How Serious is a Cerebral Aneurysm?

A cerebral aneurysm is a blood filled bulge in a weakened area of the blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. It can become very serious and lead to severe health conditions. The cerebral aneurysm will continue to fill with blood and cause the vessel to become even more weak. As the aneurysm grows, it will overfill and can rupture. This will cause bleeding in the brain and can lead to stroke or death.

Knowing the symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm can help you avoid these serious health problems. Unfortunately, most unruptured cerebral aneurysms do not show any signs or symptoms. There are some things that could be considered symptoms though. Fatigue or dizziness could be a sign of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. The blood will not be able to flow properly to the brain and therefore, the brain will not be functioning correctly. Change in behavior and short-term memory loss could also be a sign.

When it comes to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, the most common symptom is a sudden, severe headache. The pain will be excruciating and there will be no relief from it. You may also experience sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting or loss of consciousness. Vision impairments is also a very common symptom of a cerebral aneurysm. One that is sometimes overlooked, is a stiff neck or neck pain. The cerebral aneurysm will be causing a lot of pressure on the neck and if it ruptures, the neck will become full of blood and harmful agents.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should speak with your doctor right away. The doctor is likely to perform a test to diagnose the aneurysm. An MRI or a CATscan are the most common tests to check for cerebral aneurysm, but the doctor may also decide to do a cerebral arteriogram or a cerebrospinal fluid exam. These tests are very accurate at detecting cerebral aneurysms.

Since cerebral aneurysms can become very serious you should seek treatment at the first sign. Knowing what all the signs and symptoms will help you do this. If you experience one or more of these symptoms speak with your doctor and stop the problem from becoming more severe.