Brain health is a crucial part of a family’s overall well – being. Spotting warning signs early and getting medical help promptly can prevent tragedies. A brain aneurysm can strike at any age, and knowing its symptoms is key to taking timely action.
A brain aneurysm forms when there’s a weak spot in the wall of a brain blood vessel, creating a balloon – like bulge. This bulge can stay stable or burst, leading to a brain hemorrhage. How serious the condition is depends on where the affected vessel is and how big it is.
When an aneurysm bursts, there’s internal bleeding in the brain, which can be deadly or cause severe damage. But even an unruptured aneurysm can put pressure on brain structures, causing serious symptoms.
Headache: The Main Symptom
People who’ve survived a brain aneurysm often say that one of the main signs before it burst was an extremely intense and sudden headache. Telling an aneurysm headache from a migraine can be tough, but these traits might suggest a higher risk:
- A severe headache described as the worst one you’ve ever had.
- Comes on suddenly and you’ve never had migraines before.
- Accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
If you or someone close to you has an unusual headache, see a doctor right away.
Other Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm
Besides a sudden, severe headache, other signs could point to an aneurysm. Look out for these symptoms:
- Sudden drooping of the eyelids
- Double or blurred vision
- Unexplained seizures
- Pain in one eye
- Unexplained nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Numbness on part of the face
- Ringing or loud noises in the head
- Brief loss of consciousness
If someone has one or more of these symptoms, rush them to the hospital immediately.