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Brain Edema-Hematomas

Before you address any other injuries following a car crash or activity that led to a blow to your head, consider the possibility that you may have a hematoma or brain bleed. Brain edema, caused by pooling blood in your brain, is a common occurrence after sports injuries and assaults. If you don’t get appropriate treatment, you can suffer serious consequences, including death. Call the experts at Neuro Injury Specialists in NY and NJ when you suspect you have brain edema after you get hit in the head.

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    What Is Brain Edema?

    Brain edema is a serious condition that occurs when there’s excess fluid in the brain. The fluid causes pressure to build up inside the skull, which can damage the brain tissue and affect its function. Brain edema is a life-threatening condition because it can lead to severe complications, such as seizures, coma or death if left untreated. Brain edema needs immediate medical attention.

    At Neuro Injury Specialists  in New York and New Jersey, you find a team of medical professionals who can diagnose and treat brain edema effectively. These physicians can help you with pain management and recovery. Dr. Mark Cohen is a neurologist, Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, and Dr, Leon Reyfman is a brain injury specialist and anesthesiologist. Together, they offer a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan to heal your injury.

    Brain Edema-Hematomas

    What Causes Brain Edema?

    Hematomas are bruises on the brain that cause blood to pool and collect in the skull. Hematomas in the brain cause brain edema and are usually caused by trauma to the head, such as from a car accident, a fall, a sports injury or an assault. But some hematomas can also occur spontaneously, without any obvious injury.

    There are factors that increase the risk of spontaneous hematomas in the brain. For example, high blood pressure weakens the walls of the blood vessels in the brain and makes them more prone to rupture.

    Other risk factors include:

    • Aneurysms, bulges or weak spots in blood vessels that can burst and bleed into the brain
    • Blood disorders, conditions like hemophilia or sickle cell anemia that affect blood clotting
    • Blood thinners, medications like warfarin or aspirin, which inhibit clotting
    • Aging, because blood vessels grow fragile and brain tissue shrinks, allowing blood to pool

    What Are the Signs of Brain Edema and Hematomas?

    Brain edema and hematomas lead to various signs and symptoms, some of which are seen in other types of brain injuries. A hematoma brings on a headache that gets worse over time or doesn’t go away.

    You may also experience drowsiness and loss of consciousness as the hematoma progresses.

    Seek immediate medical attention for hematomas if you experience symptoms after a blow to the head, such as:

    • Vomiting or nausea
    • Dizziness or vertigo
    • Confusion or disorientation
    • Unequal pupil size
    • Slurred speech
    • Loss of movement or weakness
    • Seizures or convulsions
    • Neck pain or stiffness
    • Vision issues or blindness

    What Complications Are Caused by Brain Hematoma?

    Brain edema can cause irreversible damage to the brain and lead to life-threatening complications. Herniation of the brain is a condition where the brain tissue is pushed out of its normal position due to increased pressure inside the skull. It compresses the brain stem, which controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate, and results in coma or death.

    Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a condition where the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord accumulates and causes chronic pressure on the brain. It can lead to symptoms such as headache, weakness, incontinence and difficulty walking.

    Other complications include:

    • Paralysis or loss of sensation
    • Motor or sensory deficits, depending on the location of the injury
    • Speech impairment as damage to language areas causes difficulty speaking, reading or writing
    • Cognitive problems affecting memory, attention and problem-solving skills
    • Seizures caused by abnormal electrical brain activity

    What Are the Treatments for Brain Edema?

    Treatment for brain edema and hematomas can be done with drugs to reduce the swelling, inflammation or bleeding in the brain. It can also involve surgery to remove part of the skull or the hematoma to relieve the pressure on the brain and prevent permanent brain damage.

    A craniotomy is an often-used surgical procedure that involves making an opening in the skull and removing the hematoma or the tumor that’s causing the brain edema. It also allows the brain to expand and reduce intracranial pressure.

    For effective treatment, your neurosurgeon may deploy a combination of treatments including:

    • Mannitol or hypertonic saline, which are osmotic agents that draw fluid out of the brain cells
    • Steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce brain edema and prevent fluid leakage
    • Anticonvulsants that prevent or treat seizures and stabilize brain activity
    • Anticoagulants or antiplatelets to prevent or treat blood clots and improve blood flow
    • Decompressive craniectomy, a surgical procedure that removes a large portion of the skull and creates more space for the brain

    Brain edema and hematomas are serious conditions that can cause severe and lasting damage to the brain or cause death. But with prompt diagnosis and treatment, they can be managed effectively. Neuro Injury Specialists in New York and New Jersey have the expertise and experience to provide you with the best care for hematomas and other traumatic brain injuries. Contact this practice for a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.