Berly Brain AneurysmDefinitionA brain aneurysm is the swollen balloon-like structure of an artery in the brain when an arterial wall is weakened 1. Because of this weakness, the artery is unable to withstand the pressure of blood pumped by the heart. The result is an aneurysm, which can rupture (causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage) 2. A saccular aneurysm or berry forms a sac-like sac of blood attached to the stem of an artery or a group of blood vessels, similar to a berry hanging on a branch 3. Epidemiology According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), up to 300,000 people living in the United States suffer from a subarachnoid hemorrhage each year, while it is estimated that about 6% of Americans can live with an unruptured aneurysm. AANS statistical analysis also revealed that the incidence varies around the world, ranging from approximately 5.1 to 19.6 cases per 100,000 people. Leblanc (1997) concluded that the prevalence of cerebral aneurysms among families ranges from 5 to 28%, linking an underlying but unclear genetic factor to the condition. Symptoms Symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm include double vision, dilated pupils, pain surrounding the eye, and new unexplained headaches, while a ruptured subarachnoid hemorrhage can include sudden, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, and discharge. transient of consciousness or sight. 4.TreatmentThere are three main treatments available, according to the AANS. Medical (non-surgical) therapy is used to treat an unruptured aneurysm, including working with a doctor to design lifestyle changes that will return blood vessels to normal, as well as blood pressure control (if a patient has high blood pressure high). blood pressure)...... middle of paper ...... balance, feeling of numbness or tingling in the limbs, personality changes or mood swings, memory problems, inability to concentrate and/or weakness in a 'body area 10. These symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of other conditions or diseases, so it is often difficult to self-diagnose when experiencing any of the above symptoms. Treatment Surgical removal is the first choice after successful identification and diagnosis of a brain tumor, however the location of the tumor within the brain may not always allow for easy removal via surgery. In these cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used to kill cancer cells in inaccessible regions of the brain. Because the latter two options can cause debilitating side effects in other tissues, post-treatment rehabilitation may be necessary for the patient to regain healthy body functions again. 10.