Cerebral edema
Brain edema is a protective reaction of the body to various kinds of injuries, hypothermia or infectious diseases. As a rule, the process of brain edema passes very quickly, the intercellular space and the cells themselves are filled with fluid, the brain consequently increases in volume, intracranial pressure increases, normal cerebral circulation is disrupted and as a result, the lightning death of brain cells begins. The outcome of the disease depends on the rapid and qualified care of the patient.
CAUSES OF CEREBRAL EDEMA
The causes of cerebral edema can be:
Traumatic brain injury.
Internal hemorrhage.
Bone fragments, often cutting through the soft brain and causing swelling.
Infections that have penetrated into the human body.
Diseases that affect the functioning of the brain, for example, it can be an ischemic stroke.
Sharp elevation changes, from one and a half kilometers above sea level.
SYMPTOMS AND MAIN SIGNS OF CEREBRAL EDEMA
Basically, the symptoms can vary in intensity depending on the course of the disease itself. But mostly the symptoms are of the following nature:
Visual acuity disorder.
Severe headaches.
Disorientation.
Dizziness with nausea and vomiting joining.
Difficulty in speech.
Stupor.
Memory lapses, sometimes turning into amnesia.
Fainting.
Convulsions.
DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN EDEMA
Diagnosis of brain edema can be assigned to each patient based on his symptoms and indicators. But there are also generally accepted methods for diagnosing brain edema. These include:
Neurological examination.
A blood test (it can help identify the cause of brain edema).
MRI or CT scan of the brain (helps to determine the location and the immediate magnitude of the edema focus).
TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL EDEMA
Sometimes all the symptoms of this condition disappear on their own after a few days (for example, with a mild form of mountain sickness or with a slight concussion). If such a disappearance has not occurred, then fast and highly qualified specialist assistance is required. First of all, the treatment aims to restore normal oxygen metabolism in brain cells. As a rule, this is achieved by combining surgical and medical methods of treatment. With the normalization of oxygen metabolism, edema begins to subside. If the therapy was started on time, then the time required for the patient to recover is significantly reduced. This will help to avoid serious structural damage to the brain. The following methods are used in the treatment of brain edema:
Intravenous infusion. This method is used to maintain normal intravenous pressure.
Oxygen therapy. The introduction of oxygen into the respiratory tract artificially with the help of inhalers or other devices. Blood saturated with a large amount of oxygen nourishes damaged brain cells much better and accelerates recovery.
Hypothermia. Decrease in body temperature. This method perfectly fights edema, but nowadays it is very little used.
It is also important to choose the right drugs. They are selected for each patient separately, based on his symptoms and anamnesis. Among the drugs used for brain edema are diuretics, muscle relaxants, barbiturates, corticosteroids.
Ventriculostomy is often used. This is the removal of excess fluid from the brain through a catheter. If the condition is severe, then surgical intervention is performed. If the patient has increased intracranial pressure, then a small fragment of bone is removed (decompensated craniectomy). To eliminate the cause of edema, a blood vessel is restored or the identified neoplasm is removed (if they caused the development of edema).
