Bleeding in the brain, also known as intracranial hemorrhage, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. There are two main areas where bleeding can occur: within the skull but outside the brain tissue, or inside the brain tissue itself. The most common causes of brain bleeds include:

• Head trauma: Injuries to the head are the most common reason for a brain hemorrhage to occur in people younger than 50 years old.
• High blood pressure: This chronic condition can weaken blood vessel walls over a long period of time and is a major preventable cause of brain hemorrhages.
• Aneurysm: An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel wall weakens and swells. A burst aneurysm can cause bleeding in the brain and lead to stroke.
• Blood or bleeding disorders: People who have diseases such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia are more likely to experience brain bleeds.

Bleeding in the brain can reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, create extra pressure in the brain, and kill brain cells. Symptoms of brain bleeds can include headache, nausea and vomiting, tingling in the extremities, facial paralysis, sudden tingling, weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side of the body, sudden, severe headache, lethargy or confusion, loss of consciousness, difficulty understanding, speaking, reading or writing. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention as any type of bleeding inside the skull or brain is a medical emergency.