Subarachnoid hemorrhage headache causes

Written by Wang Li Bing

Intensive Care Medicine Department

Updated on September 18, 2024

00:00

00:00

Subarachnoid hemorrhage commonly presents with clinical symptoms such as headache, reflex vomiting, and even consciousness disorders, seizures, etc. The main reasons for headaches caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage are, firstly, increased intracranial pressure, and secondly, impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to excessive accumulation in the subarachnoid space causing headaches. Additionally, blood entering the subarachnoid space can stimulate the meninges and toxic substances can also cause headaches. Therefore, patients should go to the hospital for a complete cranial CT examination and consult with the Department of Neurology or Neurosurgery.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Shen Jiang Chao

Radiology

1min

home-news-image

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage CT Imaging Manifestations

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is caused by the rupture of cerebral blood vessels due to various reasons, allowing blood to flow into the subarachnoid space. Common causes include trauma and rupture of congenital aneurysms. Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the rupture of congenital aneurysms typically presents on a CT scan with high-density appearances at the base of the skull in the brain pools, especially widespread columnar high-density appearances in the suprasellar cistern, lateral fissure cistern, anterior interhemispheric fissure, and around the circumferential pool. If the subarachnoid hemorrhage is due to trauma, the abnormalities are more localized, generally appearing in the brain pool or cerebral sulcus on the side of injury with high-density appearances, and may also be accompanied by hematomas within the ventricles or bleeding in other locations.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 7sec

home-news-image

Subarachnoid hemorrhage: how to treat?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage, the most common cause of which is due to the rupture of an aneurysm. The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm leads to blood entering the subarachnoid space, causing corresponding clinical symptoms. Patients may experience severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, accompanied by significant restlessness, and may also develop complications such as cerebral vasospasm, hydrocephalus, which can be life-threatening. The treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage mainly includes: First, it is recommended to promptly complete a full cerebral angiography. If an aneurysm is found, interventional embolization of the aneurysm may be administered. Second, the patient should be advised to rest in bed and maintain emotional stability. Some sedative medications should be given to the patient. Additionally, calcium channel blockers should be administered to prevent cerebral vasospasm. Furthermore, electrolyte disturbances must be corrected to prevent severe complications such as hydrocephalus.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

53sec

home-news-image

Causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease, in which patients experience severe headaches, noticeable nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and agitation. If the bleeding is extensive, the patient can quickly become comatose and may develop serious complications such as cerebral vasospasm and hydrocephalus. Common causes of cerebral hemorrhage include: First, cerebral aneurysms. Cerebral aneurysms are the most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage and may be related to congenital developmental abnormalities or acquired factors such as smoking. Second, arteriovenous malformations, which are also a common cause of bleeding. Third, there are other causes, such as trauma or coagulation disorders, and long-term use of anticoagulant medications may also be contributing factors.

home-news-image

Written by Wang Li Bing

Intensive Care Medicine Department

40sec

home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage

The main clinical manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage are sudden severe headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, with positive signs of meningeal irritation. If such symptoms occur, it is urgent to seek medical attention and perform a cranial CT scan. If the CT shows a high-density shadow in the subarachnoid space, it can be diagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the patient should be treated in neurology or neurosurgery for active management. Clinically, conservative medication treatment is generally adopted, paying attention to changes in the patient's consciousness and pupils, and surgical treatment may be considered if necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Jin Chao

Neurosurgery

52sec

home-news-image

Is there a cure for secondary bleeding in subarachnoid hemorrhage?

This needs to be specifically analyzed based on the patient's condition. In most cases, a second subarachnoid hemorrhage is often very severe and generally considered beyond recovery. The patient is likely to die or, even if their life is saved, they may suffer from serious sequelae. They may remain in a prolonged coma, exist in a vegetative state, or suffer from severe impairments that prevent them from caring for themselves. However, some patients are luckier. With a second or third subarachnoid hemorrhage that is not very severe, if it is recognized early and treated promptly, and if the primary diseases are managed and aneurysms are treated with embolization or craniotomy for clipping, the outcomes can be favorable. In such cases, complete recovery is possible, and the patient can be saved.