What Is a Brain Aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. Also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm, many smaller brain aneurysms are not serious and do not cause symptoms or health issues. However, a ruptured brain aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency medical condition that requires immediate care. Keep reading to learn more.

What Causes a Brain Aneurysm to Form?

Experts believe brain aneurysms form and grow when blood flowing through the blood vessel puts pressure on a weak area of the vessel wall. This process can increase the size of the brain aneurysm. If the brain aneurysm leaks or ruptures, it causes bleeding in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke.

Typically, a ruptured brain aneurysm happens in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering the brain. This type of hemorrhagic stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

How Dangerous Is a Brain Aneurysm?

Brain aneurysms are surprisingly common. An unruptured brain aneurysm is not considered dangerous. While symptoms are often not experienced at all for an unruptured brain aneurysm, they can be; symptoms and early signs of an unruptured brain aneurysm may include:

• Change in vision or double vision
• Dilated pupil
• Numbness on one side of the face
• Pain above and behind one eye
• Seizures

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care to ensure a brain aneurysm hasn’t ruptured and to rule out stroke.

Sadly, a ruptured brain aneurysm can lead to death, especially if not treated quickly. Keep reading for symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Symptoms of a Ruptured Brain Aneurysm

A sudden, severe headache is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is often described by people as the worst headache they've ever experienced, or a “thunderclap headache.”

Other symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm can include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck

Treatment Options for Brain Aneurysms

The goal of brain aneurysm treatment is to prevent a rupture. Imaging tests can help your provider determine if immediate surgical treatment is necessary. In some cases, careful monitoring may be the most appropriate course.

If a brain aneurysm is deemed by your doctor as likely to rupture, a number of surgical procedures can divert blood flow away from the aneurysm and repair the affected blood vessel, including microsurgical clipping, artery bypass and occlusion, flow diversion with stents and endovascular coiling.

If you’re diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm, we suggest you reach out to a medical team that specializes in brain aneurysm surgery.

Compassionate Neurology and Neurosurgical Care Is Right Here

At AdventHealth, we’re here to help navigate the way with knowledge, skill and spiritual support. From prevention and early detection to pinpointing the problem and helping you feel whole again, your team of world-class neurologists, nurses, neurosurgeons and other specialists work together to provide comprehensive, compassionate care throughout your neurological treatment.

Visit us here to learn more about how we can care for you.