How To Avoid an Aneurysm

July 6, 2014 by admin 
Filed under Health

 

The brain is one of the most important parts of our body and any disease related to the brain or the nervous system is a cause of worry. A brain aneurysm is a form of deformity in which a balloon or bulge is formed in one of the blood vessels of the brain. It usually looks as if a berry is hanging on to a stem.

How Does Leaking/Ruptured Aneurysm Affect the Brain?

The leaking or rupturing of the aneurysm seriously affects the brain:

§  Leaking or rupturing of the brain aneurysm can cause bleeding within the brain leading to hemorrhagic stroke.

§  This rupture of the brain usually occurs in between the thin tissues that cover the brain and the brain space.

§  Once the rupture of an aneurysm occurs, it starts affecting the other functions of the brain and can prove fatal.

§  The hemorrhagic stroke that occurs in this way is known as subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Un-ruptured Aneurysm

§  There are several aneurysms though that do not rupture or cause health-affecting symptoms.

§  Such aneurysms are mostly traced when tests are carried out for analysing other health problems affecting the brain.

§  An appropriate treatment can be suggested for such un-ruptured aneurysm by the doctor to prevent chances of leakage or rupture in the future.

Symptoms of Ruptured Aneurysm

One of the major symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm is severe headache and is supposed to be the worst ever experienced by anyone. Some other symptoms include:

§  Vomiting and nausea

§  Extreme to severe headache

§  Double vision or blurred vision

§  Stiff neck

§  Confusion

§  Seizure

§  Unconsciousness

§  Drooping Eyelid

§  Light sensitivity

Symptoms of Leaking Aneurysm

In some cases, the aneurysm may not rupture but there can be slight leaking of blood that can cause severe headache. Mostly a rupture always leads to leaks.

Symptoms of an Unruptured Aneurysm

Many times if the aneurysm is very small, no symptoms are produced. However, in cases of large unruptured aneurysm certain problems can arise due to the pressing of the bulge on the nerves and brain tissues. Symptoms in such cases include:

§  Drooping Eyelid

§  Numbness, paralysis or weakness on one side

§  Dilated pupil

§  Pain behind or above the eye

§  Double vision or change in the vision

§  Severe headache

If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, you should consult your caregiver.

Is it Possible to Avoid Brain Aneurysm?

Clinically, there is no guaranteed remedy that can keep the formation of a brain aneurysm at bay. However, you can always reduce the chances of its formation by keeping a check on things that stimulate their development such as high blood pressure and smoking.

Smoking and Aneurysm

§  Clinical researchers have revealed that people who smoke regularly are at a greater risk of developing brain aneurysm.

§  The risk is more in people who carry a special type of gene variable in their body.

§  Such people are more likely to develop cancer or heart disease in further courses.

§  When people with specific gene variation smoke frequently, they become vulnerable to aneurysm.

§  On the other hand, people who quit smoking are at less risk of developing brain aneurysm.

§  Passive smoking or secondhand smoking too is equally dangerous

You can take help of NHS service that guides you into quitting smoking, or you can ask for medication from your doctor to help you quit smoking.

Family History and Aneurysm

§  One of the ways to reduce the development of aneurysms is by checking with your family history and accordingly taking necessary steps.

§  If one or two of your family members in the recent past have suffered from an aneurysm, you should opt for screening of your brain.

§  In case you have developed an eye disorder or double vision problem and also have a family history of aneurysm, you must go for the screening test.

§  Carrying out the test prior to rupture saves you from further problems and the aneurysm can be easily treated without causing any severe health condition.

Control Hypertension to Avoid Aneurysm

High blood pressure can also lead to the development of a brain aneurysm. The best way is to reducehypertension by following the below steps:

§  Take healthy diet, cut down on salt and eat lots of vegetables and fresh fruits

§  Keep the intake of alcohol from moderate to low

§  Maintain a normal weight and lose the extra weight if any, to keep the high blood pressure under control

§  Exercise regularly

All these measures can help you avoid the problem of a brain aneurysm