What is a brain haemorrhage, what are the signs, symptoms and causes of Sir Alex Ferguson’s condition and what’s the recovery process?

A BRAIN haemorrhage is a serious health condition which requires intensive hospital care.

Here’s the lowdown on Sir Alex Ferguson’s condition, the signs and symptoms and how it’s treated.

What is a brain haemorrhage?

A brain haemorrhage is a type of stroke which is caused by an artery bursting in the brain.

This causes bleeding in the surrounding tissues and kills brain cells.

The meaning of haemorrhage is literally “blood bursting forth”, and the condition causes around 13 per cent of strokes.

A brain haemorrhage is also known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

It is most often caused by a brain aneurysm.

What are the symptoms of a brain haemorrhage?

When blood from a trauma irritates brain tissue, swelling happens and the pooled blood collects into a mass.

This increases pressure on brain tissue nearby, which reduces vital blood flow and kills off brain cells.

The symptoms of a brain haemorrhage include:

• Sudden severe headache
• Seizures
• Arm or leg weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Tingling or numbness
• Difficulty speaking, swallowing, writing and reading

How is a brain haemorrhage treated?

A doctor will determine which parts of the brain are affected based on a patient’s symptoms.

They may run imaging tests such as a CT scan, which can reveal internal bleeding or blood accumulation, or an MRI.

Neurological exams or eye exams can show swelling of the optic nerve.

Treatment depends on the location, cause and extent of the haemorrhage.

Medications such as painkillers, corticosteroids or diuretics may be prescribed to reduce swelling.

Anticonvulsants are prescribed to control seizures.

Surgery may be needed to alleviate swelling and prevent bleeding.

Up to half of all who suffer an intracerebral haemorrhage die, with most deaths taking place within the first two days.

Those who survive experience a slow recovery, with only 12 per cent able to recover complete or near-complete functioning within 30 days.