All You Need To Know About Brain Aneurysm

Brain Aneurysm, also called Intracranial Aneurysm is a weakness in a blood vessel in the brain that balloons and fills with blood. 

Most intracranial Aneurysms occur between the underside of the brain and the base of the skull. 

The aneurysm can leak or rupture,causing life threatening bleeding. An unruptured aneurysm usually causes no symptoms. A key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm is a sudden,severe headache. 

Brain Aneurysm has a variety of causes including high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, trauma,heridity,and abnormal blood flow at a junction where arteries come together. 

There are other causes of aneurysm. Mycotic aneurysms are caused by infections. 

Patients may describe the "worst headache of their life" which may be associated with nausea,vomiting, stiff neck,and changes in speech and vision. However,the headache complaint needs to be matched with physical findings to be considered a risk factor for a leaking aneurysm. 

TREATMENT

A symptomatic aneurysm can be either treated by cutting the skull open and identifying the damage blood vessel (clipping),or a neurologist to thread a tube through the arteries and fill with coils of Platinum wire(coiling). 

Both options have the risk of damaging the blood vessel and causing more bleeding, damaging the nearby brain tissue, and causing the surrounding blood vessel to go into spasm. Prior,during,and after surgery,attention is paid to protect the brain and its blood vessels from potential further damage. 

SURVIVAL RATES 

Brain aneurysms are deadly. About 10% of patients with rupted aneurysm die before receiving medical care.

 If untreated, another 50% will die within a month, with 20% risk of rebleed by the end of the first two weeks. Aside from the bleeding issues,there is significant risk of artery spasms leading to stroke. 

Survival rates are increased in patients who present early to the hospital. Early diagnosis, aneurysm repair, and control of blood vessel spasms with appropriate medications increases survival. 

For those who survive, an initial aneurysm rupture,blood vessel spasms(vasospasm) may be the villain in causing contained brain damage. 

Patients will probably feel very tired for several weeks after this surgery. They may also have headaches or problems concentrating for 1 to 2 weeks. It can take 4 to 8 weeks to fully recover. 

TIPS TO HELP REDUCE YOUR RISK OF AN ANEURYSM

1. Make Healthy Choices in your diet. 
2. Keep your blood pressure levels in check. 
3. Lower high cholesterol.
4. Make exercising a hobby. 
5. Take steps to reduce and manage stress. 
6. Treat obstructive sleep apnea. 
7. Quit smoking 
8. Avoid certain prescription drugs and all recreational drugs. 
9. Talk to your Doctor about screening tests. 
10. Know the signs of an Aneurysm. 
11. Stick to your treatment plan.