A brain hemorrhage is a type of stroke. It’s caused by an artery in the brain bursting and causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues. This bleeding kills brain cells.

Brain hemorrhages are also called cerebral hemorrhages, intracranial hemorrhages, or intracerebral hemorrhages. They account for about 13% of strokes.

Types

There are several types of brain hemorrhages. The type depends on the location of the bleeding:

Intracerebral hemorrhage: This type of bleeding occurs inside the brain.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This bleeding occurs between the brain and the membranes that cover it.
Subdural hemorrhage: This type happens below the inner layer of the dura and above the brain.
Epidural hemorrhage: This is when a bleed develops between the skull and the brain.
Treatment

Surgery may be necessary to treat a severe brain hemorrhage. Surgeons may operate to relieve some of the pressure on the brain.

If a burst cerebral aneurysm causes a hemorrhage, a surgeon may remove part of the skull and clip the artery. This procedure is called a craniotomy.

Other treatment options include anti-anxiety drugs, anti-epileptic drugs, and other medications to control symptoms, such as seizures and severe headaches.

People can recover from a brain hemorrhage, although it is vital that they receive the correct treatment as soon as possible. Rehabilitation can help an individual adjust to life after a brain hemorrhage.