We often hear about people collapsing and then going into coma and eventual death. Their demise is sudden and we often wonder what may have occurred inside the person to cause such vicious death. People call this stroke in non-technical language and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in medical terms. The most common reason for this sudden occurrence is aneurysm.
What is Brain or Cerebral Aneurysm?
Brain aneurysm is a condition where the arteries of the brain contain lipid deposits and other substances that cause it to dilate and become weak. Sometimes they rupture and cause stroke or CVA, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Aneurysm can also be classified according to the severity of the stroke, from Grade 1 to Grade 6, the latter causing death while the former causing mild headaches.
What are the Causes of Cerebral Aneurysm?
Things to avoid for a healthy brain
This can be cause by cholesterol and lipid deposits in the brain arteries, which can block the blood flow causing rupture or weakening of the brain’s arteries. Blood clots can be one cause of cerebral aneurysm. Just like any other cells in the body, brain cells need oxygen to survive, so the absence of oxygen will cause the neurons to die.
It could also be because of congenital reasons. A family history of stroke is an indication that a person has a higher risk to having an attack. Trauma to the head can also be one cause. There are other types of aneurysms involving different organs in the body like the heart and others.
Avoid fatty foods to prevent fat deposits in the arteries, especially the cranial arteries.
How is it Detected?
The most non-invasive procedure to detect aneurysm is through a Computed Tomography (CT) scan that scans the brain of any hemorrhage. You can also use angiography, which works just like a CT scan making use of radio waves to create an image of the brain.
How Do You Cure Cerebral Aneurysm?
The surgeon can perform endovascular coiling or clipping, where the arteries can be coiled or clipped to control bleeding. Subsequent prevention of complications from the brain surgery is observed.
Pointers for Cerebral Aneurysm
- If you experience constant headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and vomiting, then you have to consult a physician.
- Avoid fatty foods to prevent fat deposits in the arteries, especially the cranial arteries.
- Avoid cigarette and alcohol as people with these vices have greater risk to aneurysm
- If you have a family history of cerebral aneurysm, then take extra precaution in maintaining a vice free lifestyle.
- If you have a debilitating condition, then you should have a regular check-up with your physician.
- Do not immediately take in analgesics when you have a headache. Observe first if the headache progresses. If it becomes more severe, then you will have to consult your doctor.
- Since head trauma is one of the causes of stroke, ascertain there are no hemorrhages after head traumas.
The brain is an organ that needs to be nurtured and tended to promptly and regularly. Have a healthy brain by observing all necessary conditions and precautions. A healthy brain is an essential factor in being whole and well.
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