Guide To Aneurysm Symptoms

An aneurysm occurs when an artery in the body becomes weak, creating an abnormal bulge and increase in artery size. Aneurysms can occur in many major arteries of the body, including in the brain and abdomen. Aneurysms can be detected with ultrasound and other imaging studies, and in fact, most are discovered incidentally during scans for other conditions. If an aneurysm is found, it is typically monitored with regular imaging studies to check for an increase in size. Depending on the aneurysm's location and size, doctors may recommend surgery to repair it. Aneurysms can leak or rupture, and this is considered a medical emergency that may be fatal. However, studies suggest up to eighty percent of all aneurysms will not rupture during a patient's lifetime.

The symptoms of a brain aneurysm can appear rapidly and be quite frightening. Since neurological symptoms may indicate many conditions, it is vital for patients experiencing any of the possible signs of a brain aneurysm outlined below seek immediate medical evaluation.

Sudden And Severe Headache

A sudden and severe headache is one of the classic symptoms associated with a brain aneurysm. It may indicate an aneurysm is leaking or has ruptured, and patients with this symptom should go to the emergency room or call an ambulance. Generally, aneurysm patients have described their sudden and severe headache as being the worst headache of their lives and more painful than any other type of headache they may have had. Patients who have brain aneurysms that have not ruptured may also experience headaches, and these range from mild to severe. In particular, patients may feel mild to severe pain above or behind their eyes. Sometimes, a sudden and severe headache may be accompanied by a drooping eyelid and stiffness in the neck.