Salman Khan Battling Brain Aneurysm:
Bollywood star Salman Khan disclosed on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' aired on June 21st about his neurological disorders. Among the three he mentioned was the brain aneurysm, revealing he’s undergoing treatment while continuing to work. Post this revelation, curiosity sparked on what this ailment is and how it manifests. To delve into the intricacies of brain aneurysms, insights were gathered from Dr. Abhilash Bansal, a senior consultant at Sparsh Hospital, Bangalore. Here’s everything you need to know about brain aneurysms.
Source: aajtak
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
Dr. Abhilash Bansal explained to Aajtak.in that a brain aneurysm is a bulge in a weak area of a blood vessel wall. Also known as cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, it resembles a berry hanging on a stem. This condition often affects individuals aged 30 to 60. In the US, around 30,000 cases emerge annually, with Japan recording the highest occurrence.
Imagine inflating a bicycle tube until a protrusion forms, indicating a weak spot—similarly, aneurysms appear as balloon-like bulges. While some remain intact, others rupture, potentially causing brain bleeding and unbearable pain. Unruptured aneurysms typically present fewer issues but pose serious risks if they rupture, potentially leading to stroke, paralysis, or fatality.
Source: aajtak
Causes of Brain Aneurysm
Dr. Abhilash highlights that brain aneurysms form due to blood pressure on weakened vessel walls, resulting in a balloon-like structure. Continuous pressure increases its size, potentially leading to rupture over time.
This is not a stress-induced ailment, but rather a mechanical issue. Personal habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes can contribute, and in some instances, genetic factors come into play, like ADPKD. Heavy workouts can cause aneurysms to burst due to sudden blood pressure spikes during intense physical exertion.
Source: aajtak
Types of Brain Aneurysms
Brain aneurysms are quite common globally, predominantly existing in three forms with saccular aneurysms being the most prevalent.
Saccular Aneurysm: Known as berry aneurysms, they appear like a small pouch filled with blood and form on brain arteries.
Fusiform Aneurysm: This involves blood pockets forming around arteries leading to multiple bulges.
Mycotic Aneurysm: When infections weaken arterial walls, it results in mycotic aneurysms.
Symptoms of Brain Aneurysm
Source: aajtak
Aneurysms often remain symptomless, but when they expand, pressure on neighboring nerves or brain tissue triggers symptoms like seizures, dementia, sharp head pains, thunderclap headaches, stiff necks, slurred speech, blurry or double vision, aversion to light, tingling in head or face, imbalance while walking, and enlarged eye pupils. Sometimes, bleeding can lead to severe, sudden headaches lasting from days to weeks.
Treatment for Brain Aneurysm
Source: aajtak
Dr. Abhilash explains, 'Treatment approaches vary depending on the aneurysm status. For unruptured aneurysms, angiogram-like intervention involves placing metal coils, termed endovascular coiling, to secure the aneurysm. Alternatively, an open surgery might be done to install a clip, preventing recurrence.
Should an aneurysm rupture, blood leakage triggers vasospasm as arteries constrict. In such conditions, maintaining high blood pressure becomes paramount to avoid diminishing the blood flow. This scenario often requires ICU and ventilator support due to complexity. Aneurysm rupture cases are prolonged and subsequent rehabilitation proves vital.
Risk Factor Associated with Brain Aneurysm
Per Mayo Clinic, brain aneurysms, although common, typically remain harmless unless ruptured. Often they are discovered incidentally during tests for other medical conditions. However, if detected, immediate treatment becomes vital to mitigate life-threatening consequences.
It's paramount to consult a medical professional if experiencing sudden, severe headaches and also proceed with recommended testing.
