The cerebral hemisphere of our bicameral (two-chambered) brain is known as the seat of thought, memory, awareness, motor function, sensory function, and speech -- i.e., the higher brain. When a hemorrhage (bleeding from trauma injury or arterial damage) occurs inside the brain in one or both of the hemispheres, it is called an intracerebral hemorrhage.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is one of the prime causes. It is also suspected that the underlying blood vessels of the brain may be abnormal with microaneurysms (i.e., tiny outpouchings of the arterial walls which are weak and subject to bursting).
Bleeding commonly occurs in the basal ganglia, and less commonly in the pons, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral white matter. The hemorrhage (bleeding) may extend into the ventricular system or subarachnoid space of the brain. The bleeding, in some cases, may compress the brain stem (lower part of the brain). If brain stem compression occurs, the death rate is very high.
Loss of consciousness (in 50%)
Vomiting
Headache
Paralysis, Speech Problems, or other specific neurological problems, depending on the area of the bleed
