What is Blood Clot in the Brain?

A blood clot is formed in the brain, due to bleeding that takes place in the
area between the skull and brain. This blood forms a clot, which
eventually puts pressure on brain tissue. Functioning of the brain is
affected due to pressure that is exerted on the brain. The chances of
blood clotting in the arteries are very high, at the same time, chances of
finding a blood clot in the veins are very low. Arteries carry blood from the
heart to the other parts of the body, and the veins pump blood to the
heart.

Causes of Blood Clot in the Brain

Head injury often is the most common cause of blood clot in the brain.
Trauma is caused to the brain or the neck in case of a head injury. Blood
clots have a tendency to break away from the area, where it was formed
and move to different areas. The clot when it moves to another part of the
body, blocks blood supply and causes a stroke. Therefore, a clot formed in
the neck can move to the brain and cause a stroke. The other cause of
blood clot formation in the brain is bleeding problems.

Blood Clot in Brain Symptoms

The symptoms of a blood clot in the brain are as follows:

• Seizures: Very often, blood clots in the brain cause seizures. These
seizures last for up to 2 minutes. However, if they last longer, it a
cause for worry.
• Headache: A majority of the people who sought medical help
complained about headaches. Most of these headaches are found in
just one side of the brain. The headache worsens, when there is any
physical activity or head movement. Even coughing or sneezing can
worsen the headache.
• Confusion and Slow Thinking: A person who has a blood clot in the
brain, often takes too long to think. His understanding capacity
therefore, is not very good. They take longer to understand, what is
being told to them. Such a person often often feels confused as well.
• Speaking Difficulties: A person who has a blood clot in the brain,
tends to slur. He will have difficulties in speaking. There are speech
problems if the left side of the brain is affected.
• Paralysis: A blood clot in brain can result in a person being
paralyzed on one side of the body. The body parts which are usually
affected are the face, arm or leg.
• Blindness: Blindness can result due to blood clot in brain.
• Loss of Coordination: There are chances that a person, who has a
clot in the brain can face loss of coordination. At times, the person is
not able to transfer an object from their left hand to the right hand,
or vice versa.
 • Depression: When a person is depressed, often he is given
psychiatric or psychological treatment. However, it is advisable to
get the person checked for blood clots in the brain.

Blood clots in the brain can cause strokes. There are four types of strokes.
Two are not related to clots and are caused by hemorrhage of a blood
vessel or artery (subarachnid or cerebral hemorrhage). The other two
types of strokes are caused by blood clots. These are called cerebral
thrombosis and cerebral embolism. One stroke is precipitated by a
thrombus (clot) formed in the arteries that stops or slows down blood flow
to the brain. The other is created when an embolis, which is a wandering
clot from another part of the body, lodges in an artery and causes
decreased blood flow. Since strokes can cause permanent damage, it is
important to be educated on the symptoms of blood clots in the brain.
Thrombosis
o Cerebral thrombosis (brain clot) is the most common cause of
strokes. It often occurs when blood pressure is low. Many times it
happens at night or first thing in the morning, because blood
pressure is usually lower then.

Clots vs. Strokes

o Symptoms of clots are similar to symptoms of strokes. Often

there are no symptoms until the time of the stroke, or "brain
attack." One symptom that may occur prior to a stroke is a
headache that does not go away or is more severe than any you've
had in the past.

Other Symptoms

o The symptoms of blood clots in the brain include headaches

and dizziness. These may be accompanied by vision changes. There
may be speech changes or even difficulty speaking. Paralysis of
some part of the body may also be a sign of a clot or stroke.
Difficulty walking even if there is not paralysis may be noted.

Transient Ischemic Attacks

o Sometimes these symptoms are experienced for a very short

time, possibly just a few minutes. This could signify what is called a
transient ischemic attack (TIA). It is a "mini-stroke" that may lead to
a full blown stroke. Therefore, even if the symptoms quickly
dissipate, an individual with these symptoms should receive
immediate medical attention.

Warning
o Since blood clots block the flow of blood and can cause
strokes when in the brain, they are very dangerous. The problem is
that cells die quickly without blood to the brain, which is how
permanent damage can occur. The sooner treatment occurs, the
less chance of long-term permanent disability due to brain-cell
death.
o Blood Clot in Brain Treatment
The treatment given for blood clot in brain depends on the cause of
the blood clot. Physicians prescribe aspirin, in their bid to dissolve
the blood clot. There are some steroids, which are also prescribed to
cure a blood clot in the brain. Blood clot busters are used to treat
the blood clot as well. There are also surgeries, which are performed
to remove the blood clot.