In the United States, thousands of families are caring for aging adults who suffer from dementia related symptoms. Of this aging population, many suffer from a curable form of dementia secondary to a brain complication known as subdural hematoma. As a result, when caring for an aging adult, with a sudden onset of dementia related symptoms, seeking medical attention may be necessary to properly diagnose a dementia which is treatable versus one which is truly progressive and non-treatable.
A subdural hematoma, in the most simplest of terms, is a treatable medical condition in which blood collects or pools within an area of the head, between the brain and the skull, leading to a compression of the affected brain area. The pressure from the collection of blood, known as the hematoma, will create a mental impairment with symptoms commonly exhibited as dementia. Attributed to a variety of circumstances, the subdural hematoma is usually the result of a head injury, but can be attributed to viral and bacterial infections as well; often leaving many patients to suffer from a progressive deterioration in mental capacity.
Diagnosing subdural hematoma is rather simple and can be achieved through examination by a neurologist and the use of an MRI study of the brain. On MRI, the subdural hematoma will present as a darkened area representing abnormal blood flow to a particular area of the brain which is under compression. Unlike other forms of dementia, the subdural hematoma can, usually, be remedied with a simple, although risky, surgical procedure.
Treating subdural hematoma involves the use of invasive surgical procedures in which blood is aspirated from the brain, known as a craniotomy. With such a risk, many neurologists, when treating a patient with subdural hematoma, may opt to simply monitor the blood brain area to see if the body will naturally heal and reabsorb the excess blood on its own. However, because the mortality rate is quite significant with subdural hematomas, the neurologist must carefully monitor the growth and expansion of the hematoma, offering remedy when it is clear the brain will not reabsorb the excess blood accumulation.
Unlike more permanent and progressive dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, subdural hematoma-induced dementia will generally appear rather quickly resulting in symptom magnification anywhere from 24 hours to up to two weeks following head injury or onset of infection. Symptoms of subdural hematoma range from simple illness such as nausea and vomiting to seizures and loss of mental processes including awareness as to specific dates and times.
When the body is unable to absorb the subdural hematoma, and craniotomy must be performed, the patient and family members should be well versed in the risks and associated recovery involved in the craniotomy. While the craniotomy can be done under a local anesthetic, it is usually completed with general anesthetics so as to ensure the patient does not move during the procedure.
Because the craniotomy patient requires a closely monitored recovery period, coupled with continued symptoms of dementia, 24-hour care must be used in the days and weeks following the craniotomy. Generally, within one week of surgery, the sutures are removed and the neurologist will re-evaluate the subdural hematoma patient to ensure bleeding has diminished and the hematoma is no longer placing pressure against the brain. Beyond the recovery period, many subdural hematoma patients notice an immediate sign in recovery from dementia with almost full recovery within 60 days following the craniotomy. This, of course, will depend on the factors resulting in the subdural hematoma and the size and length of time the subdural hematoma placed pressure against the brain.
As with any dementia onset, seeking out early intervention and diagnosis is crucial to effective treatment and recovery. In cases where a loved one exhibits dementia, it is imperative to obtain early diagnosis and not assume the signs of dementia are related to an aging process. When faced with subdural hematoma, surgery can be risky but may provide the only feasible alternative to improving long term health and reduce the risk of a fatal outcome often associated with subdural hematoma.
