What is Aneurysm?

An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or bloating of an artery due to weakness of the blood vessel. An aneurysm is dangerous since it may burst, thus spilling blood in the area around the blood vessel. The sickness can occur in a blood vessel, in the aorta, in the brain, or even in a peripheral blood vessel.

An aneurysm may occur in any artery of the body but usually occurs in the aorta, the largest artery of the body, which connects the heart to the abdomen. Aortic aneurysms are commonly found around the abdominal cavity (often called abdominal aortic aneurysms) but can also occur in the thoracic cavity chest region, where they are called thoracic aortic aneurysms. Most commonly, folks who acquire aortic aneurysms are Caucasian males above 60 years and have atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, or a hereditary history of aneurysms. Cigarette smoking is also a well-known risk drive for the development of an aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is projected to occur in about 1.3 percent of men aged ranging from ages 45 to 54 and 12.5 percent of men within 75 and 84 years of age in the US.

Details About The Common Aneurysms Types:

1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

From 2 and 8 percent of adults live with abdominal aortic aneurysms, but they are more common among aged male smokers. Men of about 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should go through a one-time ultrasound examination for this condition. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms may show no symptoms, but the larger ones may exhibit pain or a throbbing feeling deep down the abdomen. A ruptured aneurysm may cause sudden, serious pain in the lower back or belly, vomiting, sweaty skin, nausea, lightheadedness, or even fainting.

2. Cerebral (Brain) Aneurysm

An estimated 13,000,000 folks in the US have a brain aneurysm, based on discoveries from some studies and autopsies. But most folks will live their whole lives unknowing they have one and may die of something unrelated. Only about 30 thousand rupture each year, with most of the ruptures happening in folks over the age of 50. The basic symptom is a sudden and severe headache; other signs may include loss of consciousness, vomiting, nausea, and seizures. Anyone with more direct relatives (a sibling, parent, or child) with a brain aneurysm ought to be screened starting at age twenty (20).

3. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

An estimated 1 in 10,000 folks has a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The big risk of this uncommon condition is a dissection, a split in the inner lining of the aorta, which can cause a blood-filled opening that disrupts blood circulation to the body. Symptoms may include rapid, severe, sharp pain in the thoracic region, neck, or back. Folks who have directives relatives with a thoracic aneurysm ought to be examined.

4. Aortic Aneurysm

In this aneurysm type, the main artery that leaves the cardiac region (heart) is affected, thus causing an aneurysm.

6. Popliteal Aneurysm

This type occurs when the popliteal artery located behind the knee is affected.

7. Splenic Aneurysm

This kind of aneurysm happens when the splenic artery, the main artery in the spleen, is questionably affected. Common in pregnant mothers, this aneurysm type is caused spontaneously and may not be connected to any congenital defect.

What Causes an Aneurysm?

Aneurysms are majorly caused by weakness in the lining of a cerebral vein, or artery, aortic artery, or even peripheral artery. The defect may result from complications present at birth (congenital), from hiding conditions such as hypertensive vascular condition and atherosclerosis (accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries), or from a past traumatic experience to the site of the aneurysm.

High bad cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking may increase the risk of certain kinds of aneurysms. High blood pressure and even smoking are known to add to the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Atherosclerotic conditions (arterial cholesterol buildup) may also cause the development of some aneurysms. Pregnancy is frequently associated with the formation and rupture of splenic artery aneurysms.

Some inherited conditions affecting the connective tissues of the body, like Marfan’s syndrome, also raise one’s risk of growing certain kinds of aneurysms.

What Are These Risk Factors For Aneurysm?

Several factors raise the risk of having an aneurysm. Not all individuals with these risk factors will develop an aneurysm.

Risk Factors for Aneurysm

The following factors make the development of an aneurysm easy;

• Atherosclerosis
• Advanced age
• Caucasian race
• Family history
• Estrogen deficiency from menopause
• Genetic conditions of connective tissue, like Marfan’s syndrome
• High blood pressure
• Pre-existing blood vessel malformations
• Male gender
• Smoking or other tobacco use

What Are The Symptoms Of Aneurysm?

The symptoms of aneurysms can gradually develop over several years. So many people have no indications, while others may experience several signs that vary in intensity within different individuals. This variation is dependent on the rate of growth, location, and size of the aneurysm.

• General Symptoms of an Intracranial Aneurysm

Amazingly, aneurysms, most of the time, do not produce signs. Nonetheless, if an intracranial aneurysm ruptures, any of these aneurysm indications may surface and can be really serious:

• Loss of consciousness for even a few moment or confusion
• Blurred or double vision
• Seizures and tremors
• Drooping eyelid
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Dilated pupil
• Stiff neck
• An increased sensitivity to light
• Pulsing sensation
• Severe headache

Serious Indications that Might Indicate a Life-threatening Condition

In some cases, aneurysms can be a life-threatening sickness. Seek immediate medical attention should you, or some folks close to you are with, have any of the list-below life-threatening signs, including:

• Abdominal, lower back, or pelvic pain that can be severe
• Loss of consciousness for even some moments or confusion.
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Numbness, paralysis, or weakness of one side of the face
• Worst headache of your life
• Slurred or garbled speech or inability to speak
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fast breathing (tachypnea) or shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

How to Lower Your Risk of Aneurysm

You can readily lower your risk of getting an aneurysm by:

• Keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level
• Getting regular physical activity
• Decreasing the amount of cholesterol and fat in your diet
• Maintaining normal blood pressure.
• Quitting smoking and other tobacco use

Prevention

To further minimize your risk of getting an aneurysm, maintain your blood pressure below 130/80-millimeter mercury (the lower it is, the better, in as much you do not feel lightheaded), and do not smoke, according to a medical doctor. A healthy ration and frequent exercise are also vital. If you are discovered to have an aneurysm via examination or by chance, it is pertinent to visit a specialist who can examine your condition. Often, that means occasional imaging tests and also sometimes, a procedure to reduce the risk of a rupture.

How Is An Aneurysm Treated?

Treatment for this disease (aneurysms) starts with seeking medical attention from your health care specialist. To know if you have any trace of aneurysm, your health care specialist will ask you to go through several diagnostic screenings.

Treatment of an aneurysm is dependent on the location, size, and type of aneurysm. An enlarging or expanding aneurysm in the aorta often necessitates emergency treatment, and surgery is often recommended. The type of surgery and when it is required will depend on the signs, size, and type of aneurysm. Some folks may also have endovascular stent repair. A stent is a minute tube placed within a blood artery or vein to keep the vessels open or strengthen its wall.

Some kinds of aneurysms that are minute or not life-threatening may be cautiously watched by a doctor or health care specialist. Such observation needs regular medical care and screening. Ultrasound imaging is often used to monitor the potential development of the aneurysm. The decision of whether or not to perform surgery needs to balance the risk of surgical problems against the risk of problems from the aneurysm itself.

You are not advised in any way to keep any of the signs of an aneurysm you notice all to yourself; feel free to communicate your health status with your health specialist. However, should you be exhibiting symptoms of an aneurysm, ensure the points below are NEVER forgotten in its treatment approach.

Common Treatments of Aneurysm Include;

• Surgical repair of the aneurysm
• Control of risk factors
• Blood pressure management
• Observation and monitoring