Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Subarachnoid Hemorrhage from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
AHA/ASA Guidelines for the Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (2012) Risk Factors/Prevention Natural History/Outcome Clinical Manifestations/Diagnosis Medical Measures to Prevent Rebleeding Surgical and Endovascular Methods Hospital Characteristics/Systems of Care Anesthetic Management Cerebral Vasospasm and DCI Hydrocephalus Seizures Associated With aSAH Medical Complications
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms
CDC on Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms
Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Risk calculators and risk factors for Subarachnoid hemorrhage history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

The classic symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage is thunderclap headache ("most severe ever" headache developing over seconds to minutes). This headache is often described like being "kicked in the head". 10% of all people with this symptom turn out to have a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and is the only symptom in about a third of all SAH patients. Other presenting features may be vomiting (non-specific), seizures (1 in 14) and meningism. Confusion, decreased level of consciousness or coma may be present. Intraocular hemorrhage (bleeding into the eyeball) may occur. Subhyaloid hemorrhages may be visible on fundoscopy (the hyaloid membrane envelopes the vitreous body).

History and Symptoms

• 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