Brain aneurysms occur when a part of an artery in the brain becomes weak and starts to dilate in that area; it acts like a balloon. The more it is filled, the more it will dilate out, eventually rupturing. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause extensive destruction to the brain, and it can even lead to death. If caught early enough, an unruptured brain aneurysm can be treated. Sometimes the patient will feel no symptoms at all if the aneurysm has not ruptured.
Causes
Aneurysms can be indigenous or inherited. Other causes that play a huge role in causing them are heart disease and narrowing of the arteries or even high blood pressure. Since aneurysms are like a balloon, they will press on certain structures around them, and they may cause symptoms that are a warning before they burst.
Eye or Visual Symptoms
Certain symptoms can show up in the patient's eyesight or visual health. The patient may lose his side vision and only be able to see straight ahead. He may have headaches in the forehead or behind one or both eyes. If one of the patient's eyes does not constrict and dilate normally when going in and out of light and dark areas, but it stays dilated at all times, this is sign of a problem. The patient may see two of everything or even have other visual symptoms. A patient may not be able to open up one eye.
Stroke- Like Symptoms
The patient's face may start to droop, just like with a stroke, and he may not be able to feel that side of his face.
Behavioral Symptoms
The patient may start acting differently; he may not be himself. He may have problems with forgetting or even trying to work concepts out in his mind. He may not discern things in a normal way. His focus on his work or on things at hand may be very scattered and distracted. He may also lose his ability to talk correctly; his words may start to get jumbled at times or even confused. He may fall more easily also and even be more clumsy.
Considerations
If the patient comes down with a headache that has no warning and that is extremely painful, he needs to get to a doctor or to the ER right then. It's imperative that he do so, since this could be a sign that the aneurysm already has or is going to rupture.
Interesting Facts
Aneurysms can occur in both men and women, but they are seen more often in women. People between 35 to 60 years of age are more likely to suffer an aneurysm.
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