Bleeding in the brain

Bleeding in the brain
The second basic type of stroke is bleeding stroke, or haemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when a brain aneurysm ruptures or when a weakened or inflamed blood vessel in the brain starts to leak. An aneurysm is a pouch that balloons out from a weakened spot of the wall of an artery. As blood flows into the brain, the build-up of pressure may either kill the tissue directly or destroy cells by impeding normal circulation and oxygen supply to the affected region. This typically produces an excruciating headache, sometimes followed by loss of consciousness.
 In contrast to ischaemic strokes, which are generally survived, massive bleeding strokes are fatal about 80% of the time, while even smaller strokes due to bleeding into the brain cause death about 50% of the time.
 Because of improved treatment and greater public awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure, the overall death rate from stroke is declining. Nonetheless, stroke remains the third leading cause of death in the UK behind heart disease and cancer. It is also the leading cause of disability and second only to Alzheimer’s disease as a cause of dementia.
 Recovery from stroke depends on the extent and location of brain damage. Although about 25% of patients die within the first year of having their first stroke, some stroke victims recover fully. But in the vast majority of cases, there is lasting physical or mental disability. Weakened stroke victims are also more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as pneumonia. In addition, depression often follows a stroke and unless treated, it can significantly hinder recovery.