Brain edema is extra fluid packed into brain tissue, pushing the brain against the skull. Pressure climbs fast and shows early signs anyone can spot.
The first sign is a squeezing headache that feels like your head is in a vise. It is worst when you lie flat or bend over and may wake you from deep sleep.
Vision blurs next. Lights seem too bright, colors wash out, and you see double for a few seconds. Closing one eye does not clear the blur.
Nausea hits hard. You feel seasick without moving and may throw up suddenly, often with no warning.
Thinking slows. You pause mid-sentence, forget why you walked into a room, or mix up today’s date. Family says you seem “far away.”
Balance drifts. Walking a straight line feels like walking on a soft mattress; you touch walls to stay upright.
| Symptom | What You Feel | Quick Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Vise-like, worse when flat | Wakes you at night |
| Eyes | Lights too bright, brief double | Blur stays with one eye shut |
| Stomach | Sudden seasick, fast vomit | No fever or flu |
| Mind | Slow answers, blank stare | Family notices first |
| Legs | Mattress walk, hug wall | Heel-to-toe wobble |