A subarachnoid hemorrhage is often abbreviated as SAH. With SAH, an attack is life-threatening. This condition is very similar to a stroke. Read more about SAB in this article.

SAB

• SAH: subarachnoid hemorrhage
• How often does it occur?
• Symptoms
• Therapy
• Perspective

SAH: subarachnoid hemorrhage

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is caused by a blood vessel that has ruptured. This condition resembles a cerebral hemorrhage. The blood then flows into the space where the cerebrospinal fluid is located, between the hard and soft meninges. Most of the times it occurs, SAH is caused by aneurysm.

How often does it occur?

Fortunately, it is a very rare condition. It occurs in 6 out of 100,000 people each year. People with high blood pressure have the greatest risk of SAH. It generally only occurs in women (sometimes men) between the ages of 40 and 60. It can also be induced in people who have severe tension. If someone has had a SAH and survived, in most cases another one will follow later.

Symptoms

• Sudden severe headache
• Losing consciousness
• Stiff neck
• Double vision or impaired vision
• Cannot tolerate bright light
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea/vomiting

Therapy

Fortunately, this condition does not occur often, but if someone has this condition, he/she should be admitted to hospital immediately. If one is out of danger, a diagnosis will be made immediately, which must be taken very carefully. Unfortunately, there are no medications that can repair SAH. The only solution to this is to rest. Surgery could also be performed to prevent the aneurysm.

Perspective

If a person who has had a serious attack no longer suffers from attacks or symptoms of SAH for about 6 months, the prospects look good and the chance of recovery has almost disappeared.