Subarachnoid hemorrhage (patient information): Difference between revisions
Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
==How to know you have subarachnoid hemorrhage?== | ==How to know you have subarachnoid hemorrhage?== | ||
:*Medical history, [[physical examination]] and [[neurological examation]] | :*Medical history, [[physical examination]] and [[neurological examation]] | ||
:*Head | :*Head noncontrast [[CT]]: Head CT may show evidence of [[aneurism]] and hemorrhage area. In some cases, CT scan may be normal. | ||
:*[[Magnetic resonance imaging]] ([[MRI]]) and [[magnetic resonance angiography]] ([[MRA]]): These images are occasionally used to diagnose a subarachnoid hemorrhage or find other associated conditions. | :*[[Magnetic resonance imaging]] ([[MRI]]) and [[magnetic resonance angiography]] ([[MRA]]): These images are occasionally used to diagnose a subarachnoid hemorrhage or find other associated conditions. | ||
:*Cerebral [[angiography]]: This test can show small [[aneurysm]]s or other vascular problems. It can locate the exact point of the bleed and can tell whether there is blood vessel spasm or not. | :*Cerebral [[angiography]]: This test can show small [[aneurysm]]s or other vascular problems. It can locate the exact point of the bleed and can tell whether there is blood vessel spasm or not. |
Revision as of 19:29, 31 March 2010
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is subarachnoid hemorrhage?
How do I know if I have subarachnoid hemorrhage and what are the symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- Severe headache: Headache is the main symptom. It often starts suddenly and starts after a popping or snapping feeling in the head.
- Speech disturbance
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Numbness
- Neck pain
- Double vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sudden or decreased consciousness
- Personality changes such as confusion and irritability
Who is at risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- Cerebral arteriovenous malformation
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Head injury
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Idiopathic
How to know you have subarachnoid hemorrhage?
- Medical history, physical examination and neurological examation
- Head noncontrast CT: Head CT may show evidence of aneurism and hemorrhage area. In some cases, CT scan may be normal.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): These images are occasionally used to diagnose a subarachnoid hemorrhage or find other associated conditions.
- Cerebral angiography: This test can show small aneurysms or other vascular problems. It can locate the exact point of the bleed and can tell whether there is blood vessel spasm or not.
- Lumbar puncture: When your severe headache is suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage but head CT shows normal, the doctor may order this test. During this procedure, the patient lies on the side, with knees pulled up toward the chest, and chin tucked downward. After injecting the anesthetic into the lower spine, the doctor insert a spinal needle into the lower back area to measure CSF pressure and collect a sample. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage will have blood in the spinal fluid.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Go to emergency department or call 911 as soon as possible when you feel severe headache.
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Directions to Hospitals Treating subarachnoid hemorrhage
Prevention of subarachnoid hemorrhage
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000701.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/794076-overview
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch211/ch211d.html
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/subarachnoid+hemorrhage
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/umbrain16.htm
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000701.htm