The brain is the processing point for the nervous system. Nerves transmit messages from all parts of the body to the brain, and the brain responds by telling the body what to do. The brain also stores information and is the source of emotions. In some diseases, brain swelling is localized to a specific region; in others, the entire brain swells, which places the affected person at a high risk for death.
Brain Abscess
A brain abscess is a collection of pus that forms when bacteria from an infection settle in the brain. Origins of the infection include areas near the brain such as the ears, sinuses, teeth and a head wound or any infection in the body carried through the bloodstream to the brain.
The skull cannot expand, so as the amount of pus in the brain abscess increases, the swelling causes pressure on the surrounding brain tissue. As the abscess grows, the delicate blood vessels of the brain become blocked. The Merck Manual states that a brain abscess is fatal without antibiotic treatment and possibly surgery to remove the abscess.
Acute Liver Failure
Acute liver failure is the result of significant damage to the liver cells that prevents the liver from functioning. Some causes of acute liver failure include certain medications, herbal supplements, autoimmune disease and toxins. When the liver fails, other body systems, such as the kidneys, often fail, according to Georgia Health Info. The resulting buildup of excessive fluid causes swelling in the brain tissue.
Treatment for brain swelling due to acute liver failure includes medications to reduce the fluid buildup. Georgia Health Info also states that since acute liver failure is irreversible in many cases, a liver transplant may be the only treatment.
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors start in any part of the brain, such as the membranes, nerves or brain cells. As the tumor develops, it damages the brain cells and causes inflammation or swelling in the brain tissues. Medline Plus reports that tumors may occur at any age and consist of several types, such as the less malignant astrocytomas, the aggressive glioblastomas, and the frequently benign meningiomas that are more common in women.
Signs and symptoms of a brain tumor vary according to the location and size of the tumor, but the most common include headaches, seizures and altered mental functions. As the brain swelling increases, symptoms of increased pressure include confusion, muscle weakness and dizziness. Brain herniation is a possible complication from the brain swelling caused by tumors.
Reye's Syndrome
Reye's syndrome, or RS, is mostly a childhood disease that is especially damaging to the brain and liver, according to the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation. RS occurs during the recovery process from viral infections such as the flu or chicken pox, or it begins three to five days after the onset of a viral illness. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure for RS.
Immediate treatment for RS is necessary to reduce the swelling in the brain before irreversible damage or death occurs. Symptoms indicating RS following a viral infection are related to the acute rise in pressure within the brain and include recurrent vomiting, irritability, disorientation, convulsions and listlessness.
Meningitis
Meningitis, usually caused by bacteria or viruses, is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Signs and symptoms of meningitis include headache, nausea and stiff neck. Bacterial meningitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is the most serious form, and it must be treated quickly with the appropriate antibiotics to reduce the chances for brain damage or death.
References
- Merck Manual: Brain Abscess Treatment
- Georgia Health Info: Brain Swelling from Acute Liver Failure
- Medline Plus: Types and Occurrence of Brain Tumors
- The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation: Reye's Syndrome Causes Brain Swelling
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Treat Bacterial Meningitis with Antibiotics
