What Causes A Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?

A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when bleeding develops in the space between the brain and the membrane that protects it. Known as the subarachnoid space, this area cushions the brain, protecting it from injury. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates throughout the area. Patients experiencing a subarachnoid hemorrhage often report an intense, sudden headache with severe pain at the base of their skull. They may feel a popping sensation in their head, and most describe the headache as the worst of their lives. Patients might also notice pain in their neck and shoulders, a feeling of numbness throughout their body, decreased or double vision, and confusion. Seizures, sensitivity to light, and a rapid loss of mental alertness could occur. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is considered a life-threatening medical emergency, and patients exhibiting indicators of this condition should be taken to an emergency room by ambulance. Doctors at the hospital will perform CT or MRI scans, and some patients may need to have cerebral angiography or a lumbar puncture. Treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient, and surgical interventions are the primary treatment method. Subarachnoid hemorrhages are more common in women, and they occur most often in individuals between forty to sixty-five years old.