The treatment for apoplexy may vary, depending upon the severity and the associated symptoms. Some physicians prefer to treat the apoplectic patient with medications. Corticosteroids or other steroid drugs may be used to reduce the associated inflammation. There are also forms of hormone therapy that work for certain individuals who have been diagnosed with apoplexy. In some cases, the best option would be surgery to remove a mass.
Pituitary apoplexy treatment may involve replenishing levels of electrolytes and hormones produced by the body's pituitary glands. If this doesn't correct the problem, the physician may recommend a course of corticosteroid medication. Other options may be growth hormone replacement therapy, radioactive iodine therapy, or endocrinologic therapy. The use of bromocriptine may also be beneficial in treating some patients with pituitary apoplexy.
If the patient has a tumor causing apoplexy, doctors typically remove the mass. If not treated promptly, a tumor on the pituitary gland may put the patient at a risk for blindness. This is due to the close proximity of the optic or cranial nerve, directly related to a person's vision. Increased pressure on this nerve may lead to disturbances in vision or total blindness.
A serious medical condition known as cerebral apoplexy is typically caused by stroke or other trauma to the brain. Treatment for cerebral apoplexy may include the use of medications along with low doses of oxygen. Muscle relaxants may be used in conjunction with the hyperventilation method.
When bleeding, either into the brain or originating from another organ, renders the patient unconscious or paralyzed, immediate measures must be taken. Delay in treatment could result in loss of life. The first measure in emergency treatment is to stabilize the patient.
In cases of functional apoplexy, where the patient experiences mild symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or confusion, diagnostic tests will be needed. These symptoms could indicate other conditions or disease, which is why an exact diagnosis is needed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will show detailed images of the brain, enabling the doctor to see what areas have been afflicted by the apoplectic attack.
Unlike traditional methods for treating various types of apoplexy, homeopathic treatments may be an option for some individuals. Some homeopathic doctors use the drug opium to treat a apoplectic seizure, as there has been incidence of this drug helping to control bleeding within the brain. Another homeopathic remedy for treating associated hemorrhaging is the use of ipecacuanha. It should be noted, however, that these unconventional forms of treatment should be done strictly under a physician's supervision.
