The Central Nervous System, which includes the brain, is an essential component of our anatomy.
Without it we could not survive, but neither could we think, feel, make decisions or be aware of what happens to us; All the characteristics that make us human exist because we have a brain that works as it should.
However, there are many diseases that can jeopardize its functioning and, therefore, our survival.Brain aneurysm is one of them
A brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disease in which part of a blood vessel in the brain dilates which swells with the passage of time.
This bulging of that segment of the blood vessel is due to a weakening of its wall, which causes the pressure of the blood to tighten it even more, thus increasing the risk that the vessel ruptures and a part of the brain is flooded. in blood
Prognosis: what happens when the aneurysm ruptures?
The rupture of a brain aneurysm is almost always a very serious event for the person’s health, since on the one hand the blood leak affects the functioning of the parts of the brain, making them unable to work well and killing nerve cells, and On the other hand, it produces a lack of blood flow in others, causing them to die.
Beyond these generalities, The prognosis for a ruptured brain aneurysm is highly variable, basically depending on its size, the affected brain area, the general state of health of the person and the time that has passed between the rupture of the vessel and the beginning of medical care. In general, an average of 40% of people do not survive the 24 hours after the rupture of the brain aneurysm, and it is common that in cases of recovery there are some types of sequelae.
That is why urgent medical attention is necessary when the first symptoms appear.
Types of brain aneurysms
Aneurysms that affect the brain can be classified according to several criteria. Here are some of them.
Types of aneurysms by size
Types of aneurysms according to their shape
Causes and risk factors
Brain aneurysms can be the product of genetic alterations or acquired diseases Risk factors related to unhealthy lifestyle habits are alcoholism, excessive intake of foods with high levels of fat and sugar, tobacco abuse, cocaine use, and the use of certain contraceptives and anticoagulants.
Hypertension, obesity and, especially, atherosclerosis, are also risk factors for the possible appearance of cerebral aneurysms, which are associated with the weakening of the walls of blood vessels.
Brain aneurysm symptoms
When they are small, brain aneurysms tend not to produce symptoms until they rupture, although larger ones can alter certain mental and behavioral functions before this happens, by putting pressure on adjacent areas as they expand.
1. Symptoms before rupture
Among the most common symptoms of unruptured aneurysms are dizziness, alterations in perception, loss of vision and balance and, in general, a weakening of some psychological functions.
However, these symptoms can be confused with the effects of lack of sleep or fatigue and stress caused by a work day that is too intense, so that they often go unnoticed until the blood vessel breaks and death occurs. hemorrhage.
2. Symptoms immediately after the breakup
A person who has had a brain aneurysm rupture will experience symptoms immediately, suddenly feeling much weaker and, in some cases, suffering. severe alterations of consciousness that may be accompanied by entry into a coma or sudden death. Normally, if you do not lose consciousness, the most common signs that an aneurysm has occurred are fatigue, severe dizziness, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing on something.
It is also common to experience speech problems (aphasia), alterations in perception and entry into a state of confusion. However, as we have seen, these symptoms depend on many factors, as does the prognosis.
Treatment
The treatment of cerebral aneurysms is always carried out by a medical team that intervenes directly on the altered area, so it largely depends on the area of the brain or meninges that has been affected.
In any case, when it comes to stopping the bleeding The most used techniques are clipping the weakened area of the blood vessel wall causing it to stop being exposed to blood pressure, and the use of various techniques to redirect blood leakage into the bloodstream.
