Encephalomalacia (softening of the brain): medications, symptoms, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is encephalomalacia?

Encephalomalacia is a condition characterized by localized softening of brain tissue due to inflammation or bleeding. This condition is sometimes also known as softening of the brain. Softening can occur in one specific part of the brain or it may be more extensive.

In rare cases, brain damage or degeneration can cause excessive softening of the substances inside. This condition can affect different parts of the organ and damage the tissues in the frontal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe and temporal lobe.

This disease causes these causes to completely stop the affected part of the brain from working. This disorder affects both adults and children and can even occur in the womb.

Depending on the part of the brain that is affected, this condition can be divided into the following two types:

• Leukoencephalomalacia (encephalomalacia affecting the white matter of the brain)
• Polioencephalomalacia (encephalomalacia affecting the gray matter of the brain)

These disorders can also be classified into the following three categories according to their color and degree of damage:

• Red softening
• Softening yellow
• White softening

How common is encephalomalacia?

This condition can be experienced by anyone, both men and women. However, this condition can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of encephalomalacia?

Individuals with this condition can experience a variety of mild to severe symptoms due to cessation of function of the part of the brain involved. These symptoms can include:

• Sleepy
• Blindness
• Headache
• Ataxia
• The head feels depressed
• The head feels spinning (vertigo)
• Sometimes this condition causes variations in brain size that can trigger changes in brain flexibility.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from worsening. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible to prevent more serious conditions.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes encephalomalacia?

Various diseases and health conditions can cause this problem of brain deterioration. This disorder generally occurs due to a stroke or serious head injury that can cause bleeding (hemorrhagic) into the brain. Softening of the brain is most commonly found in areas with abnormal blood accumulation.

In some cases, certain parts of the brain can experience softening due to insufficient blood flow. Disturbances in blood flow can result from:

• Stroke
• Severe swelling in the brain that interferes with cerebral blood flow
• Removal of tumors from within the brain that have occupied and destroyed surrounding tissue

Certain parts of the brain die from a stroke which can cause neurons to be replaced by scar tissue containing astrocytes. This scar tissue contracts and forms encephalomalacia in the brain.

Triggers

What increases the risk of encephalomalacia?

Many scientists think that this condition occurs due to traumatic brain injury. Blunt trauma, as well as sharp trauma, during an accident or assault can increase the risk of softening of brain tissue.

Head trauma can occur when a hard blow to the head causes the brain to hit the skull. Sharp head trauma can occur when there is an injury caused by a sharp weapon. Brain tissue can even become inflamed as a result of trauma during surgical procedures.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is encephalomalacia diagnosed?

Doctors use different tools to help her diagnose encephalomalacia. If your doctor suspects that you may have this condition, the first step of this process is to examine your body. After that, the doctor will need to do one or more of the following tests:

• MRI is the method most commonly used to detect signs of softening in the brain.
• CT scan of the brain is another diagnostic test that can help.

What are the treatments for encephalomalacia?

There is no sure way to cure this disorder because it is not possible to make the damaged tissue work again. Researchers are still trying to find out whether it is possible to restore normal function to some of the affected brain tissue.

Treatment for this disease primarily includes detection of the underlying cause behind changes in brain consistency and treating them accordingly. In very extreme cases, the damaged brain substance can be surgically removed. However, the consistency of the brain will undergo a considerable change due to the removal of soft brain matter. It is unclear whether changes to brain mobility function will bring sensations back to normal.

Experts are trying to find a use for stem cell therapy to treat this brain disorder.

Prevention

What can I do at home to prevent or treat encephalomalacia?

Until now, it is not known how to prevent this condition. Everyone is expected to take care to avoid a severe blow or blow to the head as this can cause serious head trauma leading to a softening of the brain.

Maintaining a healthy diet and eating lots of foods rich in vitamin E can also help reduce the risk of developing this type of brain deterioration.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.