We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Signs of Brain Aneurysm?

By Steve R.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,805
Share

A brain aneurysm is an irregular bulging of an artery in the brain that develops over time. If a brain aneurysm ruptures or leaks, it can lead to a stroke or even death. Approximately one out of 15 people in the United States will be treated for a brain aneurysm. Signs of brain aneurysm often include headaches, eye trouble, mental difficulty, and discomfort.

Major signs of brain aneurysm include severe headaches that appear out of the blue. A person with a brain aneurysm may experience a migraine that is much more severe than any other headache experienced before. Such a sharp migraine is a major symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. These types of headaches are known as prodromal headaches because they serve as a warning for a brain aneurysm.

Approximately 50 percent of individuals who develop a ruptured aneurysm will experience some type of warning headache prior to a rupture. On average, a person will experience a severe headache two weeks before a rupture. A person who develops an unbearable migraine should seek medical treatment, as it may be an indication of a ruptured aneurysm. Approximately half of the cases of ruptured aneurysms result in death.

Signs of brain aneurysm also include visual disturbances, such as sensitivity to light, dilation of one pupil, and the inability to move eyes in every direction. Other visual difficulties may include blurred vision or double vision, discomfort above and behind the eye, and a sagging eyelid. A person may experience visual field deficits, which prevent an individual from seeing things that are in the field of sight.

Besides headaches, signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm may include nausea and vomiting, neck pain, and loss of sensation. A quarter of individuals with ruptured aneurysms will experience seizures. Often times, however, before an aneurysm bursts, a person may experience no symptoms at all.

In less than half of the cases of patients with unruptured aneurysms, patients will experience some type of mental difficulty. This may include trouble remembering things, a loss of concentration, and difficulty with comprehension. Other signs of brain aneurysm may include fatigue, loss of equilibrium, and trouble with annunciation.

A person should see a doctor if headaches are connected with other symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, seizures, and change in sight. Aneurysms also may arise during moments of stress or physical effort. A determination of an aneurysm is made with a CAT scan.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-signs-of-brain-aneurysm.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.