What Is an Aneurysm of the Brain?

An aneurysm is a serious disease that often appears as a formation in the wall of an artery. This formation can rupture at any time and blood will enter the affected part. The disease can develop anywhere in your body, but the most common cases are in the brain.

If an aneurysm ruptures in the body, it most often leads to death. The symptomatology of the disease varies according to the size of the neoplasm and/or its location. However, the most common symptoms are:

 

• Severe pain in the head.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Double vision.
• Strong reaction to light.
• Increased weakness on only one side of the body.
• Convulsions.
• Problems with speech.
• Rejection of speech.

 

If at least one of these symptoms can be observed in you or your loved ones, this is a serious reason to consult a doctor. Properly recognizing and knowing the symptoms of an aneurysm in the brain can save your or someone else’s life. In addition, if you have any questions about this disease, it is best for you to immediately ask your doctor about it.

 

How Do People Get a Brain Aneurysm?

In each disease, it is important to understand how the disease is caused. This helps, if not completely prevent the disease, then at least slow it down for a while. During this time, doctors can provide you with better or alternative treatments that can save your life.

So, most cases of an aneurysm in the head are due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. Most often, doctors associate vascular weakness with:

 

• Violations in the body that could arise due to hereditary changes in the protein that is in the composition of this vessel.
• Infectious diseases.
• Neoplasms.
• Trauma.
• Drugs.
• Consolidation of arteries.
• High blood pressure.

 

In addition, there are cases where the cause of the disease may remain unknown.

 

What Are the Risk Factors for Brain Aneurysms?

The following factors may increase your risk for brain damage:

• Age: Aneurysms of the brain are more common in adults over age 40.
• Family history: If you have a family member with a brain aneurysm, you are at higher risk for developing one.
• Smoking: Smoking increases your risk for a brain aneurysm.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for brain aneurysms.
• Alcohol abuse: Alcohol abuse can damage the blood vessels and increase your risk for a brain aneurysm.

As you can see, in some cases, people get this disease due to neglect of a healthy lifestyle. As is known – everything is poison, everything is a medicine; both determine the dose.

Therefore, the essential thing not to get this deadly disease is to sleep better, eat right, play light sports to keep your body in order and not overdo it with alcohol or other substances.

 

What Are the First Signs of an Aneurysm Brain?

The first signs are the most important in the case of an aneurysm in the brain. Your life literally depends on determining the correct first signs since the mortality rate for an aneurysm attack is exceptionally high.

The first signs of an aneurysm brain may be:

• A sudden, severe headache is different from any other headache you have had.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• A stiff neck.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Seizures.

 

What Are the Common Symptoms of Aneurysms in the Brain?

The most common symptom of an aneurysm is a headache. The pain is usually severe and sudden and is often described as a “thunderclap” headache. Other symptoms may include:

 

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stiffness in the neck.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Sensitiveness to light.
• Seizures.
• Drowsiness.
• Weakness or numbness in the arm, leg, or face.

 

Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the brain but most commonly occur in the arteries at the base of the brain. These aneurysms are known as cerebral aneurysms.

Cerebral aneurysms are often caused by a weakness in the artery’s wall. This weakness can be present at birth (congenital) or may develop over time.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have any of these symptoms. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency. 

 

What Are the Complications of a Brain Aneurysm?

Complications of a brain aneurysm may include:

• Aneurysm rebleeding: If an aneurysm ruptures, it can bleed again. This is called an aneurysm rebleed. 
• Aneurysm growth: An aneurysm can grow larger over time. This increases the risk of rupture.
• Ischemic stroke: If an aneurysm presses on nearby arteries, it can block blood flow and cause a stroke.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: If an aneurysm ruptures, it bleeds into the space around the brain. This is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A subarachnoid hemorrhage can cause a stroke.
• Vasospasm: This is a narrowing of the arteries. It can happen after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Vasospasm can reduce blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.

 

How Aneurysms Can Be Classified?

For a complete picture of your particular case, you should understand what type of aneurysm people can experience. For this, there is a special classification of the disease.

Aneurysms are classified according to their size and location. The most common types of aneurysms are:

• Cerebral aneurysm: This is an aneurysm of the brain.
• Intracranial aneurysm: This is an aneurysm in the space around the brain.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This is bleeding into the space around the brain. It can happen if an aneurysm ruptures.
• Aortic aneurysm: An aneurysm in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from your heart to your body.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm: This is an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta, the section of the aorta that runs through your abdomen.

 

What Are the Brain Aneurysm’s Long-Term Effects?

The long-term effects of brain damage depend on the aneurysm’s size and location and whether it has ruptured. 

Persistent difficulties with concentration, memory, or cognition (such as speech processing, organizational skills, concentration, decision making, and higher-level thinking skills) can be a problem. Survivors should seek an assessment from a neuropsychologist or speech pathologist to determine their level of cognition, life skills, and related problems during daily activities.

Some may experience the following brain aneurysm’s long-term effects:

• Physical and mental fatigue.
• Chronic headache or headache (mostly from a ruptured aneurysm).
• Concentration headaches.
• Visual impairment: partial or total blindness or peripheral vision impairment.
• Cognitive problems (e.g., difficulty with short-term memory, decreased concentration, problems with perception).
• Problems with articulation and speech.
• Behavioral changes.
• Loss of balance and coordination.
• Weakness of an arm or leg.

 

How Is a Brain Aneurysm Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They will do a physical exam. You may also have one or more of the following tests:

• CT scan: This test uses X-rays and computers to create 3D images of your brain. – MRI: This test uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain.
• Cerebral angiography: This test uses an X-ray and a special dye to see the blood vessels in your brain.
• Brain aneurysm coiling: This is a type of endovascular surgery. A small, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery in your leg. The catheter is then passed through the arteries to the aneurysm in your brain. Once the catheter is in place, coils are placed into the aneurysm. These coils block off blood flow to the aneurysm and prevent it from rupturing.

A correctly diagnosed doctor can alleviate your condition and save your life in the event of an unforeseen attack or other situation.

 

That is why you should be as sincere as possible when communicating with a doctor and answer all questions honestly. To make the diagnosis even more accurate, you can write down everything that you feel throughout the day for some time and tell the doctor about it. This will help create a more accurate epicrisis.

 

What Is the Treatment for an Aneurysm?

The treatment for a brain aneurysm depends on the size and location of the aneurysm, your age and health, and whether the aneurysm has ruptured. Treatment options include:

• Endovascular surgery: This type of surgery is done through the blood vessels. A small, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery in your leg. The catheter is then passed through the arteries to the aneurysm in your brain. Once the catheter is in place, coils are placed into the aneurysm. These coils block blood flow to the aneurysm and prevent it from rupturing.
• Surgical clipping: This type of surgery is done through an incision in your skull. The surgeon will place a metal clip on the aneurysm to block off blood flow to it.
• Observation: If you have a small aneurysm that has not ruptured, you may be monitored with regular imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans.

 

What Is the Outlook for People With a Brain Aneurysm?

The prognosis for people with brain aneurysms is determined by the aneurysm’s size and location, age and health, and whether the aneurysm has ruptured. A ruptured aneurysm can result in a stroke.

An aneurysm rupture is a medical emergency. The earlier you receive treatment, the better your chances of recovery.

If you have a small aneurysm in the head that hasn’t burst, you will probably get regular MRI, or CT scans to keep an eye on it. Surgery might be required to treat an aneurysm if it is particularly large or if it has already ruptured. A brain aneurysm can be successfully treated surgically. However, serious side effects, including paralysis and stroke, are possible.

Controlling high blood pressure and quitting smoking can help prevent a brain aneurysm. If you have a family history of aneurysms in the brain, you may be able to reduce your risk by having regular MRI, or CT scans to check for aneurysms.

 

Bottom Line 

A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain, like a balloon. Aneurysms can happen in any blood vessel, but they usually happen in the aorta, which is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

In most cases, brain aneurysms are completely harmless and have no discernible symptoms. However, if an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause brain bleeding ( stroke with bleeding ) . This can cause serious health problems like seizures, paralysis, and even death. If you have any signs or symptoms of a brain aneurysm, it is crucial that you see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

And to receive high-quality, timely, and effective treatment and therapy, you can contact our clinic for help. To do this, fill out the form on our website, call by phone or use the button to contact us. After contacting our clinic, our manager will contact you and provide all the necessary information to improve your condition.

 

FAQs

• How serious is an aneurysm on the brain?

A bulging aneurysm can compress nerves or brain tissue. It may also burst or rupture, allowing blood to spill into surrounding tissue (called a hemorrhage). A ruptured aneurysm can result in serious health complications such as hemorrhagic stroke, brain damage, coma, and even death.

• What is the main cause of a brain aneurysm?

Aneurysms in the brain are mainly caused by a weakness in the blood vessel walls.

• What are the chances of surviving a brain aneurysm?

Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in approximately 50% of cases. Approximately 66% of those who survive have some permanent neurological deficit. Approximately 15% of people with a ruptured aneurysm die before reaching the hospital. 

• How long can you live with an aneurysm in your brain?

75% of people with a ruptured brain aneurysm survive for more than 24 hours. However, one-quarter of the survivors may face life-threatening complications within six months.