Cerebral Aneurysm
What is a cerebral aneurysm?
A cerebral aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery in the brain. It occurs when there is a weakness in the artery's wall. The bulge may slowly enlarge over time. It can rupture or burst and bleed.
What causes an aneurysm?
It is not known why some people get aneurysms. Some suggestions are:
A person can be born with a defect or weak area in one of the artery layers.
As a person ages, bulging occurs from the constant blood flow through the artery. High blood pressure may also cause growth.
Trauma can weaken or damage the artery wall.
Infection can weaken the artery wall.
What are the symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm?
Symptoms can occur:
Before rupture or bleeding
After rupture or bleeding
Before rupture: Most patients do not have any symptoms. Some may have some warning signs. That can happen if the aneurysm is getting bigger or if a small leak occurs. Symptoms can include eye pain, blurred or double vision, or a droopy eyelid.
After rupture: When blood escapes around the brain sudden severe symptoms result. Patients have a severe violent headache, changes in level of wakefulness, vomiting or seizures. Some symptoms can resemble a stroke such as problems speaking, moving an arm or leg, or face weakness. It is not unusual for the patient to have high blood pressure.
Aneurysm rupture is then defined further by the location of the bleed called a haemorrhage. Bleeding can occur in one or more places:
Subarachnoid haemorrhage: Bleeding into the subarachnoid space that surrounds the surface of the brain.
Intraventricular haemorrhage: Bleeding into the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) of the brain.
Intracerebral hemorrhage: Bleeding into the brain tissue.
Specialist speech therapy is a speech and language therapy practice which specialises in the assessment and treatment of people with speech, language and swallowing difficulties as a result of an aneurysm. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion of your needs or to arrange an appointment in Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands.
What is a cerebral aneurysm?
A cerebral aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery in the brain. It occurs when there is a weakness in the artery's wall. The bulge may slowly enlarge over time. It can rupture or burst and bleed.
What causes an aneurysm?
It is not known why some people get aneurysms. Some suggestions are:
A person can be born with a defect or weak area in one of the artery layers.
As a person ages, bulging occurs from the constant blood flow through the artery. High blood pressure may also cause growth.
Trauma can weaken or damage the artery wall.
Infection can weaken the artery wall.
What are the symptoms of a cerebral aneurysm?
Symptoms can occur:
Before rupture or bleeding
After rupture or bleeding
Before rupture: Most patients do not have any symptoms. Some may have some warning signs. That can happen if the aneurysm is getting bigger or if a small leak occurs. Symptoms can include eye pain, blurred or double vision, or a droopy eyelid.
After rupture: When blood escapes around the brain sudden severe symptoms result. Patients have a severe violent headache, changes in level of wakefulness, vomiting or seizures. Some symptoms can resemble a stroke such as problems speaking, moving an arm or leg, or face weakness. It is not unusual for the patient to have high blood pressure.
Aneurysm rupture is then defined further by the location of the bleed called a haemorrhage. Bleeding can occur in one or more places:
Subarachnoid haemorrhage: Bleeding into the subarachnoid space that surrounds the surface of the brain.
Intraventricular haemorrhage: Bleeding into the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) of the brain.
Intracerebral hemorrhage: Bleeding into the brain tissue.
Specialist speech therapy is a speech and language therapy practice which specialises in the assessment and treatment of people with speech, language and swallowing difficulties as a result of an aneurysm. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion of your needs or to arrange an appointment in Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands.