Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, underwent emergency brain surgery to address internal bleeding in the brain. According to doctors who treated the influential guru, Sadhguru faced a life-threatening situation. He had ignored severe and persistent headaches for the past four weeks as he wanted to fulfil his prior commitments. Despite the discomfort, he continued with his regular activities until the pain escalated and surgery was non-negotiable.

Sadhguru suffered brain bleeding and swelling

Initial MRI and CT scans showed evidence of chronic bleeding of 3-4 weeks with a fresh bleeding of 24-48 hours duration, as per Dr Vinit Suri, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Hospital. Upon surgery, the team of doctors realised the extent of bleeding and swelling between the Sadhguru’s brain the skull bone.

Post-surgery, Sadhguru is now making steady progress to resume his normal life. In a post-surgery video shared on his Instagram account, Sadhguru humorously remarked, “The Apollo hospital neurosurgeons cut through my skull and tried to find something. But they found nothing…totally empty. They gave up and patched it up. Here I am in Delhi, with a patched-up skull but no damage.”

Check out the video here:

What causes brain bleeding?

One of the most common causes of brain bleeding is a brain hemorrhage (also called an intracranial hemorrhage). It is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds in and around the brain. Bleeding can happen between the brain tissue and the skull or within the brain tissue itself. It’s life-threatening and requires emergency care because it causes pressure on the brain, which even prevents oxygen from getting to the brain’s tissues and cells.

What are the symptoms of brain hemorrhage?

The symptoms of a brain hemorrhage can vary depending on the location and severity of the bleeding. Common signs include:

• Sudden, severe headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Numbness in the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of the body)
• Difficulty speaking
• Vision changes
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

If someone experiences these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention, as a brain hemorrhage can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment to control damage and improve outcomes.

What causes brain haemorrhage?

A brain hemorrhage can result from various factors, including:

• High blood pressure
• Traumatic head injury (from a car accident, falls, sports injuries or bicycle accidents)
• Blood vessel abnormalities like brain aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations
• Certain medical conditions, such as liver disease
• Blood clotting disorders
• Prolonged use of blood-thinning medications or illicit drug abuse
• Age and genetics
• Brain tumour

Apart from this, lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity can further elevate the risk.

Complications of haemorrhage

If not treated on time, a brain hemorrhage can escalate to severe levels, potentially resulting in permanent brain damage or even death. A lack of oxygen and nutrients in the brain can destroy brain cells, preventing them from communicating with other parts of the body. This may affect how your body functions, and you may experience:

• Neurological deficits like paralysis, speech impairment, or cognitive dysfunction
• Memory loss
• Vision loss
• Cognitive decline
• Numbness or weakness in body parts
• Lack of emotional balance
• Personality change
• Difficulty with swallowing, speech, and communication

Diagnosis of brain haemorrhage

The diagnosis of brain haemorrhage typically involves a combination of medical history assessment and neurological examination. In case your doctor suspects a brain bleed is the cause of symptoms, they would suggest imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). These imaging tests help locate and determine the extent of bleeding in the brain.

Treatment of brain hemorrhage

Treatment for brain bleeding varies based on the location and severity of the bleeding. After a few tests, your doctor will focus on stopping the bleeding and managing the cause. This may include:

• Medications to reduce swelling and prevent further bleeding.
• Surgery to remove blood clots or repair damaged blood vessels.

Some brain hemorrhages don’t require surgery. Hence, the decision depends on factors such as the size, cause, and location of the bleed, as well as considerations regarding your overall health.