Swelling of the brain is a serious event that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage. When the brain swells, it gradually increases pressure on the skull and symptoms worsen. According to Merck.com, symptoms include vision changes, worsening headache, decrease in the level of consciousness and vomiting. As the pressure continues to increase, new symptoms appear such as the person becomes unresponsive and pupils widen.
Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, a traumatic brain injury, TBI, is defined as a blow or jolt to a person's head or a penetrating injury to the brain. This causes the brain to make contact with the skull, resulting in swelling and bleeding in the brain. TBIs can range from mild to severe. Those with mild TBIs might briefly lose consciousness while those with severe TBIs might experience an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is the swelling of the brain caused by an infection. According to MayoClinic.com, encephalitis occurs either as primary form or secondary form. Primary form occurs when a viral infection infects the brain and spinal cord. Secondary form occurs when the infection starts somewhere else and travels to the brain.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or an artery and limits the flow of blood to the brain, causing the brain to swell. Because the brain is not receiving blood, the brain cells begin to die. According to the American Stroke Association, where the stroke occurred in the brain and how much damaged occurred will determine how the patient will be affected. Patients who had a minor stroke can have weakness on one side of the body. Patients who had a major stroke can lose the ability to speak, move or remember.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain, occurs when fluid builds up on the brain because of a blockage that isn't allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to drain. Hydrocephalus comes in two types: congenital or acquired. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, congenital hydrocephalus occurs either during fetal development of because of genetics. Acquired hydrocephalus can affect anyone and is caused by injury or disease.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are a mass of abnormal cells that form a mass in the patient's brain. Brain tumors can be benign or malignant which causes swelling in the brain. Benign tumors are noncancerous and malignant tumors are cancerous that can either start in your brain or spread to your brain from another cancer. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, more than 120 types of brain tumors have been identified.
