A Serious Headache May Signal
Brain Aneurysm
If you’re like most women, your
head aches from time to time, and you can
usually pinpoint the cause. A stressful day,
one glass of red wine too many, a sudden
change in weather … these are all common
triggers.
But if you experience a sudden, horrible headache, especially with nausea or vomiting, go straight to the emergency room. The worst headache of your life could actually be the first sign of a brain aneurysm—a weak or thin spot in a blood vessel that bulges like a water balloon. Symptoms this severe usually mean it has ruptured, causing bleeding in the brain.
A Hidden Danger
Since most aneurysms don’t cause any symptoms until they rupture, you could have a small one for years and not know. About 5 percent of Americans have a brain aneurysm. Most are present since birth, but an accident or illness can also damage blood vessels.Aneurysms are often discovered during brain scans for other problems. However, some press on nerves, causing:
- Double vision
- Stiff neck
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
- Droopy eyelid
A ruptured aneurysm is an emergency—get help right away. Along with a severe headache, symptoms can include loss of consciousness, seizures, or confusion.
How They’re Treated
Treatment for aneurysms usually involves surgery. Most often, a neurosurgeon inserts a clamp or metal coil into your blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the bulge. This is traditionally done through the skull, but a new, less invasive approach—called endovascular aneurysm repair—involves guiding a catheter through a small incision in your groin or another area.New approaches like this one allow neurosurgeons to treat aneurysms that they couldn’t before. However, even repaired aneurysms carry a risk of bursting again. See your doctor regularly after surgery and stick to a healthy lifestyle.
