Aneurysms, which are bulging blood vessels, can form anywhere in the body. When it comes to the brain, saccular aneurysms are the most common form.
These aneurysms are characterized by the formation of a blood sac that develops on one side of the arteries in the brain, which can lead to a host of serious health effects. Saccular aneurysms are sometimes called berry aneurysms due to their similarity to berries hanging on a vine.
Aneurysms typically do not cause any symptoms until they rupture, at which point the following effects can occur:
With cerebral aneurysms, a person may also suddenly lose consciousness after a period of intense head pain.
Some people are born with aneurysms, while others may develop arterial defects over the course of their lives. Certain factors can also contribute to the development of an aneurysm, including:
For the majority of people who experience aneurysms, no underlying reason or cause is identified.
Cerebral aneurysms can lead to serious complications without prompt treatment. These complications can include:
These complications can quickly become life-threatening, so people are encouraged to seek medical attention if they suspect an aneurysm or experience symptoms of one.
Not all cerebral aneurysms receive immediate treatment. If the bulge in the artery is relatively small and you are not experiencing symptoms, your doctor might opt to monitor the situation.
With larger, riskier aneurysms, surgical procedures are often necessary. Some procedures, such as endovascular coiling, catheter embolization, and microvascular clipping, stop blood from flowing to the aneurysm to reduce the risk of rupture. Other procedures entail placing grafts in arteries to strengthen them.
Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as medications to dilate blood vessels. Other drugs can prevent brain damage in the event an aneurysm does rupture by reducing calcium absorption in blood vessel walls. When it comes to head pain, doctors can also recommend over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen.