Cristina Fernandez, president of Argentina, has been informed by her doctors that she needs to take a month off due to a subdural hematoma on her brain, reports Reuters.  With important congressional elections taking place later this month, President Fernandez is going out at a difficult time.  Vice President Amado Boudou, who was traveling to France, cut his trip short to return to Argentina and assume the duties of President temporarily.

Fernandez was admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital that specializes in cardiovascular issues on Saturday.  During the visit, doctors found a subdural hematoma, the accumulation of blood under a membrane that covers the brain. It usually occurs after a blow to the head.  It is likely that, because she was discharged without surgery, the hematoma is too small to be drained via surgery and is low risk.

Fernandez was elected to a second term in 2011, building her campaign on the promise that she would increase the government’s role in the economy.  Most recently, Fernandez has said she is not thinking about a possible third term.  However, her supporters continue talks of amending the constitution in order to allow her to run again.  Before going on leave, Fernandez was focused on campaigning for the congressional elections on October 27.  It is possible that the government could lose control of congress, according to recent polls.  If that happens, Fernandez would be unable to push through a constitutional amendment that would allow her to run in 2015 and would also face further obstacles to her desired legislative accomplishments.

According to Medline Plus, subdural hematomas are usually the result of a serious head injury.  These hematomas are called acute subdural hematomas.  Acute subdural hematomas are among the deadliest of all head injuries. The bleeding fills the brain area very rapidly, compressing brain tissue. This often results in brain injury and may lead to death.  Subdural hematomas can also occur after a very minor head injury, especially in the elderly. These may go unnoticed for many days to weeks, and these are called chronic subdural hematomas.  It is also possible for a subdural hematoma to occur without cause and this is called a spontaneous subdural hematoma.

People with a subdural hematoma will likely show symptoms such as confused or slurred speech, difficulty with balance or walking, headaches, lethargy, confusion, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, numbness, seizures, visual disturbances, and weakness.  A subdural hematoma should always be treated as an emergency condition.