Learn how to prevent a brain bleeding

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A study from the University of Helsinki reveals that subarachnoid hemorrhage can be prevented with this simple activity

Strokes can be fatal, but, according to a study from the University of Helsinki, they could be avoided easily. Performing half an hour of light exercise weekly would be enough to prevent one of the most lethal disorders: subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Leer en español: Conoce cómo prevenir una hemorragia cerebral

This type of bleeding can kill the sufferer in just three months; In addition, the mortality rate is 50%. Among the causes or triggers of this disorder, is high blood pressure, smoking and the consumption of psychoactive substances. However, until recently, it was not clear how exercise could help prevent this lethal hemorrhage.

The good news is that the Finnish study, published in the Scientific Reports journal, found that the chances of suffering from this disorder are reduced by 5% if you practice 30 minutes of light exercise weekly. The benefit would increase according to the intensity and frequency with which exercise is performed, that is, the greater the physical activity, the lower the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

What are the exercises are that help? 30 minutes of light activity can be achieved by walking or riding a bicycle. The study's lead author states that "even moderate physical exercise, such as a 30-minute walk or a four-day bicycle ride a week, reduces the risk of HSA by approximately 20%, regardless of age and gender".

Although the results seem to be surprising, it has been shown that exercise prevents other types of diseases such as cardiovascular's. Now, it is also well known that smoking is one of the causes of these hemorrhages. This is why scientists recommend not smoking and doing physical activity.

What is a cerebral hemorrhage?

"The majority of SAH hemorrhages are the result of the rupture of cerebral aneurysms, which causes blood to flow from the larger cerebral arteries into the space that is between the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain, which increases the pressure intracranial and reduces cerebral circulation," explains EurekAlert.

What are the symptoms?

The Medline Plus portal explains that the causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage are:

• Aneurysm without rupture in the brain and other blood vessels
• Fibromuscular dysplasia (DFM) and other connective tissue disorders
• High blood pressure
• History of polycystic kidney disease
• Smoking
• Consumption of illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines
• Use of anticoagulants such as Warfarin

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Symptoms include:

• Intense headache
• Decreased state of consciousness and mental alertness
• Discomfort in the eyes with bright light (photophobia)
• Changes in mood and personality, including confusion and irritability
• Muscle aches (especially pain in the neck and pain in the shoulder)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness in some part of the body
• Seizures
• Rigid neck
• Vision problems, including double vision, blind spots, or temporary loss of vision in one eye
• Fallen eyelids
• Pupils of the eyes of different size
• Sudden rigidity of the back and neck

In case of presenting these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.

LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Peñaloza

Translated from "Conoce cómo prevenir una hemorragia cerebral"