What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm is simply a weak or expanded portion of an artery, like a swelling in a balloon. An artery is a big artery that carries oxygenated blood pumped from your heart to all different parts of your body. If a weakened area happens on an artery wall, that force of blood pumped may cause a bulge-an aneurysm, that is.

They generally don't have much to say about their presence. Often one doesn't know they even exist unless an aneurysm ruptures or breaks open. If it ruptures, the situation can quickly be fatal.

What are the types of aneurysms?

Aneurysm can occur in any of the arteries in your body. It can develop in your heart, abdomen, brain or legs. The type depends on where it is found.

The most common are aortic aneurysms. These take place in your aorta, which is your biggest artery. Your aorta has the job of taking blood from your heart. Other peripheral aneurysms grow in arteries outside your aorta.

Types of aneurysm are as follows:

• Brain aneurysm These occur within your brain. The berry type is the most common variety of a brain aneurysm. It is shaped like the fruit and consists of a sack full of blood.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or AAA: In your body, the biggest artery is called the aorta, which brings blood up to the belly. Such an aneurysm develops where it is situated.
• Aortic aneurysm in the thorax: This kind does not occur as commonly as an AAA. They arise from within the chest, in the artery at the top.
• Carotid artery aneurysm: These occur in your carotid arteries that carry blood to your face, neck, and brain.
• Popliteal artery: It is one of the most common peripheral vascular aneurysms. This kind of aneurysm is a bulging or weakness in the wall of the artery that supplies blood to the knee joint, calf, and thigh.
• Mesenteric artery aneurysm: It occurs in the artery taking blood to your intestines.
• Splenic artery aneurysm: In this type of aneurysm, it is formed in an artery located in your spleen.
• Ventricular aneurysm: This is an outward bulge of the wall of your heart. The most common cause is a previous heart attack. In rare cases, it can also be due to a severe chest injury.

Who is at risk for an aneurysm?

Different aneurysms affect different groups. Brain tumours are more associated with AfAB people and less with AMAB people. Aortic aneurysms are more associated with the people AMAB.

Most of the people who have abdominal aortic aneurysms fall under:

• Assigned boy at birth
• More than 60 years old
• People who smoke.
• All races are affected, but mostly white people.

How do you know you have an aneurysm?

There are two types of aneurysms. They can be either asymptomatic and therefore not cause any signs, or they can be symptomatic. An aneurysm depends on where it occurs in the body to cause symptoms.

Symptoms that may occur with various types of aneurysms, but are not limited to, include:

• Aortic aneurysm in the abdomen (AAA): Having persistent pain in your stomach, chest, lower back, or groin.
• Aneurysm in the brain: Sudden severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, and losing consciousness.
• Aneurysm in the femoral and popliteal arteries: The femoral artery or the popliteal artery behind the knee can easily be palpated while pulsating. The following include pain in the leg accompanied by ulcers in the feet or lower limbs.
• Aneurysm in the iliac crest: Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or hip.

The symptoms of aneurysm can mimic symptoms associated with other medical conditions and diseases. To understand them better, you need to consult your doctor.

How is an aneurysm diagnosed?

Most aneurysms develop without any symptoms. Your doctor may discover it incidentally during a routine checkup or some other test.

Your doctor will order imaging tests if you have symptoms that may indicate an aneurysm. The following imaging tests can help locate and diagnose an aneurysm:

• Angiography with a CT or MRI.
• A sonogram.
• CT scan.
• Ultrasound
• Echocardiogram

How is an aneurysm treated?

For a large aneurysm that may rupture, only open surgery or an endovascular treatment can cure it.

Surgery may not be possible, or it might be more dangerous than the aneurysm. That person may fare best with close observation and medicine. Medicines can help by:

• Making blood flow better
• Bringing down blood pressure
• Getting rid of cholesterol

Your doctor will examine the size, type, and position of the aneurysm to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Some surgeries that can improve arteries or lower the risk of a rupture are:

• Endovascular repair of an aneurysm: Your doctor will put a catheter into your blood stream and use a graft to fix or strengthen your artery.
• Open surgery: Your surgeon will insert a graft or remove an aneurysm via a larger incision through a bigger cut.
• Coiled endovascular vessels: Your surgeon will put several coils inside the aneurysm using a catheter to pack it and prevent blood flow into it.
• Cutting small blood vessels: Your doctor will place a metal clip at the base of the artery to prevent blood from flowing to it.
• Embolisation of a catheter: This treatment prevents the aneurysm from receiving blood, and this makes it less likely to rupture. A tube will be used to administer medicines or other things that prevent bleeding.

You may be given medicine if you have an aneurysm that can't be fixed. Such medicine helps lower your blood pressure or make your heart beat less quickly, thus reducing the likelihood of it bursting.

Your doctor may even give you medicine and wait and watch to see how it grows, even if the aneurysm can be fixed.

If the aneurysm is big enough to be dangerous, your doctor may suggest treatment.

What are the complications of an aneurysm?

If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes internal bleeding. Depending on where the aneurysm has developed, a rupture can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. An aneurysm in your neck can create a blood clot that will travel to your brain. If the clot cuts off blood supply to your brain, then it causes a stroke. When a brain aneurysm bursts, it causes a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Some call it a brain bleed. Most of the time, people report that which they term to be the worst headache of their lives, followed by other symptoms like weakness in their limbs, headache, and difficulties with speech.

How can I keep from getting an aneurysm?

Aneurysms that haven't burst are common. Sometimes you can't stop them. But you can lower your chance of getting an aneurysm by living a healthy life:

• Don't eat too much salt or fat.
• Regularly work out.
• Stay at a good weight.
• Try not to smoke or give up.

What is the outlook for people with an aneurysm?

Aneurysms that rupture are a disaster that is life threatening. A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures. It is potentially deadly if not addressed promptly. Many things could occur when receiving care in a timely manner. Rehabilitation and other types of care do lead many individuals to recover from an aneurysm.

Most of the time, doctors can help you manage smaller aneurysms that haven't ruptured. Your doctor or nurse will monitor your health closely. The risk of rupture can be reduced with medicine or surgery.

When should I see a doctor?

If any of the following occur, you should contact your doctor:

• Feeling dizzy.
• Heart beat that is very fast.
• Severe, acute headache, chest pain, stomach pain, or back pain

What should I say to my doctor?

• You might ask your doctor or nurse the following questions:
• Is there a chance I might develop an aneurysm?
• Should I get x-rays to determine whether I have an aneurysm?
• How do I prevent an aneurysm from growing larger or bursting?
• What can I change about my life to lower my risk?

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for aneurysm?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country. With the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in Aneurysm. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To seek an expert consultation for any Neurology condition

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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