Cerebral edema is a life-threatening condition where fluids develop in the brain and cause it to swell. This fluid increases the pressure around the brain – this pressure inside the skull is also known as intracranial pressure (ICP). Cerebral edema refers to the swelling of the brain due to trapped fluid.

Dr. Anil Dhingra, Neurosurgeon in Chandigarh, highlights the symptoms and causes of Cerebral edema.

Symptoms

While it can be very difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose Cerebral edema without appropriate tests and evaluations, there are certain symptoms in case of a head injury that can be linked to swelling.

Symptoms of cerebral edema may include:

• Loss of memory

• Headache, nausea and dizziness

• Difficulty in speaking

• Loss of consciousness

• Difficulty in moving

Causes

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – Falls and other forms of such physical contact can cause an acute trauma and brain swelling.

• Stroke – Some strokes such as an ischemic stroke are the result of blood clots restricting the flow of blood to the brain. This lack of oxygen can cause swelling.

• Infection – Bacteria or viruses can infect the brain and result in these swellings as well.

• Brain haemorrhage – Ruptures and leaks in the blood vessels in the brain can cause inflammation and cause an increase in the ICP.

Treatment

• Medication – The use of drugs prescribed by doctors depending upon the severity on one’s condition, can reduce the swelling and blood clots.

• Hypothermia – One way to decrease the swelling in the brain is to reduce the metabolism in the brain, by lowering the body temperature.

• Surgery – In cases of severe Cerebral edema, surgery could be necessary in order to reduce the ICP.

• Osmotherapy – It is the technique to draw water out of the brain that could be causing it to swell.

Brain swelling can cause long term damage. Dr. Anil Dhingra, Best Brain Surgeon in Chandigarh, believes it is necessary to make people aware about such conditions and illnesses.