BRAIN ANEURYSM

An excessive localized swelling of the wall of an artery is called an aneurysm.

What is an Aneurysm ?

A brain (cerebral) aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. In rare cases, the brain aneurysm ruptures, releasing blood into the skull and causing a stroke.

When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the result is called a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Depending on the severity of the haemorrhage, brain damage or death may result.

Brain Aneurysm

The most common location for brain aneurysms is in the network of blood vessels at the base of the brain called the circle of Willis.

Common location for brain aneurysm

One thousand human brains of both sexes were examined.

Aneurysms were found in 10 specimens (1%).

The incidence of aneurysms was 1.6% in females and 0.8% in males.

All the aneurysms were saccular. The aneurysms varied in size. In 5 specimens the aneurysms

were minute bulbous dilatations. In the rest of the cases it varied

from 0.2 to 2.5 cm. The youngest subject with

saccular aneurysm was an 18-years-old male and the oldest was a 55-years-old male.

No aneurysm was found in the brains of 94 children (1-17 years)

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Percentage of Population Affected

Almost 5,00,000 people die every year due to brain aneurysms every year i.e., approximately 0.07% of the total population .

It's difficult to estimate exactly how many people are affected by brain aneurysms because in most cases they cause no symptoms and pass undetected. Some experts believe it could be as high as one in 20 people, while others think the figure is much lower at around one in a 100 people.

Brain aneurysms can develop in anyone at any age, but are more common in people over 40 years of age and women tend to be affected more commonly than men.

No. of Deaths due to brain aneurysms in the world

There is a brain aneurysm rupturing every 18 minutes. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 40% of cases.

4 out of 7 people who recover from a ruptured brain aneurysm will have disabilities.

Brain aneurysms are most prevalent in people ages 35 - 60, but can occur in children as well. There are typically no warning signs.

Aneurysms larger than one inch are referred to as "giant" aneurysms and can pose a particularly high risk and can be difficult to treat.

Women, more than men, suffer from brain aneurysms at a ratio of 3:2.

Facts about aneurysms

Family History: People who have a family history of brain aneurysms are more likely to have an aneurysm than those who don't.

Previous aneurysm: People who have had a brain aneurysm are more likely to have another.

Gender: Women are more likely to develop a brain aneurysm or to suffer a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Race: African Americans are more likely than whites to have a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

High blood pressure: The risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage is greater in people who have a history of high blood pressure.

Smoking: The use of cigarettes may greatly increase the chances of a brain aneurysm rupturing

People who have more chances of suffering with an aneurysm

A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

Neck pain Nausea and vomiting

Sensitivity to light

Fainting or loss of consciousness

Seizures

Symptoms of Ruptured Aneurysms

The diagnosis of an aneurysm can be done in four ways:

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Computed tomography angiogram (CTA) scan

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

Cerebral angiogram

Diagnosis

You cannot always prevent brain aneurysms, but you can reduce your risk by:

A) Saying no to Smoking:

B)Exercising regularly and keeping a check on Blood Pressure reduces the risk of an aneurysm

Prevention

The pain of a ruptured aneurysm is often considered as a migraine pain and is ignored by people .

While the symptoms of the pain caused by a migraine and the pain caused by aneurysms are similar, but the conditions are not related.

Misconceptions

Don't smoke or use recreational drugs

Eat a healthy diet and exercise

Limit caffeineAvoid straining

Natural treatment of an unruptured brain aneurysm

Not all aneurysms need to be treated. Physician may elect to closely observe the aneurysm. There are two main treatment options for patients who need to have their aneurysm treated.

Open surgical “clipping”.

Endovascular therapy: “coiling”.

Treatment

In this method, an incision is done in the skin over the head, an opening is made in the bone and the spaces of the brain are dissected to place a clip across the aneurysm where it arises from the blood vessel.  This prevents the blood flow from entering the aneurysm

Open Surgical “Clipping”

In this method, a catheter is inserted into a vessel over the hip and other catheters are navigated through the blood vessels to the vessels of the brain and into the aneurysm.  Coils are then packed into the aneurysm up to the point where it arises from the blood vessel, preventing blood flow from entering the aneurysm.

Endovascular “Coiling”

There are many clubs and agencies that are working to spread awareness about brain aneurysms and to help people suffering from the disease. Some of the main clubs and agencies are:

Brain Aneurysm Foundation

High Risk Life Insurance Agencies

Maine Track Club US Preventive Services

Task Force

Clubs And Agencies Related To Brain Aneurysms