Brain aneurysms are dangerous and sometimes fatal conditions if they burst. However, many brain aneurysms remain unruptured. In fact, research from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation shows that almost 2% of American adults might have an unruptured brain aneurysm and not even know it. If you are like many patients who visit their trusted neurosurgeon in Los Angeles, you might be wondering why most brain aneurysms don’t cause symptoms that would be noticeable right away.
Why Most Brain Aneurysms Don’t Cause Symptoms
Anything that is isolated to the brain is likely to not have any symptoms due to the fact that the brain does not have its own senses. Oftentimes, patients will discover that they have an aneurysm because they are visiting the doctor for an unrelated reason. Keep reading to learn more about aneurysms and how to determine the best time to visit your local neurologist.
Are Dormant Aneurysms Dangerous?
If brain aneurysms go undetected, how can we possibly tell that there is one happening at all? Fortunately, an unruptured brain aneurysm may not be dangerous – but that does not mean that it isn’t difficult to detect. Understanding what brain aneurysms are can help you see why an unruptured one is unlikely to present symptoms.
Brain aneurysms form on thin spots caused by thinning vessels in the brain. This spot is filled with blood, making it bulge out. This bulging spot can grow larger and larger, although most grow to be no bigger than a pea. When the aneurysm leaks or bursts, this is known as hemorrhaging and could cause drastic effects.
Unruptured = Asymptomatic
While unruptured aneurysms may be safe, that doesn’t mean they aren’t causing activity in your brain. But the reason you cannot feel an isolated aneurysm is that the brain has no nociceptors. This means that the brain itself has no sensory capabilities and cannot feel pain, pressure, or discomfort until the aneurysm spreads to another part of the body.
That is why many patients find out about their aneurysms through a separate diagnosis. Chronic headaches, for example, maybe an indicator that the aneurysm is spreading – or that there is another condition in the same part of the body that a doctor may want to take a closer look at. Unruptured aneurysms are easy to remove, and those recently detected can be treated before they have the opportunity to burst.
Best Treatments for a Brain Aneurysm
There are several different treatment options available at the office of Dr. Yashar. Whether your aneurysm is unruptured or asymptomatic, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis ASAP. From there, specific treatments can be recommended.
The most common treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm is to cut off blood flow to the aneurysm itself. This can cause it to go away over time and it drastically reduces the risk of hemorrhaging. This may or may not be achieved through surgery, which is something you can discuss further with your neurological specialist. At the office of Dr. Yashar, we typically perform this procedure through a PED device or through Coil Embolization.
Protect Your Brain from Damage Today
Whether or not you are showing symptoms, it’s important to schedule regular appointments with your neurologist to determine if you are dealing with an aneurysm. Dr. Yashar is a top-rated specialist for brain aneurysms in Los Angeles, offering unique treatments that can help solve your individual needs.
We understand that a brain aneurysm is a scary thing to think about. Fortunately, you may not have to worry much about what that could lead to. Get in touch with us today and find out what kind of treatment plan would work best for you.
