What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain.
A brain aneurysm can leak or rupture, causing bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).
Most often a ruptured brain aneurysm occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. This type of hemorrhagic stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A ruptured aneurysm quickly becomes life-threatening and requires prompt medical treatment.
Most brain aneurysms, however, don't rupture, create health problems or cause symptoms. Such aneurysms are often detected during tests for other conditions.
Treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases and may prevent a rupture in the future.
Symptoms of ruptured aneurysm
A sudden, severe headache is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is often described as the "worst headache" ever experienced.
Common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:
- Sudden, extremely severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Seizure
- A drooping eyelid
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
Unruptured aneurysm
An unruptured brain aneurysm may produce no symptoms, particularly if it's small.
However, a larger unruptured aneurysm may press on brain tissues and nerves, possibly causing:
- Pain above and behind one eye
- A dilated pupil
- Change in vision or double vision
- Numbness of one side of the face
Causes
The causes of brain aneurysm are unknown, but a range of factors may increase your risk.
Brain aneurysms are more common in adults than in children and more common in women than in men.
Risk factors that develop over time include: Older age, smoking, high blood pressure, heavy alcohol consumption and etc.
These include:
Some types of aneurysms may occur after a head injury.
Also noteworthy are some congenital diseases that become a risk factor for aneurysm development years later.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483
