which can cause the vessels to rupture and bleed under certain conditions. Like the vessels in other parts of the intracranial space, the blood vessels in the brainstem can also bleed. This is referred to as brainstem hemorrhage.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Can I drink fish soup with brainstem hemorrhage?

The patient experienced a brainstem hemorrhage, and if the bleeding is extensive, it's possible that the patient could be in a deep coma. In more severe cases, brain death could occur, where the patient would not be able to breathe on their own. Since the pathology mainly occurs in the brain, when the patient is in a coma, they are certainly not able to eat by themselves. At this time, feeding usually involves the insertion of a tube through the nose down to the stomach, called a nasogastric tube. Through this tube, food is delivered directly to the stomach, allowing for gastrointestinal nutrition. Commonly, the gastrointestinal function of such patients remains normal, so it is possible to administer liquid nutrition through the nasogastric tube, such as nutrient solutions or fish soup, without any issues.