Barbara Scott, age 14, of Meridian, Miss., for her question:

WHAT EXACTLY IS A CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE?

A cerebral hemorrhage is bleeding that results from a broken blood vessel in the brain. As blood escapes into the brain, it destroys or damages the surrounding tissue. The victim then suffers what is called a stroke.

Doctors tell us that most cerebral hemorrhages are probably caused by arteriosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries.

High blood pressure may lead to a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke by producing weak areas in the arteries or veins of the brain. The weakened areas balloon out from the wall of the blood vessel, forming small sacs called aneurysms. The pressure may burst the blood vessel.

A stroke usually occurs without warning. It can cause unconsciousness and paralyze the limbs.

Cerebral hemorrhages are most common in people over 50, but they can definitely strike persons of any age. Recovery from the stroke usually takes place slowly.