Brain Aneurysm
Brain Aneurysm
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. It happens when the wall of the blood vessel becomes weak and starts to swell. Most aneurysms are small and don’t cause symptoms—but if they leak or burst, they can cause a serious and life-threatening bleeding in the brain.
Why is it Dangerous?
If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes a type of stroke called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a medical emergency and can lead to:
Sudden, severe headache (often described as “the worst headache ever”)
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Brain damage or death if not treated quickly
Symptoms Before Rupture (if any)
Many aneurysms don’t show symptoms until they rupture. But some might cause:
Headaches
Blurred or double vision
Pain above or behind one eye
Drooping eyelid
Trouble with speech or thinking clearly
How is it Diagnosed?
CT Scan or MRI to look at the brain
Cerebral angiography to see blood vessels in detail
How It’s Treated
Monitoring: For small, unruptured aneurysms that aren’t growing
Surgery:
Clipping (a metal clip to close the aneurysm)
Coiling (placing a coil inside the aneurysm to prevent rupture)
How to Reduce Your Risk
Don’t smoke
Control high blood pressure
Avoid drug use, especially cocaine or amphetamines
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
