A hematoma is the outward expression of an injury within the body. A hematoma occurs when small blood vessels rupture under the skin. Without any place to go, the blood pools under the soft tissue. A hematoma is characterized by skin discoloration, commonly called a bruise, swelling, and localized pain.
Hematoma
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersA subdural hematoma occurs when a head injury causes blood to collect between your brain and the outer layers of tissue covering your brain. This collection of blood starts to put pressure on your brain. Symptoms - such as headache, confusion, and sleepiness - may develop immediately in the case of severe head injuries, or they may take weeks to develop in the case of less serious head injuries A subdural hematoma is considered a medical emergency, and immediate treatment to reduce the pressure on your brain is critical.
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Reston Hospital Center answered
A subdural hematoma is caused by some sort of trauma to the head. It can result from a serious injury or a minor injury. When the trauma occurs, blood vessels rupture between your brain and the outer layers of tissue covering your brain. Blood starts to collect in this area and put pressure on your brain.
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
The symptoms of a subdural hematoma may include headache, confusion, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, speech problems, seizures, numbness, unconsciousness, visual disturbances, and weakness. In infants, you may notice problems with feeding, sleepiness, bulges in the soft spots on the head, irritability, vomiting, seizures, bigger head circumference, higher-pitched crying, and separation of the areas where the skull bones come together. Subdural hematoma is considered a medical emergency. If the pressure on the brain is serious enough, coma or even death may result.
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Reston Hospital Center answered
A subdural hematoma occurs when veins rupture in the area between your brain and the outer layers of tissue covering your brain. As a result, blood starts to collect in this area and put pressure on your brain. This may affect your body in many ways. You may feel nauseous or start vomiting. Visual disturbances and headaches may occur. You may experience seizures, numbness, and weakness. A loss of consciousness may take place. And if the pressure on your brain is serious enough, coma or even death may result.
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
There are several factors that can increase your risk for a subdural hematoma. These include:
- Daily use of anticoagulants or aspirin.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Very old age.
- Very young age.
- Frequent head injuries.
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
To diagnose a subdural hematoma, your doctor will first consider your symptoms. If they are suggestive of a subdural hematoma, they will confirm it by looking at images of your brain using a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These scans can help your doctor locate the subdural hematoma and determine its size.
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Reston Hospital Center answeredIf you have any symptoms of subdural hematoma, you should see a doctor immediately. There is treatment for a subdural hematoma, but it is a serious condition that can cause brain injury or become life-threatening. To diagnose you, your doctor will consider your symptoms and order an MRI or CT scan to look at images of your brain. Once diagnosed, treatment may require a surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on your brain, as well as medications to reduce pressure and prevent seizures.
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Reston Hospital Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
Because a subdural hematoma can cause brain injury or become life-threatening, immediate medical attention is critical. To treat a subdural hematoma, your doctor may need to reduce the pressure on your brain through emergency surgery. A small hole drilled through your skull may accomplish this. Larger subdural hematomas may require a larger opening through a procedure called a craniotomy. Medications such as corticosteroids and diuretics may also be used to relieve the pressure. If your doctor is concerned about seizures, anti-convulsion medication may be given.
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Reston Hospital Center answered
Medications can have an important role in the treatment of a subdural hematoma. Corticosteroids and diuretics may be used to relieve the pressure on your brain. If your doctor is concerned about seizures, anti-convulsion medication may be given and continued for up to a year following the injury.