There are three primary causes of an aneurysm

Philip Henkin
3 min readOct 27, 2022

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While there is no one cause for an aneurysm, three known risk factors enhance the likelihood of getting one. Included among these are Vasospasm, Hydrocephalus, and Smoking. Regardless of the underlying etiology, patients must undergo routine monitoring for aneurysm symptoms.

When a big blood artery constricts and stops blood flow, vasospasm ensues. This process can cause symptomatic aneurysms or be a sign of other illnesses. In both cases, treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms and restoring blood flow to the affected area. To prevent complications, however, people with this illness must get specialized treatment.

A patient with this illness should seek emergency medical assistance. Because a shortage of blood circulation to the brain can impair brain processes, this condition is harmful. It can even cause comas. The most effective treatment is prompt aneurysm repair.

Patients with this syndrome frequently exhibit symptoms of vasospasm in the fingers, but they may not have coronary artery disease risk factors. Sometimes, another medical condition, such as scleroderma, causes vasospasm. To eliminate the possibility of other causes, CT perfusion scans or coronary or cerebral angiography may be performed. In addition to reviewing the patient’s medical history, the physician will search for other diseases that could be the cause.

Some aneurysm therapies include stenting, coils, and clipping. These procedures aid in preventing brain hemorrhage and aneurysm rupture. Depending on the extent of the aneurysm, recovery following these treatments varies. If the aneurysm is tiny and unruptured, it may not require treatment. If the aneurysm ruptures, however, open surgery may be recommended. A neurosurgeon implants a surgical clip across the base of the aneurysm to prevent rebleeding during this procedure.

A brain aneurysm is dangerous and causes blood vessel pressure to rise. These aneurysms typically do not burst. They are caused by a thinning of the arterial wall. Among the causes are hypertension and drug abuse. A second cause is serious head trauma.

Untreated aneurysms have a rupture risk of approximately 22 percent. Therefore, neurosurgeons prefer treating these aneurysms as soon as they are detected. Early surgery reduces the likelihood of a second hemorrhage.

If the aneurysm ruptures, the brain tissue may sustain significant damage in extreme circumstances. This can lead to irreversible brain damage. Although the aneurysm typically does not create symptoms, fluid accumulation can raise the pressure in the brain and lead to a coma or stroke.

Aneurysm patients may experience confusion, tiredness, and even loss of consciousness. Increased intracranial pressure may cause the brain to move or herniate. The bleeding can also result in vasospasm, which causes the constriction of arteries and a reduction in blood flow. This can result in a fatal stroke.

The most accurate method of diagnosing an aneurysm is a diagnostic cerebral angiography. The patient must be positioned on an X-ray table. A tiny tube is guided to the brain via the groin and neck. This test is a bit more invasive than the others, but it will assist physicians in determining the optimal treatment.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of cerebral aneurysms, a disorder that weakens the walls of the blood vessels in the brain. As a result, the risk of stroke and possibly death is increased. Additionally, smokers are more prone to developing numerous aneurysms. And even if they quit, smokers still have an increased chance of getting a brain aneurysm.

You can lower your risk of having an aneurysm by taking several preventive actions. Initially, stop smoking. This will lower the likelihood of suffering an aneurysm rupture. Second, maintain healthy blood pressure levels. A healthy lifestyle also entails consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Additionally, you should minimize your intake of saturated fats. In addition, your physician can undertake screening tests for aneurysms to identify any concerns.

Multiple studies have demonstrated a connection between smoking and the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Nevertheless, the strength of the relationship varies across investigations. Some studies found a stronger link with current smokers, while others found a weaker one. In addition, studies have demonstrated a dose-response link between smoking and abdominal aneurysm risk. Consequently, smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of an aneurysm by a factor of five compared to nonsmokers.

Although smoking is a major risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysms, it is not the sole. Other risk factors include a family history of the illness, high blood pressure, and age.

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Philip Henkin

Spinal Fusion, Craniotomy, Brain Surgery, Stroke, Glioblastoma, Aneurysm, Scoliosis, Laminectomy, and Brain Tumor are among Dr. Henkin’s core areas of expertise