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what could cause the brain swelling to go down after a stroke. It's my mother-in-law and she had the stroke about a week ago, is taking cardizem 50mg 4xday, Kappra for seizures and an antibiotic Rocephrin. They are telling us that there is nothing that can be done to prevent the fluid in the brain and she will die within 3 days
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 88 Already Tried: She is in the hospital and they don't know what to treat her with for the fluid
I will be glad to help you find an answer. Please give me a minute to research your question.
The cause of brain swelling post stroke can complex and varied. I will do my best to provide you resources that can answer your questions.
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My first question pertains to the status of your mother-in-law. Is she awake, in a coma, etc? Second, is the hospital equipped to fully deal with issues of this magnitude (e.g. local regional hospital versus a Level 4 trauma center with a neurologist)?
These are questions not answered in the description provided.
The following article provides a good description of "brain swelling" and provides a description, types, treatments, etc.
The information is in lay rather than overly technical terms. The link is: http://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-swelling-brain-edema-intracranial-pressure
There are 5 pages total in this article. To proceed to the next webpage click the link at the bottom of the current article page . lease let me know whether this is helpful. There is much to say and I am not certain what, if any, other questions you might have so I think this article may be the best approach.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I am more than willing to answer or direct you to the appropriate answer.
These are not easy times. I wish the best for your mother-in-law and strength for you all to deal with all that is involved in these matters.
I also want to share the following with you. It only pertains to ischemic strokes. The link is: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1916852-treatment#aw2aab6b6b9
It discusses mannitol, corticosteroids, neurosurgery, inducing a barbituate coma, hemicraniectomy, etc. for cerebral edema control in ischemic stroke - which alternative are viable and which are not.
As is stated in then first link provided, the management approach will depend on the type of stroke.