Brain aneurysms are a common type of stroke, and they’re caused by a rupture in one of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. These ruptures often happen as a result of a burst of blood from a benign tumor, an injury, or a congenital condition. As blood flow to the brain is interrupted, cells in the brain are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to damage and death. If you or someone you know is at risk for a brain aneurysm, it’s important to get screened as soon as possible.
If a brain aneurysm happens, you feel a sudden sharp pain, usually on one side of the head or the back of the head. Then a strange feeling starts to spread through your body. Sometimes people become confused or lose their vision. In some cases, a person can die from a brain aneurysm without knowing it.
Brain aneurysms usually form when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing a bulge in the wall of the vessel. The bulge weakens the wall of the vessel and causes it to leak blood. This weak spot is called a “fistula,” and it’s what causes the blood to flow in the wrong direction. The problem with this leaking blood is that it can damage surrounding tissue and cause symptoms.
The most common symptom is a headache. A headache can be anywhere, but it tends to be worse on the side of the brain that’s experiencing the aneurysm. There may be a loss of consciousness, or there may be a loss of memory.
What are brain aneurysms?
Brain aneurysms are a condition in which a weakened area of a blood vessel in the brain balloons out and fills with blood. This can cause severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If the aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to a stroke or death. Treatment options include surgery or medication to try to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing.
How do brain aneurysms form?
A brain aneurysm is a swelling in one of the blood vessels that feed the brain. This can be caused by either a rupture or an accumulation of fluid within the artery. A rupture is when part of the vessel breaks open, allowing pressure and debris to build up inside. An accumulation of fluid occurs when there is too much water building up in the area due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or other cardiovascular conditions.
If you notice any signs or symptoms associated with your brain aneurysm (which may include headache, dizziness, or altered vision), it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment. Treatment will often involve surgery to remove any obstruction from the artery and restore normal flow to your brain.
What are the risk factors for brain aneurysms?
Brain aneurysms are the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage. They’re characterized by a weak spot in the blood vessel wall that can rupture. The aneurysm may burst, causing bleeding inside the brain and often leading to death. Brain aneurysms may occur in any part of the blood vessels in the brain, including the cerebral arteries, but about half of them are found in the circle of Willis, which consists of several major blood vessels that connect the left and right sides of the brain. The risk of developing a brain aneurysm is higher in people who are older than 50 years of age, have a history of smoking and heavy drinking, and are female.
The following conditions are known to increase the risk of developing a brain aneurysm:
- Family history: People with a family history of brain aneurysms are at increased risk.
- Female sex: Women are at increased risk of developing brain aneurysms compared to men.
- History of smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing brain aneurysms.
- Heavy drinking: Excessive alcohol intake is associated with a high risk of brain aneurysms.
What are the symptoms of a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm (BA) is a bulging of a part of the brain. It happens when there is a weakening of the blood vessel wall. The blood vessel ruptures and leaks blood out into the surrounding area.
The most common symptom of BA is a sudden headache. Other symptoms include:
- Sudden weakness on one side of the body
- Sudden dizziness or fainting
- Dizziness
- Severe headaches or a feeling of being “unstable.”
- Loss of consciousness or “blackout.”
- Difficulty with balance or walking
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Difficulty with thinking or memory
- Vision changes
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Swelling or loss of hearing
- Changes in personality
- Blurred vision
What happens next
If left untreated, a brain aneurysm can lead to the following complications:
- Bleeding into the brain
- Stroke
- Disruption of normal brain functions
- Death
What you can do
See your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Severe headaches
- Fainting
If you have any questions, please contact your physician.
How is a brain aneurysm diagnosed?
A brain aneurysm is diagnosed through a series of tests that include imaging and computed tomography (CT) scans. CT scans are used to create images of the inside of your skull, which can reveal any abnormalities that may be causing damage to your brain. If you experience sudden symptoms such as headache, confusion, or vomiting, then it might be best to see a doctor right away for further evaluation.
If there is evidence of an aneurysm present on one or more images taken during the CT scan, then surgery might be necessary in order to prevent additional damage and possible death due to bleeding into the brain.
Treatment for brain aneurysms?
There are a variety of treatments for brain aneurysms, depending on the size and location of the aneurysm. Small aneurysms may not require treatment, but larger aneurysms may be treated with surgery, endovascular therapy (using minimally invasive techniques to insert a tube into the blood vessels to reach and treat the aneurysm), or by using a combination of surgical and endovascular therapies.
