Brain Aneurysms – A Stealthy Killer
Brain Aneurysms are fairly common, yet many people simply have no idea of what they are or how they could affect you. It is thought that roughly one in fifteen people within America will develop an aneurysm in their lifetime. So just what are they and how could they possibly affect you? Well, they’re abnormal bulges that occur on the outside of any of the humain brain’s arteries. They are also known as Intracranial or Cerebral Aneurysms.
Finding An Aneurysm
Usually, they are only found once they have ruptured. A ruptured Aneurysm will bleed into the brain and this will bring on a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. The bleeding can also occur within the subarachnoid space, which is basically the space that surrounds the brain. If you do suffer from a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage then the consequences can be quite severe, with brain damage, a stroke, or even death being just three of the major complications that could occur.
Usually, they are only found once they have ruptured. A ruptured Aneurysm will bleed into the brain and this will bring on a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. The bleeding can also occur within the subarachnoid space, which is basically the space that surrounds the brain.
If you do suffer from a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage from a Brain Aneurysm then the consequences can be quite severe, with brain damage, a stroke, or even death being just three of the major complications that could occur.
It is possible for an Aneurysm to be discovered before it ruptures, but it is not very common. Obviously, if it were to be discovered before it ruptured then treatment could be given to stop it from rupturing in the future and your chances of survival would increase dramatically. If the Aneurysm has ruptured then the main treatment involves stopping the bleeding. It needs to be stopped as soon as possible in order to avoid permanent damage.
You are at risk of developing an Aneurysm at any age, but generally, the risk is increased in people over the age of 35. There also seems to be more instances of women developing Aneurysms rather than men. No matter who you are, if you develop a Brain Aneurysm then it can be devastating and treatment will need to be given as soon as possible.
Treatment
There are a number of options when it comes to treatment. In many cases, surgery is needed to remove the Aneurysm. However, surgeons are opting more and more to use the minimally invasive Coil Embolization treatment whenever possible. This is where treatment is given through a blood vessel and it is guided by the use of X-Ray technology.
It is preferred by the patient because it is not as invasive as open surgery. Basically with this type of treatment coils are placed into the Aneurysm which stops it from rupturing. It is an extremely common procedure and over 100,000 people a year have it done.
Coiling is one of the most common forms of treatment for a Brain Aneurysm. It does significantly reduce the risk of Aneurysm rupturing and it gives hope to hundreds of thousands of people. Once the Aneurysm has ruptured, however, treatment will immediately be given in order to stop the bleeding and to try and repair any damage which may have been done.