What is brain bleed and how does it cause a stroke like the one Jamie Foxx experienced?

Jamie Foxx, an actor and Grammy winner, shared details about a nearly fatal medical emergency he experienced.

In his Netflix comedy special, "Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was," Foxx disclosed that he experienced a brain bleed in April 2023, which caused him to be in a coma for several weeks.

""April 11, I had a bad headache and asked my boy for aspirin. However, before I could get the aspirin, I went out and don't remember the next 20 days," Foxx stated."

A stroke was caused by a brain bleed, which prompted surgery for Foxx.

According to reports, Foxx's doctor at Piedmont Hospital stated, "I must operate on his head immediately or we will lose him."

On May 4, I woke up in a wheelchair and couldn't walk.

With the support of his family and faith, Foxx miraculously recovered from his ailment over time.

The actor, three months after privately dealing with his "medical complication," publicly admitted to going through "hell and back" in an Instagram video.

What is a brain bleed?

Dr. Paul Saphier, M.D., a neurosurgeon and founder of Coaxial Neurosurgical Specialists in New Jersey, stated that Foxx's experience was not a joke.

Saphier discussed the risks of hemorrhagic strokes, which make up 10% to 15% of all strokes, with Planet Chronicle Digital.

The condition affects approximately 70,000 to 80,000 U.S. patients per year.

According to Cleveland Clinic, a brain bleed results in blood accumulation between the brain and skull, impeding oxygen supply to the brain.

A sudden, severe headache is the initial symptom of a brain bleed, which may also manifest as nausea and vomiting, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, sleepiness, and lack of energy.

Cleveland Clinic states that some potential causes of a brain bleed include head trauma, blood clots, a weak spot in a blood vessel, a brain tumor, and other abnormal occurrences.

Saphier stated that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and age can also cause them.

Additionally, these bleeds may be linked to blood vessel problems, including brain aneurysms and vascular malformations, as he mentioned.

Saphier advocates for a heart-healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of brain bleeds.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association suggest that patients with a family history of intracranial hemorrhages should undergo screening for brain aneurysms and vascular malformations to detect and prevent them early.

Quick treatment is essential

According to Saphier, approximately 55% of patients with a "spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage" survive.

Two-thirds of stroke survivors do not return to their pre-stroke condition.

If a brain bleed is not promptly addressed, it can result in irreversible harm, such as memory loss, difficulty swallowing and speaking, coordination problems, numbness or weakness in body parts, vision loss, and emotional changes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland Clinic advises managing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly to minimize the risk of brain bleeding.

Saphier advised that any lifestyle activities that are beneficial for the heart are also beneficial for the brain and its blood vessels.

Discussing a strong family history of brain aneurysms or intracranial hemorrhages with a primary care doctor is important for those who may be candidates for brain aneurysm screening and prevention, as advised.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.