An undetected brain aneurysm, which does not cause symptoms, can break or rupture, causing sudden, severe neurological symptoms. If the patient is aware of her potential for developing an aneurysm, she can take precautions, such as altering her lifestyle and instituting good health practices.
Aneurysm
A brain aneurysm is an enlargement of an artery within the brain; a portion of the artery wall has weakened over time, causing this enlargement to develop and grow. Aneurysms generally develop near branches of the arterial brain system and can grow into different formations. These are the "saccular" or "berry" aneurysm; the "fusiform" aneurysm; the "giant" aneurysm and the "traumatic" aneurysm. The patient can display symptoms before a brain aneurysm ruptures; this happens in approximately 40 percent of aneurysm diagnoses.
Symptoms
Brain aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until it ruptures; when this happens, the patient develops a sudden, severe ("worst headache of my life"), neck pain, possible nausea and vomiting. He may lose consciousness. If the leaked blood begins to migrate into the spinal fluid, he will experience pain, often severe, in the lower back and his legs. Again, depending on the size of the aneurysm and hemorrhage, other symptoms can include drooping eyelids and altered mental status (he could become quite lethargic).
More Symptoms
Symptoms can also include difficulty moving a body part (stroke symptoms) lessened sensation in some part of the body, blurred vision and/or seizures. Because the rupture of the aneurysm is so sudden and unexpected, the patient and his family/friends don't know what is happening. All of these symptoms are life-threatening and it is imperative that he get to an emergency room immediately for treatment.
Implications
If the victim smokes, is under a high level of stress, suffers from genetic high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), or if she takes birth control pills, she is at increased risk for an aneurysm. If she suffers a ruptured aneurysm, she could have a stroke or develop a hematoma (blood clot in the brain).
Brain Damage and Death
Depending upon how long it takes to get a diagnosis of a ruptured brain aneurysm, the patient can begin to suffer permanent brain damage. If his rupture was large enough or if there was a clot in the aneurysm, he could suffer from a stroke, which will damage brain tissue. In the event of a blood clot developing inside the brain or between the brain and the dura (durable lining covering the brain), brain tissue could be irritated, which could lead to the damage of brain tissue and cells surrounding the hematoma. If the patient does not receive immediate medical attention and emergency treatment, he could die.
Tags: brain tissue, aneurysm could, aneurysm patient, blood clot, brain aneurysm, brain aneurysm, damage brain