Brain Aneurysm Symptoms – Causes And Treatment
Brain aneurysm is a ballooning or a protuberance in a blood vessel within the brain. An aneurysm resembles a berry on a stem.
An aneurysm may rupture or seep out, resulting in bleeding into the brain. By and large, a ruptured brain aneurysm appears in the area between the meanings (coverings of the brain) and the brain. A brain aneurysm that has ruptured and leaked is life threatening and calls for rapid and timely medical attention.
On the other hand, in general, a majority of the brain aneurysms do not rupture; trigger any health problems; or produce symptoms. Such brain aneurysms are found accidently during investigations for other disorders / illnesses.
What Causes A Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm develops due to the thinning and disintegration of the arterial walls. Generally, they develop at a fork in the artery, in view of the fact that, a fork is comparatively weak. Brain aneurysms are commonly found in the arteries at the base of the brain.
Symptoms of Brain Aneurysm
Symptoms and clinical manifestations of a brain aneurysm depend on whether it is ruptured, un ruptured or leaking.
Ruptured aneurysm:
The principal manifestation of a ruptured brain aneurysm is a sudden, excruciating headache. The characteristic features of ruptured brain aneurysms are:
Extremely severe and sudden headache
Stiffness of the neck
Drooping of the eyelid
Nausea, vomiting
Photophobia
Blurring of vision or double vision
Seizures
Unconsciousness
Confusion
Un-ruptured aneurysm:
An un-ruptured aneurysm may cause no symptoms, especially if it is tiny. On the other hand, a big un-ruptured brain aneurysm impinges up on the brain tissues, and may give rise to the following signs and symptoms:
Pain over and posterior to an eye
Double vision or double vision
A dilated pupil
Weakness, numbness or paralysis of one part of the face
Drooping of the eyelid
Leaking aneurysm:
Occasionally, a brain aneurysm may seep out some amount of blood. This leaking results in severe, sudden headache.
Treatment of a Brain Aneurysm
Surgical clipping: is a technique which closes off the brain aneurysm. A segment of the skull is excised to reach the aneurysm; then a small metal clip is fixed on the neck of the aneurysm to hold back the flow of blood to the aneurysm.
Endo-vascular coiling: is a technique where the surgeon introduces a catheter into an artery, as a rule, in the groin, and will thread it through the body to the brain aneurysm. Using a steer wire to drive a soft platinum wire through the catheter, he will insert it into the brain aneurysm. This platinum wire will coil within the aneurysm, suspend the flow of blood and cause a blood clot. Clotting seals the aneurysm.
Pain relievers: are prescribed to effectively deal with headaches.
Calcium channel blockers: check the entry of calcium in to the arterial walls. Hence, they lessen the occurrence of vaso-spasm.
Vaso-pressors: help avert the occurrence of stroke.
Angioplasty: also prevents the occurrence of stroke.
Anti seizure medicines: are administered to cope with convulsions that are linked to the ruptured aneurysm.
Shunt surgery: this procedure diminishes the pressure on the brain, occurring because of additional cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to a ruptured aneurysm.
Rehabilitative therapy: sub-arachnoid hemorrhage can cause a lot of brain damage; and this will call for speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
The prognosis of a ruptured brain aneurysm is to a certain extent poor. Complications tend to arise. If the pressure rises markedly, the supply of oxygen to the brain tissues gets encumbered, thereby, resulting in unconsciousness, and even death.