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Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has had emergency surgery after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

But what is a brain haemorrhage, how is it treated and how can people recover?

:: What is a brain haemorrhage?

A brain haemorrhage is bleeding in or around the brain.

The blood forms a mass (haematoma) which increases pressure on the brain and reduces the flow of blood.

The Greek word for blood is haemo so haemorrhage mean "blood bursting forth".

Bleeding can occur inside the brain, between the brain and the membranes that cover it, between the layers of the brain's covering or between the skull and the covering of the brain.

:: What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are sometimes similar to those of a stroke - weakness on one side of the body, feeling numb, severe headache and difficulty speaking or seeing.

Other possible symptoms include seizures where there is no previous history of them, nausea or vomiting, loss of fine motor skills, loss of coordination or balance.

Symptoms may develop suddenly or over time.

Note that many of these symptoms are often caused by conditions other than brain haemorrhages.

:: What are the causes?

Luke Griggs, of the brain injury charity Headway, says one possibility is a ruptured aneurysm (haemorrhagic stroke). This can happen without any apparent trigger.

Another possible cause is a blow to the head, which could vary in severity but is often significant.

Mr Griggs said: "It can be extremely serious and require urgent medical intervention."

High blood pressure can also weaken artery walls, causing them to rupture.

:: How can surgery help?

Surgery is not suitable for every patient and doctors will consider a range of factors, including where in the brain the haemorrhage is.

The aim of surgery is to relieve the pressure on the brain.

Surgeons will try to drain the haematoma, usually by removing parts of the skull or drilling a small hole in it.

They can also repair damaged blood vessels.

Medication can also help reduce the swelling in some cases.

:: What is the likelihood of recovery?

Some people recover completely but this can depend on factors such as the size of the bleed and where it is.

Mr Griggs said: "Every brain injury is unique, as is every individual's recovery."

For those who do survive, full recovery can take months and sometimes rehabilitation is needed to recover speech and physical abilities.

In some cases, brain haemorrhages can be fatal.

:: For more information about brain haemorrhages, see the .