Brain Aneurysm vs Stroke: Explained with 6 Easy Points

Brain aneurysm occurs when there is a weak blood vessel in your brain, which balloons and fills with blood. It results in a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Brain stroke can happen due to a rupture in this bulge caused by aneurysm. The lifestyle habits that you should follow to prevent both brain aneurysm and stroke are very similar.

These diseases are both dangerous and at times can be fatal. They may lead to conditions like bipolar disorder. They can take place anytime at any age, causing permanent damage to your brain. Both these conditions involve issues related to the blood vessels in your head and are similar in many ways, which is why you may get confused. Read ahead to understand how brain aneurysm and stroke can affect you and how both these diseases can be treated.

Additional Read: Types of Bipolar Disorder

What is brain aneurysm? 

Brain aneurysm, also called intracranial aneurysm, is a condition in which there is a weak blood vessel that balloons with blood inside the brain. Most of these aneurysms occur between the base of your skull and the thin tissues covering your brain [1]. If these aneurysms leak or rupture, they can cause permanent brain damage, bleeding or in extreme cases death. However, most aneurysms may not rupture but create health problems or cause various symptoms. These kinds of aneurysms are usually detected by tests.

What are the symptoms of a brain aneurysm? 

There can be two types of symptoms depending on whether it has ruptured or not.

Brain aneurysm symptoms without rupture are: 

• Double vision 
• Blurred vision
• Finding hard to speak
• Pain in the eye
• Headache
• Dilated pupils
• Drooping eyelid
• Numbness and weakness on any side of the face

Brain aneurysm symptoms with rupture are: 

• Sudden intense headaches that become unbearable 
• Vomiting and nausea
• Loss in balance while walking or in normal coordination
• Drowsiness
• Stiffness in neck
• Unconsciousness
• Light sensitivity
• Seizure
• Decline in mental awareness 

If you feel any of these symptoms. get medical help immediately. Brain aneurysms don’t usually show many symptoms but it is always better to keep a close watch on them.

What is the treatment for an aneurysm? 

Can brain aneurysms be treated? The answer is yes. Treatment for a brain aneurysm can also be classified into two types depending on whether it is for a ruptured or unruptured aneurysm.

For ruptured aneurysm treatment, you need immediate medical care as it is likely to bleed again. It is important to stop the blood flow into the aneurysm to prevent excess bleeding. These kinds of procedures carry a lot of risks which is why doctors guide you through the whole process and figure out which treatment will work best for you.

Ruptured brain aneurysm treatments include the following. 

• Surgery for clipping the aneurysm to cut of blood flow, known as surgical clipping 
• Surgically inserting a stent inside an artery to divert the blood away, known as flow divertor surgery 
• Surgery that doesn’t require opening the skull, instead a catheter is placed on the affected blood vessel, known as endovascular coiling

The unruptured brain aneurysm causing no symptoms may not require any treatment. Consult a doctor and make sure to take care of your health.

What is stroke? 

When blood supply to a part of your brain is cut, stroke can occur. It happens as this phenomenon causes the brain tissues to die due to oxygen and nutrient loss. Stroke is a health condition that causes long-term disability [2]. There are two kinds of strokes namely: 

• Ischemic stroke 

This stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked and the brain tissue gets permanently damaged due to lack of oxygen or blood flow 

• Hemorrhagic stroke 

This kind of stroke occurs when there is any bleeding in the brain

Additional Read: Stroke in Brain

Prevention against brain aneurysm

What are the symptoms of a stroke? 

It is very important to know the signs of a stroke as getting treatment immediately is an important factor in speedy recovery [3]. The key symptoms in a stroke are: 

• Problems with your vision
• Splitting headaches
• Issues with speech
• Lack in coordination
• Numbness in the body
• Paralysis of hands, legs or face 

What is the treatment for a stroke? 

The treatment of stroke again depends on which kind of stroke it is. 

To treat an ischemic stroke, doctors have to restore blood flow to the brain immediately. This can be done through the following methods: 

• IV injection or medication 
• Endovascular procedures that involve
• Medications given directly to the brain
• Removing clot with the use of a stent retriever 

Stroke and brain aneurysm prevention methods include controlling your high blood pressure and avoiding smoking. Undergoing a stroke or brain aneurysm test at the right time helps in early prognosis. If you are facing any neurological conditions, be aware and in control of your lifestyle. Book an online doctor consultation with a top neurologist on Bajaj Finserv Health to have a better understanding of your condition.

Acting on time will help you take care of yourself better. For affordable health insurance policies, you can avail Bajaj Health Insurance Plans for family and secure your and your loved one’s health. These Bajaj Health Insurance Plans come with benefits like telemedicine, network discounts and a comprehensive medical coverage.