The process of thickening of blood vessels is known as aneurysm. The blood vessel develops abnormal bulging or swelling causing complications. Aneurysm can happen in any blood vessel. Aneurysm is common in brain where ballooning of blood vessel occurs in the brain. If the blood vessel gets ruptured inside it can cause severe headache, stroke and even death. Aneurysm can be treated by two main approaches by name emboilzation and by surgical clipping.
Types :
Although brain aneurysm is common there are other types of aneurysm given below:-
- Aortic Aneurysm :
It occurs in the major blood vessel (aorta) of the heart. This blood vessel carries pure blood from the heart to other vital organs. Often thickening or ballooning of this blood vessel do not show any symptoms and is diagnosed only in late stages. If aortic aneurysm causes internal bleeding it can be life threatening and fatal.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) :
The blood vessel or aorta that passes through the abdomen gets thickened leading to aneurysm. In some cases it may develop in the thoracic region leading to ballooning of blood vessel in the chest area.
- Brain Aneurysm :
Your brain gets blood supply through 4 major blood vessels that fuse together in a point called Circle of Willis. Often, aneurysm develops in the region where the blood vessel gives out branches. It can rupture inside causing internal bleeding and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Small branching arteries found in the front portion of the brain have less chance for getting ruptured. Your doctor will examine the location and size of the aneurysm to tell you about the chances of rupturing.
- Peripheral Aneurysm :
This type of aneurysm develops in any of the arteries like that of your arm or legs or even on your groin.
Brain Aneurysm Causes :
Two carotid arteries and a pair of vertebral arteries join together at a point called the Circle of Wills. These are the major arteries that supply oxygen to the brain. This point is found at the basal portion of the brain from where several small branches of arteries emerge. There are some weak spots in the artery at the junction of fusion with the main artery. These spots become vulnerable to form aneurysm by developing ballooning pouches in the blood vessels.
It can be caused due to hypertension or trauma or due to sudden excess of blood flow in the weak spots of the arteries. Any severe infections in the artery can damage the artery wall causing aneurysm. Prolonged use of drugs like cocaine can cause inflammation of the arteries leading to aneurysm. A person with family history of aneurysm has increased risk of developing aneurysm. A person who has had aneurysm earlier is likely to develop it again. Brain aneurysm is common in women than in men and people of African American origin have increased chance of developing aneurysm.
Symptoms :