SUBARANOIDAL hemorrhage - Essay Example

Subaranoidal Hemorrhage Subaranoidal Hemorrhage The concept, disorders of brain function, is related to Fred’s presenting symptomsin the sense that genetic mutation and variation has been identified to contribute to some types of hemorrhagic stroke, a disorder Fred is suffering from. Genetic causes of Subaranoidal hemorrhage include arteriovenous malformations, a condition where blood vessels develop abnormally. This disorder can further be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, a condition that causes the arteries to narrow and in the process preventing flow of blood.

However, this condition is rare compared to other causes of Subaranoidal hermorrhage. A patient suffering from vasculitis may also experience symptoms related to this disorder. The blood vessels inside the brain of such a patient becomes inflamed which when not treated in time causes bursting of the vessels (Porth, 2011). Subaranoidal hemorrhage impairs the ability of the cerebral circulation to sustain a steady cerebral blood flow within the brain by unbalancing the regulation of cerebral blood flow by the small arteries and arterioles located in the brain (Porth, 2011).

SAH can further cause blood to leak into the cerebrospinal fluid forming a clot which blocks cerebrospinal circulation. This blocking of CSF causes the fluid to buildup, a condition which can lead to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus causes the ventricles within the CSF to increase in size making it difficult for patients to coordinate body functions. However, this fluid swelling can be intervened by putting a drain in the ventricles. When this condition is not treated in time, blood leaking from a torn aneurysm can damage nearby brain cells leading to mental complications and physical challenges.

ReferencesPorth, M. (2011). Essentials of Pathophysiology. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.