Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Can Happen Anywhere Even Survival Can Mean Serious Aftereffects
It Can Happen at Drinking Parties or Even at Home
An incident that occurred the day before a match at the combat sports event “Breaking Down,” after the weigh-in, has sent shockwaves through the public. The incident took place during a pre-fight scene that has become a hallmark of the event—trash talk and scuffles between fighters. During a face-off after the weigh-in, a fighter was unexpectedly slapped, lost consciousness, and collapsed. At the hospital, the diagnosis was subarachnoid hemorrhage.
This did not happen during a match, nor was any weapon used. A single open-handed slap, followed immediately by a fall, led to an irreversible situation.
This incident is not limited to the world of combat sports. As year-end and New Year gatherings increase—bringing more drinking occasions such as year-end and New Year parties—the same danger lurks in everyday situations: minor arguments, verbal disputes, or light physical altercations. Dr. Satoshi Ozaki, neurosurgeon and director of Ebina Neurosurgical Clinic, issues a warning.
“A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a condition in which bleeding occurs between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater that cover the surface of the brain. Because the leaked blood rapidly spreads around the brain, it causes sudden, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, and vomiting. It is commonly known to be caused by the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm, but it can also occur due to trauma—namely, impacts from being struck or from falling.”
When a person collapses while unconscious or concussed, they cannot break their fall, often resulting in a strong impact to the back or side of the head.
“In many cases, it’s not the impact of the blow itself, but the severe blow to the head when falling that causes traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. When someone loses consciousness, reflexes do not function. The person hits their head directly, and the brain is violently shaken inside the skull. That shock can tear small blood vessels, causing bleeding. This isn’t limited to combat sports—the same conditions exist in fights at drinking parties, street altercations, or even pushing matches within the home.”
Even If One Survives, They May Suffer from Lasting Aftereffects
What is particularly dangerous are cases where after hitting the head, consciousness temporarily returns and no obvious symptoms are seen. Because the person appears able to talk and walk, both those around them and the individual themselves tend to feel reassured.
“What makes subarachnoid hemorrhage so frightening is that it may not appear to be a serious injury immediately. Even if someone looks normal at the scene, there are cases where their condition rapidly worsens hours later. Especially when alcohol is involved, headaches or dizziness can overlap with intoxication, making abnormalities easy to miss. This delay in judgment can become fatal.”
After hitting the head, a person lies down and falls asleep—or those around them decide, “They’re probably just sleeping,” and leave them alone. This can sometimes be deadly.
“After a head injury, it can be difficult to tell whether someone is simply asleep or whether their level of consciousness has declined. During that time, bleeding inside the brain may be progressing, and decisions such as let’s wait until morning or let them rest for a bit can make an irreversible difference.”
If even one of the following symptoms appears, immediate emergency medical attention is necessary:
A severe headache unlike anything previously experienced
Repeated nausea or vomiting
Clouded or unclear consciousness
Slurred speech
Difficulty moving one side of the body
“At the hospital, the first step is to check for bleeding with a CT scan. In cases of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, treatment generally involves rest and observation. However, if there are complications such as an acute subdural hematoma or cerebral contusion in addition to subarachnoid hemorrhage, open brain surgery may be required.”
Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, including subarachnoid hemorrhage, is a condition in which lasting aftereffects often remain even if the patient survives.
“Symptoms such as impaired memory and concentration, or difficulty controlling emotions, may occur, and there are many cases in which people are unable to return to work or their normal daily lives. Even when caused by trauma, the severity does not change. Once subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs, it is a disease that can completely alter a person’s life.
Even a momentary lapse—an argument taken lightly, a single slap, one fall—can change a life. I want people to truly understand this reality.”
As the year-end and New Year period approaches, when emotions and alcohol can take over in an instant, whether one can stop themselves through reason may be the dividing line between life and death.