Subdural Hematoma - Venous Thromboembolism and Seizures

Question: Write about theSubdural Hematoma, Venous Thromboembolism and Seizures. Answer: Subdural Hematoma This is a condition that develops when blood accumulates between the layers of the tissues that surround the brain. It is usually associated with bleeding between the dura and the other layers within the brain. High accumulation of blood in the brain results in an increased pressure. The condition is always caused by a number of factors including injury in the head e.g from a serious collision. Individual with bleeding conditions are usually at high risk to suffer the condition. Subdural hematoma is associated with a number of symptoms including loss of consciousness and one may become comatose within a second when exposed to serious and sudden head injuries. Development of subdural hematoma may take days even after the head injury however, the signs may be shown later. Other symptoms of the conditions include; behavioral change, headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting and increased drowsiness among other symptoms (Leroy et al., 2015). A number of interventions have been put in place to manage the condition. Persons who undergo medical treatment after the head injuries are always exposed to head imaging by the use of computer tomography. This method creates images within the skull and is able to detect any traces of subdural hematoma present. Angiography may also be used to handle the condition since the x-ray screen shows the blood flow within the brain. A hole can also be drilled on the skull and blood is removed from within the brain by suction process. Alternatively, part of the skull can be removed for ease access of the subdural hematoma in order to reduce pressure. Venous Thromboembolism This is a condition when blood clot forms in the deep veins within the leg and usually requires immediate medical attention when possible since it is a serious condition when not closely monitored. The blood clot usually blocks the flow of blood and causes greater pain and at times swelling of the skin and the veins in the lower limb or thigh. The temperatures of the body around these parts are usually high especially when exposed to the feeling of touch or at times reddish discoloration may be seen. The condition is usually characterized chest pains always below the rib cage and the pain usually increases when the breathing depth is increased. The affected individuals may also experience shortness of breath altered with a fast heart rate and passing out. Other symptoms include coughing up blood or fainting in some patients. To control and manage this condition, computed tomography can be done or at times, the ventilation-perfusion lung scan can be done. Blood work may also be carried out at the early stages of the disease to detect the clotting activity. Seizures These are signs of problems associated to the brain caused by sudden electrical activity within the brain causing sudden convulsions where a person shakes vigorously in a uncontrolled manner. A person experiencing seizure experiences loss of consciousness or confusion at times, others always experience rapid and abrupt eye movements accompanied by tongue biting or having uncontrolled and involuntary muscle spasms and a very funny tastes in the mouth. Some affected patients do clench their teeth or froth at the mouth and other also fall down always confused for fainting among other symptoms (Thurman etal., 2011). To manage the condition, a number of interventions can be put in place including drug therapy by use of generic drugs which are safe. Other anticonvulsant drugs can also be used though may be expensive at times. Some of the drugs used include; felbamate, gabapentin, phenobarbital and diazepam among others. Reference Leroy, H. A., Aboukas, R., Reyns, N., Bourgeois, P., Labreuche, J., Duhamel, A., Lejeune, J. P. (2015). Predictors of functional outcomes and recurrence of chronic subdural hematomas. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 22(12), 1895-1900. Thurman, D. J., Beghi, E., Begley, C. E., Berg, A. T., Buchhalter, J. R., Ding, D., ... Kroner, B. (2011). Standards for epidemiologic studies and surveillance of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 52(s7), 2-26.