Content

• Steps

An aneurysm occurs when an artery enlarges or swells due to an injury or the wall of a vessel is weakened. Aneurysms can occur anywhere, but most commonly in the aorta (the main artery from the heart) and in the brain. The size of the aneurysm may vary depending on factors involved such as trauma, pathology, genetics or congenital. The aneurysm as it grows larger has a higher risk of rupture and massive bleeding. Most cases of aneurysm are asymptomatic and have a high mortality rate (between 65% -80%), so it is essential to get medical attention immediately.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Detection of cerebral aneurysm

1. 

   Don't let go of a sudden, severe headache. If an artery in the brain bursts from an aneurysm, a severe headache will occur suddenly. Headache is an important symptom of a ruptured aneurysm.
   • Headaches are often much more severe than normal headaches.
   • The headache is usually in a well-defined location where a ruptured blood vessel is present.
   • For example, if an artery near the eye bursts, you will notice a sharp pain in the eye.
   • Headaches may also be accompanied by nausea, disorientation, and / or vomiting.

2. 

   
   
   Watch out for visual disturbances. One-to-two vision, impaired vision, blurred or blind vision indicate cerebral aneurysm. Vision disturbances are caused by pressure on the artery walls near the eye, blocking blood flow to the eye.
   • The optic nerve can also be pinched due to hematoma, causing the image to appear blurred or double vision.
   • Blindness in this case is caused by ischemia in the retina, when the blood flow is insufficient to reach the retinal tissues.

3. 

   
   
   Look in the mirror to check for dilated pupils. Dilated pupils are a common symptom of cerebral aneurysms caused by blockage of an artery near the eye. Usually, the pupil in one eye is much more dilated than in the other eye. The damaged eye also appears more lethargic and insensitive to light.
   • Dilated pupils are caused by pressure from the blood that accumulates in the brain.
   • Dilated pupils may indicate an aneurysm that has just occurred due to artery damage near the eye.

4. 

   
   
   Pay attention to eye pain. A feeling of vibration and intense pain in the eye when an aneurysm occurs.
   • This happens when an artery near the eye is damaged.
   • The pain usually occurs in one eye, the side of the brain with an aneurysm.

5. 

   Look for stiff neck. A stiff neck usually occurs when a nerve in the neck is damaged by a ruptured artery.
   • The ruptured artery doesn't have to be near the pain in the neck.
   • This is because nerves in the neck radiate throughout the neck and head. The pain goes beyond the site of the aneurysm.

6. 

   Look for signs of weakness. Half-body weakness is a common sign of an aneurysm, depending on which side of the brain is damaged.
   • Damage to the right hemisphere of the brain will paralyze the left half.
   • Conversely, if the left brain hemisphere is damaged, the right half of the person will be paralyzed.

7. 

   Seek emergency now. 40% of the rupture of the aneurysm resulted in death, and 66% of the survivors had brain damage. If you exhibit any of the above symptoms, call the emergency services immediately (the emergency number in Vietnam is 115).
   • Doctors recommend that patients do not drive themselves or let family members take patients to the hospital. An aneurysm can collapse very quickly, so it's dangerous to let people drive themselves.
   • Call an ambulance to keep you and others safe. The medical staff will get you into hospital faster and can perform emergency procedures while on the move.
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Method 2 of 4: Detect aortic aneurysm

1. 

   Aortic aneurysm may include abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the extremities of the body, and aneurysms that occur in the aorta can fall into two subtypes:
   • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An aneurysm that occurs in the abdomen is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is the most common form of aneurysm and has a death rate of up to 80%.
   • Chest aneurysm (TAA). This type of aneurysm occurs in the chest area, above the diaphragm. When a thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs, the area near the heart becomes enlarged and affects the valve between the heart and the aorta. Then in the heart will happen reflux blood phenomenon, causing damage to the heart muscle.

2. 

   Watch for severe pain in your stomach or back. Unusual and sudden severe pain in your abdomen or back can be a symptom of an aneurysm or thoracic aneurysm.
   • The pain is caused by an enlarged artery pressing against the surrounding organs and muscles.
   • The pain does not go away on its own and changing positions does not relieve the pain either.

3. 

   Watch for nausea and vomiting. If you experience nausea and vomiting with severe abdominal pain or back pain, the abdominal aortic aneurysm is probably ruptured.
   • Constipation and difficulty urinating may occur. Stiffness can also suddenly appear.

4. 

   Pay attention to dizziness. Dizziness occurs when a large amount of blood is lost from the rupture of an aortic aneurysm sac.
   • Dizziness can also cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy with these symptoms, try to sit down slowly and carefully.

5. 

   Check your heart rate. A sudden increase in heart rate is a response to internal blood loss and anemia due to rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

6. 

   Touch the skin to see if it is cold. Cold skin is a symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
   • This is caused by a blockage (a moving blood clot) that forms from an aneurysm and affects the temperature on the skin's surface.

7. 

   Watch for sudden chest pain and hissing sounds. The thoracic aneurysm occurs in the chest area, so an enlarged artery can press against the chest area, causing pain and hissing sound when breathing.
   • The chest pain was very throbbing and severe.
   • Dull chest pain is probably not an aneurysm symptom.

8. 

   Try swallowing to see if it is difficult to swallow. Difficulty swallowing may indicate thoracic aortic aneurysm.
   • Difficulty swallowing can be caused by an enlarged aorta that presses the esophagus and makes it difficult to swallow.

9. 

   Hear husky voice or not. An enlarged artery can compress the vocal cords, including the vocal cords, and lead to hoarseness.
   • Hoarseness occurs suddenly, does not come slowly as the case of a cold.
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Method 3 of 4: Determine the disease through medical diagnosis

1. 

   Ultrasound for a preliminary diagnosis. Ultrasound is a painless technique that uses sound waves to see and take pictures of parts of the body.
   • This technique can only be used to diagnose aortic aneurysm.

2. 

   Computed tomography (CT-Scan). This technique uses X-rays to take pictures of the body's internal structures. The CT-Scan technique is painless and provides more detailed images than ultrasound. This is a good option if your doctor suspects an aneurysm or wants to rule out other conditions.
   • During the scan, the doctor injects a contrast agent into the blood vessel to see the aorta and other arteries on a CT scan.
   • This technique can be used to diagnose all types of aneurysms.
   • You can have a CT scan during a routine checkup even if there is no suspicion of an aneurysm. This is a great way to identify an aneurysm early.

3. 

   See magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. This technique uses magnetic fields and radio waves to observe organs and other structures inside the body. The technique is also painless and is effective in detecting, locating, and measuring aneurysms.
   • Instead of just two-dimensional imaging, the MRI technique can provide three-dimensional scans of the blood vessels in the brain.
   • The MRI technique can be used to diagnose all types of aneurysms.
   • In some cases, MRI and cerebral angiography may be combined to support each other in the diagnosis.
   • Using radio waves and computer-generated magnetic fields, MRI scans can give more detailed pictures of the blood vessels in the brain than CT scans.
   • This technique is safe and painless.
   • Unlike X-rays, MRI scans do not emit radiation, and are therefore safe for those who need to avoid radiation, such as pregnant women.

4. 

   Angiography to check the inside of the artery. This technique uses X-rays and a special contrast medium to look inside the damaged artery.
   • This technique shows the extent and extent of the artery damage - the buildup of plaque and artery blockage can be easily seen.
   • Brain angiography is only used to detect cerebral aneurysm. This is an invasive procedure that uses a small tube inserted into the leg and is led up through the circulatory system.
   • This procedure can determine the exact location of the broken artery in the brain.
   • After an injection of the contrast, a series of MRI or X-ray techniques are performed to obtain detailed images of the blood vessels in the brain.
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Method 4 of 4: Understanding aneurysms

1. 

   Understand the causes of a cerebral aneurysm. An aneurysm occurs when an artery in the brain weakens and forms an aneurysm before it ruptures. They usually form in the branches of the artery, the weakest part of the blood vessel.
   • When the aneurysm ruptures, continuous bleeding occurs in the brain.
   • Blood poisoning the brain, and bleeding that occurs is often called hemorrhagic syndrome.
   • Most cerebral aneurysms occur in the subarachnoid space, between the brain and the skull.

2. 

   Be aware of risk factors. Cerebral aneurysm and aortic aneurysm share many of the risk factors. Some factors cannot be controlled, such as genetics, but others can be reduced with healthy lifestyle choices. Here are some of the risk factors for cerebral aneurysm and aortic aneurysm:
   • Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of both types of aneurysms.
   • High blood pressure, damage to blood vessels and mucous membranes of the aorta.
   • Age also increases the risk of cerebral aneurysms, which usually occur after age 50. As we age, the aorta becomes stiffer, increasing the risk of aneurysms.
   • The inflammation can damage and lead to an aneurysm. Conditions such as vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) can cause damage and scarring in the aorta.
   • Injuries such as falls or traffic accidents can damage the aorta.
   • Infections such as syphilis can damage the lining of the aorta. Fungal or bacterial infections in the brain can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of aneurysms.
   • Substance use or abuse, especially cocaine consumption and excessive alcohol consumption, can cause high blood pressure and lead to an aneurysm.
   • Gender is also a risk factor for an aneurysm. Men have a higher rate of developing aortic aneurysm than women, but women have a higher rate of developing cerebral aneurysm.
   • Certain genetic factors, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome (both associated with tissue disorders), can weaken blood vessels in the brain and aorta.

3. 

   Stop smoking. Smoking is believed to contribute to the formation and rupture of a cerebrovascular aneurysm. Cigarette smoking is also the single biggest risk factor for abdominal aneurysm (AAA). Up to 90% of patients with an aortic aneurysm have a history of smoking.
   • The earlier you quit smoking, the sooner you reduce your risk of disease.

4. 

   Monitor blood pressure. High blood pressure damages the brain blood vessels and aortic lining, leading to the development of an aneurysm.
   • Weight loss can lower blood pressure levels in case of being overweight or obese. Just lose 5 kg and you can see the difference.
   • Exercise regularly. You can lower your blood pressure if you spend 30 minutes a day doing moderate intensity exercises.
   • Limit alcoholic beverages. Do not drink more than 1-2 drinks a day (1 drink for women, and 2 drinks for men).

5. 

   Control your diet. Maintaining healthy blood vessels is also a way to prevent aneurysm. A healthy diet can also reduce the risk of aneurysm sac formation and rupture. A balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can help prevent aneurysms.
   • Reduce sodium in the diet. Limiting your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day (1,500 mg a day for people with high blood pressure) will help keep your blood pressure under control.
   • Lower cholesterol levels. Foods rich in soluble fibers, especially oatmeal and oat bran, can help lower "bad" cholesterol levels. Apples, pears, kidney beans, barley and plums are also high in soluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish such as sardines, tuna, salmon, or halibut can help reduce your risk.
   • Eat good fats. Be sure to avoid saturated and trans fat. Fatty from fish and vegetable oils (like olive oil), nuts and seeds that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can help reduce the risk of disease. Avocados are also a good source of "good" fats and help lower cholesterol levels.
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