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Definition of Brain Aneurism

When a weak artery within the brain bursts, this is a condition known as a sub arachnoid haemorrhage or a brain aneurysm. Elderly people are generally more at risk for brain aneurysms, though certain younger people who have risky lifestyles or exhibit genetic tendencies may also experience brain aneurysms as well. A brain aneurysm usually happens as the afflicted person is engaged in physical exertion that raises blood pressure. The weak brain artery cannot cope with the higher blood pressure – resulting in a brain aneurysm. When a person suffers from a brain aneurysm, blood from the burst artery flows into the surrounding area of the brain, creating pressure – particularly when the blood eventually clots.

Symptoms of a Brain Aneurism

Brain aneurysms can happen without any warning. One sign of an impending brain aneurysm is a very strong headache which does not dissipate even after an hour, usually felt towards the back of the head. Most victims of brain aneurysm report that the headache is the worst they’ve ever experienced. Though many patients die immediately from the bursting of a brain artery, in some cases surgery may be carried out to save the patient. This involves attaching clips to the affected blood vessels. Unfortunately, accident and emergency doctors do not always make the right diagnosis, attributing the headache to simple migraine and prescribing an analgesic such as Paracetamol. If left untreated, the condition of a brain aneurysm victim can degenerate within 24 hours into a coma and then death.

Treatment of a Brain Aneurism

This involves the surgeon having to first identify which blood vessel/s have burst and clip these, in order to stem the bleeding and relieve pressure on the affected brain matter. One minor error can cause significant brain damage or death.

Damage Wrought By Brain Aneurism

Brain aneurysms occur more frequently than you might be aware of – 1 out of 15 people are projected to suffer a brain aneurysm sometime in their life. Among this number, 10% to 15% will probably die before they can get to hospital; more than 50% will die in the next 30 days following the artery’s rupture. And among the survivors of brain aneurysms, the mental capacity of around half of them will be affected.

Risk Factors for Brain Aneurisms

If you are aged 35 to 60, you are projected to be at risk for suffering a brain aneurysm. The risk is higher for women than men. Victims of brain aneurysms can be treated with endovascular treatment (considered a less-invasive procedure) if the neurovascular specialist rules out surgical clipping as being too risky. Endovascular treatment is also called coil embolisation or coiling. Statistics show that patients who undergo endovascular treatment have better survival rates compared to those who undergo surgical clipping. Caregivers or next-of-kin of patients are advised to consult the neurovascular specialist as to which form of treatment is more appropriate for the victim.

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