Doctor Alert: Brain Hemorrhage High Risk, Seek Immediate Care for Warning Signs

Thailand’s Department of Medical Services warns that brain hemorrhage is a life-threatening emergency with over 20% mortality. Recognize symptoms like severe headache, slurred speech, and limb weakness, and seek urgent medical care.

 

The Department of Medical Services, through the Neurological Institute of Thailand, has issued a warning that intracerebral hemorrhage caused by ruptured brain blood vessels is a critical neurological emergency with a high mortality rate. The condition typically occurs suddenly, and the faster a patient reaches the hospital, the higher the chances of survival.

 

Thanin Wechapinan, M.D., Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, stated that brain hemorrhage can occur in all age groups, although the causes may differ.

 

In younger patients, it is often associated with aneurysms or vascular malformations, which may remain asymptomatic until rupture occurs, leading to sudden neurological symptoms.

 

In another group particularly those with long-standing high blood pressure—the condition may develop due to chronic damage to blood vessel walls. Poorly controlled hypertension can lead to tearing or rupture of cerebral vessels, resulting in bleeding in the brain. This can cause paralysis, stroke, or death.

 

Dr. Anek Kanoksilp, Director of the Neurological Institute, added that most patients with brain hemorrhage experience a sudden, severe headache unlike any they have had before, along with neurological abnormalities such as:

     ๐ Altered consciousness

     ๐ Slurred speech

     ๐ Weakness on one side of the body

 

If the bleeding occurs in the cerebellum, patients may experience loss of balance, dizziness, and difficulty speaking, which may resemble symptoms of intoxication. Since the cerebellum controls coordination and movement, any disruption can significantly impair physical function.

 

Patients showing these symptoms should be taken to the nearest hospital immediately for urgent diagnosis and treatment.

 

For diagnosis, physicians will perform medical history assessment, physical examination, and brain imaging (such as CT scans) to determine the type and location of the hemorrhage and plan appropriate treatment.

 

Although the mortality rate remains high with a reported 20.10% death rate in 2025 according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health early hospital access can significantly reduce mortality, disability, and long-term complications.

 

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the bleeding:

     ๐ Small hemorrhages may be managed with supportive care and blood pressure control

     ๐ Larger hemorrhages may require surgical intervention to remove accumulated blood

     ๐ In cases involving aneurysms or vascular abnormalities, doctors may perform endovascular procedures or combined treatment approaches

 

Early recognition and immediate medical attention are crucial the sooner patients receive care, the greater their chances of survival and recovery without permanent disability.

 

Source : Thai Health Promotion Foundation