Brain aneurysms may rarely cause any warning symptoms before they rupture. Symptoms may occur if the aneurysm is large or if it causes pressure on the structures, such as nerves or meninges (the three-layered covering over the brain), around it. Though most of the aneurysms do not rupture, the warning symptoms of unruptured aneurysms must be taken seriously and immediate medical help must be sought. These warning symptoms include:
- Vision problems such as blurred vision, loss of vision or double vision
- Headache
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Pain around or above the eyes
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Weakness of any part of the body
- Difficulty in balancing
- Speech problems
- Difficulty in focus or concentration
- Memory issues
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also called intracranial or cerebral aneurysm, is an abnormal swelling or bulge in the walls of a blood vessel in the brain. It is caused by an area of weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. Usually, it occurs at the site where the blood vessel branches. When blood flows through such a weak blood vessel, the blood pressure causes the area to bulge like a balloon. The pressure may cause rupture of the aneurysm leading to an extremely serious condition known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency and may manifest as:
- A sudden and severe headache which the person often describes as the worst headache of their life
- Nausea/vomiting
- Neck stiffness
- Seizure (convulsion)
- Blurred or double vision
- Intolerance to light
- Confusion
- Weakness or numbness
- Loss of consciousness
What are the risk factors for brain aneurysm?
Many risk factors contribute to the formation of aneurysms, such as:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Age (over 40 years)
- Family history of brain aneurysms (familial aneurysms)
- Gender: women have a higher risk of aneurysms than men
- Race: people of color have a greater risk of ruptured aneurysms
- Certain chronic conditions such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), Marfan’s syndrome, and fibromuscular dysplasia
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the brain: AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation.
- Inborn abnormality in the artery
- Drug abuse especially cocaine use
- Excessive alcohol use
- Infections
- Severe head injury
SLIDESHOW
Brain Food Pictures: What to Eat to Boost Focus See SlideshowWhat is the treatment for a brain aneurysm?
Advances in medical science and technology have provided various treatment options for brain aneurysms. The treatment option which is best for a person depends on:
- The patient’s neurological condition
- The patient’s general health and presence of other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and heart diseases
- The patient’s age
- The location, size and shape of the aneurysm
- Whether the aneurysm is ruptured or not
- The risk of aneurysm rupture
- The availability of treatment options
- Family history of aneurysm
- Family history of subarachnoid hemorrhage
The treatment options for brain aneurysms are:
- Open surgery (clipping): Clipping is a popular surgical method for treating a brain aneurysm. In this procedure, the surgeon exposes the aneurysm with a craniotomy (surgically opening the skull) and places a tiny metal clip across the base of the aneurysm so that blood cannot enter it.
- Endovascular therapy: The term endovascular means within the blood vessels or vascular system. Endovascular therapy requires a small incision to repair the aneurysm using coils, stents or flow diversion device
- No treatment: Most of the brain aneurysms do not rupture. The doctor may advise observation, with control of risk factors, such as smoking and high blood pressure. They may advise to repeat imaging from time to time.
References
https://www.medicinenet.com/brain_aneurysm/article.htm
https://bafound.org/treatment/
https://bafound.org/treatment/
Complete List
Top Brain Aneurysm Warning Signs Related Articles
Aneurysm vs Stroke: Which Is Worse?
What is the difference between an aneurysm and a stroke?
ataluren
Ataluren is an investigational drug used to delay disease progression in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. The medication is not yet approved by the FDA and is not available in the U.S. Common side effects of ataluren include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, gas (flatulence), abdominal discomfort, constipation, decrease in appetite, increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood, fever (pyrexia), ear infection, red rash (erythematous rash), feeling unwell (malaise), weight loss, high blood pressure (hypertension), and others.
Brain Aneurysm
A brain aneurysm (cerebral aneurysm) is caused by microscopic damage to artery walls, infections of the artery walls, tumors, trauma, and drug abuse. Symptoms include headache, numbness of the face, dilated pupils, changes in vision, the "worst headache of your life," or a painful stiff neck. Immediate treatment for a brain aneurysm is crucial for patient survival.
10 Facts About the Amazing Brain Quiz
Take this brain quiz to learn about your amazing brain! It's the most complex part of your body, and is responsible for many functions, including how you behave!
Can Aneurysms Be Treated?
An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens. Learn what medical treatments can help treat your aneurysm and help you manage this condition.
Can You Heal a Damaged Brain?
Brain damage can be caused either by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI). You cannot heal a damaged brain. Medical treatments can just help to stop further damage and limit the functional loss from the damage.Emflaza (deflazacort)
Emflaza (deflazacort) is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Serious side effects of Emflaza include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; mood changes, eye pain, excess thirst, increased appetite, increased urination, tiredness, blurry vision, and others.
How Conditions Change Your Brain
The brain doesn’t always stay the same. Mental disorders, health issues, and lifestyle habits can alter the way it looks and works.
Is Having a Chiari Malformation Life-Threatening?
Chiari malformation symptoms include vomiting, muscle weakness in the head and face, difficulty swallowing, varying degrees of mental impairment, headache, neck pain, progressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine), difficulty with balance and coordination, and others. It can be life threatening if it affects the mouth and throat.primidone
Primidone is an anticonvulsant medication used alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs to control certain types of epileptic seizures by reducing the frequency and intensity of seizures. Common side effects of primidone include vertigo, impaired coordination/balance/speech (ataxia), abnormal skin sensations (paresthesia), and difficulty with speech or slurred speech (dysarthria). Consult your doctor before taking primidone if pregnant or breastfeeding.selumetinib (Koselugo)
Selumetinib (Koselugo) is a prescription medication used to treat children 2 years of age and older diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and have plexiform neurofibromas that cannot be completely removed by surgery. Serious side effects include heart problems, eye problems, severe diarrhea, skin rash, and muscle problems.
Stroke vs Aneurysm (Differences and Similarities)
A stroke or "brain attack" is caused because blood flow to an area of the brain has been cut off by a blood clot or by a weakened or damaged blood vessel (for example, head trauma). The damaged area of the brain dies, which results in loss of function like speech capabilities, muscle movement, or muscles of an extremity like an arm or leg is reduced or lost completely. An aneurysm is a weakness in an artery wall. This weakness in the wall causes the artery to widen or balloon out, and then they rupture or break open.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medications
Traumatic brain injury and related conditions, may require diuretics, anticonvulsants, sedatives, antidepressants, muscle relaxers, pain relievers, and stimulants to treat deficits in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, learning and language.
What Are the Causes of a Headache Behind the Eyes?
A headache behind the eyes is an uncomfortable sensation that is felt around or on the back of the eye, which may or may not be a throbbing ache. Causes of headaches behind the eyes include tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, occipital neuralgia, brain aneurysm, Grave's disease, scleritis, dry eyes, vision problems, eye strain and poor posture.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anoxia?
Anoxia occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. Learn the signs and symptoms of anoxia, its uses, how doctors diagnose it, and your options for treatment.What Are the Warning Signs of an Aneurysm?
What is an aneurysm, and how do you know if you have one? An aneurysm, which occurs when blood vessels swell, can be dangerous or even fatal if it ruptures. Learn the signs of an aneurysm, what causes them, how doctors diagnose them, and what you can do if you think you may have an aneurysm.
What Does a CT Head Scan Show?
A computerized axial tomography (CAT) or computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a series of X-rays taken at different angles to produce a detailed image of the head and brain. A CT scan is done to study the patient’s skull, brain, jaw, sinuses, and facial bones, and to investigate tumors, head injuries, aneurysms, and other conditions.