After a head injury occurs, one thing that you want to watch out for elevated intracranial pressure. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from elevated intracranial pressure, it is best to get them medical help as soon as possible. To learn more about intracranial pressure, read on. Here, I will discuss what intracranial pressure is, common causes of this issue, symptoms to watch out for, and how this issue can be treated.
What is Intracranial Pressure?
Intracranial pressure is a term that refers to the amount of pressure exerted on brain tissue by the cranium. Intracranial pressure also affects the amount of pressure on cerebrospinal fluid and the blood volume in the brain. Pressure in the cranium changes frequently depending on different activities such as a person’s respiratory cycle, exercise, coughing, straining, arterial pulsation, and more. Head trauma can also change the amount of pressure on the brain. At rest, the normal amount of intracranial pressure in a person’s brain is 7-15 millimeters of mercury. While sitting or standing upright, normal pressure is -10 millimeters of mercury.
Causes of High Intracranial Pressure
One of the leading causes of elevated intracranial pressure is brain trauma. More specifically, brain trauma that causes cerebral edema and/or hematoma can cause elevated intracranial pressure. Issues such as cerebral edema and hematoma alter the brain’s structure, create excess cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, and destroy brain tissue. All of these issues have the ability to change the intracranial pressure within the brain.
Symptoms of this Issue
If intracranial pressure increases to more than 25 milligrams of mercury, it can be fatal in adults. Children can handle elevated intracranial pressure for longer periods of time than adults can, but can still be seriously harmed or even killed by this issue. Because this is such a serious issue, it is important to watch out for its signs and symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Altered level of consciousness
- Abnormal respiratory patterns
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Visual issues
- Slow heart rate
If you notice any of these symptoms in a loved one, particularly after some type of head trauma, get them help from a medical professional as soon as possible. After a brain injury, it is important to seek a doctor’s help anyway, as very serious issues could be happening in the brain.
Treating Intracranial Pressure
The standard treatment of intracranial pressure is a two-pronged approach. First, doctors seek to treat the underlying cause of the intracranial pressure. Second, doctors should treat the current symptoms that the patient is exhibiting. Most cases of intracranial pressure can be treated through the use of pharmaceuticals. However, there are also a few different types of surgery that can relieve pressure on certain parts of the brain. Make sure to go over these options with your loved one’s doctor if they are suffering from elevated intracranial pressure.
Getting Help
After any sort of brain injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your loved one could be suffering from elevated intracranial pressure, or another serious brain issue. Getting them checked out will ensure that they receive proper treatment.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with intracranial pressure, talk to their doctor about treatment options and how you can help them recover. You can also contact my office for more information and resources.
