What is an Aneurysm
An Aneurysm is a ballooning or bulging out of a weakened area of the wall of an artery or vein, usually near a junction. The vessel will bulge or balloon out, often similar to a berry on a vine. Aneurysms can occur on any artery or vein but are most common on the arteries at the base of the brain and the aorta. When this balloon bursts, or ruptures it causes a hemorrhage or bleeding, in essence, a hemorrhagic stroke and is a serious medical emergency.
The Prevalence of Aneurysms
The statistics for Aneurysms are grim at best, and very often conflicting. In the United States alone some 30,000 people per year experience a ruptured Cerebral, more commonly called a Brain Aneurysm. Of these, some 60% die or suffer permanent disability. Some 50% of the survivors will suffer significant neuropsychological dysfunction as a result of the Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-the bleeding of the burst Aneurysm into the Brains Subarachnoid spaces. Some sources in the United States have estimated that approximately 1 in 15 people will develop a Brain Aneurysm in their lifetime.
Another 14,000 Americans per year die from Aortic Aneurysms. The Aorta is the bodys largest artery. It extends from the heart to the abdomen, where it branches into two smaller arteries. The biggest part of Aortic Aneurysms, about 75%, occur in the section of the artery contained within the abdomen. These are commonly referred to as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, or, more simply AAA. The remaining 25% of Aortic Aneurysms occur in the Thoracic area of the artery higher up in the chest, and are referred to as Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.
Brain Aneurysm
When a Cerebral or Brain Aneurysm ruptures, it bleeds into the Subarachnoid space, a condition known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or, more simply, a Hemorrhagic Stroke. This condition is associated with a tragically high fatality or disabilities (such as paralysis and mental impairment) rate though some do survive with few or no lasting effects.
An un-ruptured Brain Aneurysm generally produces no, or very subtle, symptoms. A Ruptured Brain Aneurysm on the other hand, as a rule, produces sudden and severe symptoms that may include some or all of the following.
Sudden and Several Headache called a Thunderclap headache. The most common symptom and typically described by patients as the worse headache of their lives.
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness or numbness in any part of the body
Impaired speech
Stiffness in Neck
Double vision, loss of vision or other sudden vision changes
Seizures
Confusion, lethargy, or other changes in mental status
Drooping eyelids
If you, a friend, or loved one is experiencing these symptoms, you need to get immediate medical help quickly, minutes count.
Abdominal Aortic and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
An Abdominal Aortic (AAA) or Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA), like a Cerebral Aneurysms, is also life threatening should it rupture. When these Aneurysms burst they may cause severe internal bleeding, which can rapidly lead to shock or death.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms often do not exhibit symptoms. When they do occur they may be considered vague and are often overlooked. Symptoms of an un-ruptured AAA may include some or all of the following.
A pulsing sensation in the abdomen
Mild to severe pain located in the abdomen, back, or groin.
The primary symptom of a ruptured AAA usually includes sudden sever, sometimes described as excruciating pain in the lower back, flank, abdomen and groin. Nausea and vomiting, along with clammy, sweaty skin, lightheadedness, and a rapid heart rate when standing has also been noted.
If you, a friend, or loved one is experiencing these symptoms, you need to get immediate medical help quickly, minutes count.
A Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, as with a Cerebral Aneurysm and AAA, may not display any symptoms until they rupture. When they do display symptoms they may include some or all of the following.
Pain in the jaw, neck, and upper back
Chest or back pain
Coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing
If a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm ruptures, common symptoms generally include sudden, severe pain starting in your upper back and moving down into your abdomen. You may also have pain in your chest and arms.
If you, a friend, or loved one is experiencing these symptoms, you need to get immediate medical help quickly, minutes count.
As anyone who has experienced a Ruptured Aneurysm knows, be it Cerebral, Abdominal, or Thoracic, it is one of the most traumatic and terrifying events, a human being can endure. Aneurysms strike without warning, many times in the prime of life and are often fatal. Just as often, the survivors of Aneurysms are left with crippled bodies, shattered lives, and families torn apart.
Regardless of where an Aneurysm occurs, it is a catastrophic event. The damage and, often, forced isolation an Aneurysm, particularly a Brain Aneurysm, can produce is devastating. Thus, the function of this site is to provide survivors of Aneurysms, and their families with a place and the means to communicate, ask questions, exchange information, and share their stories or the story of a loved one.
It is our hope, that this website becomes a truly interactive site, that each visitor will come to consider their own. That it becomes a resource and a means, to share our experiences and learn from one another, remember a loved one, find some comfort, and, perhaps, relieve a bit of the isolation that this disease often forces upon us.
To achieve that end, the website contains a forum-message board to allow conversations and discussions between members as well as galleries for you to post stories of your experience and photographs. If all goes well, we have plans to expand the site further, including member galleries and blogs for those interested.
We Want To Hear From You
Your ideas and opinions are important to us and we would like to hear any suggestions or criticisms you have that would improve this website. Please do not hesitate to contact us or post your comments on the forum.
Nothing on this website should, in any way be considered medical advice. It is presented as general information only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any type of medical condition. I am not a doctor, nurse, or any other type of medical or health care professional. Nor am I an expert on Aneurysms. However, I am an expert on the experience of having suffered a ruptured Aneurysm and the subsequent treatment I received. This site should not be considered to be, nor is it intended to be, a definitive source of information regarding Aneurysms. I have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of any information presented here, but again, I am not a medical professional and my own interpretation of this information could be in error.