Brainstem

What are common conditions that affect the brainstem?

A wide range of injuries and health conditions can damage your brainstem. Some of these include:

• Blood clots.
• Brain tumors.
• Encephalitis.
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
• Stroke.
• Sudden cardiac arrest.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What are common signs and symptoms of brainstem conditions?

Because so many issues can affect your brainstem, signs and symptoms can vary significantly. In general, signs or symptoms of a brainstem injury or condition can include:

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• Balance problems or dizziness.
• Inability to gag or cough.
• Insomnia or other disruptions to your usual sleep patterns.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Slurred speech.
• Eye movement problems
• Stroke symptoms (facial or one-sided weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision changes, etc.).
• Sudden difficulty swallowing, drinking or eating.
• Problems with your autonomic system.
• Impairment of consciousness.

What happens if the brainstem is damaged?

If you experience an injury that damages your brainstem, you might have the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Difficulty swallowing, coughing or gagging.
• Dizziness or vertigo.
• Feeling off balance.
• Heartbeat irregularities.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Changes in consciousness.
• Double vision.
• Weakness and sensory changes.
• Impairment in hearing.
• Problems with coordination and walking.

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Brainstem damage is an emergency. Many people experience brainstem damage after a severe car accident, for example. Damage can affect how well your brainstem can work. In severe cases, your heart may stop beating, you won’t be able to move (paralysis) and you may be in a coma.

Many brainstem conditions are life-threatening or fatal. You may need life support. It’s important to call emergency services right away if you experience any symptoms related to brainstem damage.

What is brainstem death?

Brainstem death means your brainstem stops functioning. It occurs when something permanently damages the brainstem or cuts off your brain’s blood or oxygen supply.

Because your brainstem controls essential life functions, you won’t be able to regain consciousness. You’ll need artificial life support to remain alive. This condition is also called brain death.

Can you recover from a brainstem injury?

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A brainstem injury can have severe effects because your brainstem controls so many of your body’s most important functions. But people do recover from some types of brainstem injuries.

It’s important to get care right away if you think you might have a brainstem injury. The sooner you get care, the more likely your healthcare providers can reduce the severity of the damage. You may need rehabilitation and other special care after a brainstem injury.

What tests check the health of my brainstem?

Imaging tests, like an MRI, are more sensitive than a CT scan in detecting problems with the brainstem. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs) can also provide information on brainstem function.

As your brainstem is responsible for many vital functions and reflexes, during an exam, your provider may also:

• Listen to your heartbeat and breathing.
• Shine a light over your eyes to check your pupil size.
• Ask you to move certain parts of your body.

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Danh mục: Info