Medically Reviewed By Heidi Moawad, M.D.
— Written By Mandy Baker
Updated on May 30, 2022
What is brain swelling?
Brain swelling, or cerebral edema, occurs when there is an accumulation of fluid in your brain. Generally, your body precisely manages the volume of fluid in your brain. This keeps it at a consistent volume so that your brain can function properly.
However, when the brain is injured or affected by an infection or medical condition, swelling can occur in and around your brain cells. This can have serious and potentially life threatening consequences.
The swelling can interfere with blood flow, and this may cause pressure on nearby areas. The resulting damage can lead to further swelling.
Brain swelling is a
There are two general types of brain swelling.
- Cerebral edema: This is the swelling of the brain tissue. It is typically the result of brain damage.
- Hydrocephalus: This is excess fluid in the ventricles around the brain. It typically occurs due to the blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
No matter the underlying cause of the swelling, it is a serious issue that requires immediate medical attention.
Visit our hub to read more about the brain and nerves.
What causes brain swelling?
Brain swelling has many potential causes, ranging from injuries to underlying medical conditions.
Traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects the functioning of your brain. TBIs are one of the major causes of death and disability in the United States. In 2019, there were
TBIs are
- getting hit in the head or bumping your head
- sustaining a penetrating injury to the head, such as a gunshot wound
There are three types of TBIs:
- a mild TBI (concussion)
- a moderate TBI
- a severe TBI
Mild TBIs are the
Symptoms of a mild TBI vary from person to person and include:
- nausea and vomiting
- vision issues
- headaches
- difficulty paying attention or concentrating
- difficulty thinking clearly
- feeling more emotional than usual
- anger or irritability
- sleep issues
- dizziness or a loss of balance
- feeling foggy or groggy
- feeling anxious or nervous
- memory issues
Those who survive a moderate or severe TBI are more likely to have long-term health problems that can affect every part of their life. These types of TBIs can lead to a prolonged period of unconsciousness or amnesia immediately following the head injury.
Potential long-term effects of moderate or severe TBIs include:
- physical symptoms, such as seizures
- issues with thinking and learning
- changes in hearing, vision, emotions, motor skills, or behaviors
Any TBI is a potentially serious and even life threatening issue. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a TBI, contact your doctor right away.
Stroke
Stroke is the
A stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels that carry oxygen to your brain becomes blocked or bursts. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts. This is because brain cells begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen.
There are two types of stroke.
- Ischemic: This is when the vessels become blocked by a clot or something else.
- Hemorrhagic: This is when one of the arteries in your brain leaks or ruptures.
Knowing the symptoms of stroke can help save your life or the life of someone else.
Symptoms of stroke
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms, call the emergency services or seek immediate medical care:
- sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side
- difficulty seeing that comes on suddenly
- sudden confusion
- difficulty speaking or understanding someone else
- difficulty walking, dizziness, a loss of coordination, or a loss of balance that is sudden
- a severe headache that has no known cause and comes on suddenly
Read about 10 things doctors want you to know about stroke.
Tumors
A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells. The tumor can grow larger as the cells multiply. These are either benign or malignant. Either way, they are often serious and can be life threatening.
There are over 150 different types of brain tumors. They typically fall into two groups.
- Primary: The tumor originates in the brain.
- Metastatic: The tumor is the result of cancer that begins somewhere else in the body.
- headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- blurred vision
- balance issues
- personality or behavioral changes
- seizures
- drowsiness
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a brain tumor, contact your doctor. Early detection and diagnosis are often the key factors in successful treatment.
Other causes of brain swelling
- high altitude sickness
- drug misuse
- a bite from a venomous animal or insect
- hypoxia
- hepatitis
- Reye’s syndrome
- lead poisoning
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- encephalitis
What is the treatment for brain swelling?
Treatment for brain swelling often depends on the cause of the swelling. However, doctors will typically try to reduce the swelling before treating the underlying cause.
Typical treatment to reduce swelling includes:
- correcting metabolic derangements
- placing a ventricular shunt
- managing the fluid
- controlling blood sugar
- controlling blood pressure
Your doctor may also recommend steroid medications to help reduce the swelling.
What are the potential complications of brain swelling?
If brain swelling goes untreated, it can lead to many long-term issues and even death.
Complications of brain swelling can include:
- memory issues
- sleep issues
- disability
- personality or behavioral changes
- seizures
- coma
- death
If you believe that you may have brain swelling or a condition that can cause brain swelling, contact a doctor right away.
Other frequently asked questions
These are more questions that people have asked about brain swelling. Dr. Heidi Moawad, M.D., has medically reviewed these answers.
How can you reduce brain swelling naturally?
There is no natural method to manage and reduce brain swelling. You should always seek medical attention if you show symptoms of brain swelling.
How long can you live with brain swelling?
Untreated brain swelling is almost always fatal. How long this takes can depend on the cause of the swelling. For example, with a large stroke, brain swelling can lead to death within 1 week.
If you have any symptoms of brain swelling or any symptoms of a condition that can cause brain swelling, you should seek treatment immediately.
Summary
Brain swelling is a buildup of fluid in and around your brain. This can cause long-term health issues and even lead to death.
Brain swelling is typically due to an injury or an underlying medical condition.
If you have swelling of your brain, it is important to seek immediate medical care. It is almost always fatal if left untreated.
