What is the treatment for haemorrhagic stroke?

• A. Relief of intracranial pressure using medications or surgical interventions such as stents.
• B. Antibiotic therapy
• C. Corticosteroids only
• D. Physical therapy alone

Answer: (A)

Relief of intracranial pressure is the immediate priority in hemorrhagic stroke because the accumulating blood and swelling raise pressure inside the skull, reducing blood flow to brain tissue and risking herniation. This is addressed with medications such as mannitol or hypertonic saline to draw fluid out of the brain and with surgical measures to remove the hematoma or drain excess cerebrospinal fluid, including procedures like external ventricular drainage or decompressive surgery when needed. If the bleeding source is vascular, endovascular treatments – including stents or other vessel-protecting interventions – may help stop further bleeding and stabilize the patient, which also helps control pressure. The overarching goal is to stabilize the patient and minimize brain injury, not to treat infection or rely on rehabilitation alone. Antibiotics are not the primary treatment for a stroke unless an infection is present; corticosteroids alone have not demonstrated benefit in hemorrhagic stroke; and physical therapy is part of recovery after stabilization, not the acute management.