Brain aneurysms can be scary injuries. In some cases, they come on suddenly, and your family might not have time to prepare for them. In other cases, they can be caused by an accident that has devastating consequences for your loved ones. On this page, I will discuss the brain aneurysm in greater detail. You can learn about what causes this issue, common symptoms to watch out for, general prognosis for this injury, and common treatment options. If your loved one suffers from a brain aneurysm, you can use this information to help them.
Understanding the Brain Aneurysm
Sometimes, arteries in the brain will begin to bulge out in an unnatural or abnormal way. When this happens, a brain aneurysm forms. When this aneurysm ruptures or bursts, it leads to bleeding within the brain, or in areas around the brain. Commonly, bleeding might occur in the subarachnoid space. Obviously, bleeding in the brain can be very serious and can cause damage. A few serious consequences of this issue include brain damage, stroke, and even death. A person of any age might face a brain aneurysm, but it is most common in adults ages 35 and older.
Unruptured and Ruptured Brain Aneurysms
Many people may have brain aneurysms and not know it, because the aneurysm has not ruptured yet. An unruptured brain aneurysm may cause no symptoms in a person, or relatively minor issues. If you recognize any of these symptoms in your loved one, they may have an unruptured brain aneurysm:
- Behavior changes
- Coordination issues
- Balance issues
- Perception issues
- Speech issues
- Concentration issues
- Short-term memory loss or problems
- Processing issues
- Problems thinking properly
- Issues with peripheral vision
- Fatigue
It is better to catch an aneurysm before it ruptures in the brain. So, if you notice any of these symptoms, encourage your loved one to seek medical attention.
A ruptured brain aneurysm might have symptoms such as:
- Eye pain
- Vision problems
- Neck stiffness/pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of sensation
If you notice any of these symptoms in your loved one, encourage them to seek medical help. Once again, it is better to catch an aneurysm early than to wait until it ruptures.
Prognosis and Treatment
Brain aneurysms are extremely serious injuries. Some people die from aneurysms before they even reach the hospital. Many die in the coming hours or days, while seeking treatment at a hospital. However, brain aneurysms are not always fatal. Still, even if people do survive a brain aneurysm, it is likely that they will be left with permanent brain damage from the incident.
If your loved one is brought to the hospital with a ruptured brain aneurysm, the first thing that the doctors will do is try to stop the bleeding in and around the brain. They will also try to stop permanent brain damage from occurring. A medical staff will do the best they can to save your loved one and preserve their quality of life.
In the case of unruptured brain aneurysms, there are surgeries that can be performed to prevent the aneurysms from rupturing. While there is no guarantee, people with unruptured aneurysms generally have a better prognosis than those whose aneurysms have ruptured.
Getting Help
As you can see, brain aneurysms are very dangerous injuries and they need to be treated as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure if your loved one has an aneurysm, if you suspect that they might, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
If your loved one survives a brain aneurysm, their life may be permanently impacted by the incident. If they experience brain damage, it will be up to you to support them and help them with day to day tasks. If you need help figuring out how to do this, contact my office. I can answer your questions and provide additional resources. I am happy to help your family through this difficult time.
