Taichung Vendor Suddenly Loses Limb Strength, Diagnosed with Subacute Brain Hemorrhage

According to a report by Central News Agency, a fruit vendor in Taichung City suddenly lost strength in his left limbs while preparing for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival rush in mid-May. While moving heavy gift boxes, he experienced sudden weakness on his left side. Initially attributing it to fatigue, he expected rest would resolve the issue. However, symptoms persisted for two days without improvement, and he found himself unable to grip items with his left hand, prompting fears of a stroke and an emergency hospital visit.

Dr. Chen Dian-Ting, Director of Neurosurgery at Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, explained that CT scans revealed the condition was not spontaneous stroke but 'subacute brain hemorrhage.' This medical condition occurs when slow bleeding develops days to weeks after head trauma, gradually accumulating blood clots that compress motor nerves and cause neurological symptoms.

The medical team promptly performed an emergency drainage surgery to remove the hematoma pressing on the brain. After one week of hospitalization, the patient recovered well and was discharged. Outpatient follow-ups confirmed no lasting damage to his left motor nerves, allowing him to return to his market stall just in time for the Dragon Boat Festival gift-giving season.

Dr. Chen noted that within the past three months, three similar cases have been identified. The other two patients had histories of head trauma from traffic accidents and falls. Initial scans at the time of injury showed no bleeding, but symptoms such as limb weakness emerged about two months later, leading to diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.

Subacute or chronic brain hemorrhages are mostly caused by trauma, with slow bleeding progression, making symptoms less sudden and severe than spontaneous hemorrhagic strokes. To prevent permanent nerve damage from prolonged compression, Dr. Chen emphasized the importance of immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur:

- Sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty gripping with one side of the body - Confusion, slowed response, or memory decline - Sudden slurred speech, difficulty expressing oneself, or inability to speak normally

He particularly urged individuals with a history of head injuries to remain vigilant and seek early medical evaluation to ensure safety.