Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a type of haemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding within the brain tissue. It often results in sudden weakness, speech or vision problems, and reduced consciousness. After urgent treatment in an acute hospital, many people benefit from specialist neurorehabilitation to regain function and independence.

At The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we provide consultant-led inpatient neurorehabilitation for adults recovering from ICH once medically stable.

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Symptoms

Call 999 immediately if you notice stroke symptoms. ICH may cause:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Speech or language difficulties
• Severe headache, nausea or vomiting
• Loss of vision or double vision
• Loss of balance, collapse, reduced consciousness
• Seizures in some patients

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Causes And Risk Factors

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (age-related vessel changes)
• Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines or bleeding disorders
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or cavernous malformation
• Head injury
• Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and other vascular risks

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Diagnosis And Acute Care

ICH is diagnosed and treated in an acute hospital, usually with CT or MRI scans and specialist neurology/neurosurgical input. Blood pressure control, reversal of anticoagulation (when appropriate), and management of complications are prioritised. When ongoing difficulties remain, inpatient rehabilitation at Royal Bucks helps continue recovery.

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Possible Complications

• Weakness, impaired coordination and balance
• Aphasia (language), dysarthria (speech) and dysphagia (swallowing)
• Visual field loss or spatial neglect
• Cognitive changes (memory, attention, planning)
• Fatigue, low mood, anxiety
• Spasticity and shoulder pain
• Seizures
• Hydrocephalus in some cases

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Neurorehabilitation At The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

We deliver goal-oriented, multidisciplinary programmes tailored to each person.

Your Programme May Include

Neurophysiotherapy

• Gait re-education, balance and postural stability
• Upper-limb recovery, strength and endurance
• Falls prevention and safe transfers

Occupational Therapy

• Personal care and daily-living independence
• One-handed techniques, fine motor skills, cognitive strategies
• Fatigue management, home/environmental adaptations and equipment

Speech & Language Therapy

• Aphasia therapy (speaking, understanding, reading, writing)
• Dysarthria strategies and voice work
• Swallow assessment with safe-eating guidance

Neuropsychology

• Mood and adjustment support
• Cognitive rehabilitation (attention, memory, executive function)
• Family/carer education and resilience

Spasticity & Tone Management

• Positioning, stretching and splinting; onward medical referral where appropriate

Discharge Planning

• Home exercise plan, equipment recommendations
• Community therapy handover and return-to-work/role guidance (where appropriate)

Explore Stroke Rehabilitation
Visit Our Rehabilitation Centre

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When To Consider Inpatient Rehab

• Ongoing mobility, balance or arm-hand difficulties after acute care
• Communication or swallowing problems limiting independence
• Significant fatigue, cognitive slowing or low confidence
• Need for co-ordinated input from multiple therapy disciplines
• Limited progress with outpatient therapy alone

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Living Well After ICH

• Follow a structured therapy and activity plan with planned rests
• Work with your medical team to optimise blood pressure and vascular risk factors
• Avoid smoking and review alcohol intake
• Maintain sleep, hydration and nutrition
• Involve family/carers in strategies learned during rehabilitation