What You Need to Know About Brain Aneurysms?

Dr.Amit Srivastava, 5 mins read

An aneurysm in the brain, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a weak point within a cerebral artery. The weak spot causes an inflatable balloon that is filled with blood.

The walls surrounding the artery become weak near an aneurysm meaning that the ruptured aneurysm could break or even rupture. An aneurysm that ruptures is life-threatening and could result in serious brain injuries or strokes. But it is not the case that all aneurysms break.

Patients with an aneurysm might require regular surveillance to ensure it isn't expanding. The doctor might need to eliminate a larger aneurysm.

The article below will present an overview of the brain aneurysm, focusing on the different kinds and symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Signs and symptoms

Aneurysms in the brain are unpredictable and might not exhibit signs until they get larger or rupture. Aneurysms that are ruptured or large generally show signs of rupture and will require urgent medical attention/ surgical attention.

The signs and symptoms of a brain aneurysm differ depending on whether it's been ruptured or has not.

Aneurysms with no rupture

Aneurysms of small size don't usually trigger any noticeable symptoms. An aneurysm that grows in size may pressure the surrounding tissues and nerves, which can cause signs.

It is estimated that 10% to 15% of aneurysms that are not ruptured cause symptoms. In the event of an occurrence, the symptoms associated with an inoperable brain aneurysm could be:

• Numbness or weakness that affects the face on one side
• Headache or pain in the area above or behind the eyes
• A pupil that is dilates
• Double vision or blurred

Consult your physician as soon as possible if you have one of the symptoms listed above.

Aneurysms that leak.

An aneurysm is a possibility to rupture and release a tiny amount of blood into the brain. If you've got an aneurysm in the brain that's leaky, you experience an intense, sudden headache. It's known as the sentinel headache.

Sentinel headaches could appear within the weeks or days before a brain aneurysm ruptures. If you suffer from a sudden, severe headache, especially in conjunction with other signs of aneurysms, you should take immediate medical attention.

Aneurysms ruptured

The signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm may be:

• Neck stiffness
• A sudden, severe headache that can be the most painful you've ever experienced
• The sensitivity to light
• Double or blurry vision
• Difficulty speaking or a shift in mental or physical state
• a drooping eyelid
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty walking or dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

Sometimes large size aneurysms in which the patient complains of regular headache, Mood disorder may present with episodes of ischemic stroke or TIA. This patient, complains of episodes of sudden Numbness / Tingling / Weakness of limbs or faces, or sometimes there is permanent loss of power of limb and facial asymmetry and when such patient is investigated then get unruptured aneurysms are detected on MRI, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) and DSA, etc.

A ruptured aneurysm can be life-threatening. Make sure you seek medical attention when you experience any of these signs.

The Reasons

Someone could be at risk for a brain aneurysm in the event of having relatives who have had one.

Aneurysms of the brain are more frequent in females than males and are more likely to cause problems for people between the ages of 30 and 60. Additionally, lifestyle and genetic factors which weaken the walls of blood vessels can greatly increase the risk of an aneurysm.

The risk causes for Brain Aneurysms comprise:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• A family member, like parents, children, or sibling, who suffers from an aneurysm
• Genetic disorders that cause blood vessels to weaken, including polycystic renal disease, certain connective tissue diseases, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
• Addiction to drugs, specifically those that cause high blood pressure, like amphetamines and cocaine
• A brain tumor
• Smoking
• The arteries are prone to infections – especially fungal infections.
• A head injury – sharp injury to the blood vessels of the brain can cause aneurysm formation

Treatment

The treatment for a brain aneurysm can differ based on a variety of aspects, such as:

• Your general health and age
• The size and location of the aneurysm.
• Whether the aneurysm has a chance of a rupture or ruptured
• Your medical and personal background

Smaller aneurysms that aren't ruptured and do have a risk to rupture if they are detected before rupture during the investigation of complaining other problems are persistent Mild/ Moderate headache, migraines headache then the physician should immediately refer a such patient to a neurosurgeon for expert opinion and the anterior circulation aneurysms incidental should not be left unmanaged and to wait for rupture in any case

If treatment is required, it may involve both methods of lifestyle or surgery.

Surgery

Surgery to treat an aneurysm involves an operation on the brain. The operation is done with general anesthesia. The procedure typically will require a patient to stay some time in the hospital. It may be necessary to shave off the head of the patient. In the surgical procedure, the surgeon cuts the aneurysm to stop blood from entering it.

Endovascular procedure

In an endovascular procedure, surgeons insert a catheter into the groin and then guide it through the aneurysm. After that, they seal the aneurysm with metal or stent coils to direct the blood flow. The procedure will stop blood from flowing into the aneurysm, preventing rupture.

Flow diverters

Another newer option for treating aneurysms in the brain is an installation of a flow diverter. The devices are similar to stents used to treat obstructions of the arteries in the heart.

Flow diverters are a good option in cases where an aneurysm is big or can't be addressed with the surgical methods discussed in the previous paragraphs. Like endovascular coiling, an artery diverter is less invasive than other procedures, such as surgical clipping.

To insert the flow diverter, your doctor will insert an artery with a catheter within your groin and thread it through the region that is the site of an aneurysm. Once the catheter is in place, the flow diverter is placed within the artery where the aneurysm was formed.

Once installed, the flow diverter functions to divert flow away from aneurysms. This prevents it from expanding or breaking. Flow diverters are typically efficient and safe for treating brain aneurysms.

Lifestyle shifts

A few lifestyle modifications can assist in managing aneurysms and stop them from rupturing. The changes you can make include:

• Eating a balanced and healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Controlling your weight if you are obese or overweight
• Regular exercise, however, not too much
• Taking steps to reduce high blood pressure
• Beware of using drugs such as amphetamines or cocaine
• Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake

Conclusion

An aneurysm in the brain occurs when the artery wall within the brain is stretched, typically due to weakening or thinning. The arterial wall expands and then fills with blood. If an aneurysm ruptures, it could cause dangerous bleeding inside the brain.

It's crucial to keep an eye on the warning symptoms of a brain aneurysm, especially if you're suffering from any risk factors. If you're experiencing warning signs consistent with the possibility of a brain aneurysm, you should consult your doctor immediately.

In certain instances, an unruptured brain aneurysm could be treated with monitors and lifestyle adjustments. However, more severe brain aneurysms or ones at an increased risk of rupture should be treated immediately after they are discovered.

Brain aneurysms that rupture or leak are medical emergencies requiring skilled doctors' assistance to achieve the best result.

Also, Read: What to do in case of sudden brain stroke?