An aneurysm is defined as "an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst, causing internal bleeding and potentially leading to death."
A migraine is described as "a throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head," according to The Mayo Clinic.
The Story of Lee Broadway
On April 1, 2017, Lee Broadway, a wife and mother of four, tragically passed away from a brain aneurysm after experiencing a severe migraine. She had been dealing with migraine headaches since she was eight years old.
Her husband, Eric Broadway, was initially assured by emergency room doctors that "Everything looks good," only to be told two hours later that "There's nothing we can do."
Eric revealed that a severe complication occurred during his wife's aneurysm procedure, which led to excessive bleeding in her brain.
Lee's life, along with what would have been her 42nd birthday on April 8th, was commemorated by friends and family just five days after her passing.
Public Education Initiative
Upon hearing Lee's story, Dr. Howard A. Riina, a neurosurgery professor and vice chairman at NYU Langone Medical Center, felt compelled to take action. He began by educating the public on the characteristics of aneurysms and their differences from migraines.
Dr. Riina explains the pain from an aneurysm versus that from a migraine (emphasis by the writer):
"It's like the worst headache of one's life. It's not uncommon for someone to arrive at the emergency room—even with a history of headaches or migraines—and report feeling as if struck by lightning or having a headache that forced them to their knees. It's a severe, extraordinary headache."
He continues, detailing how individuals with migraine histories can discern the difference:
"Those with migraines may experience auras (visual disturbances) and have certain routines to alleviate the pain—like resting in a dark, quiet room and taking medication. However, if these methods fail, it could indicate an aneurysm. It's a distinct headache, with the primary symptom being a sensation of a headache unlike any other."
In essence, if you suffer from migraines and your usual self-care methods are ineffective, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
A FEW ANEURYSM FACTS
1. Aneurysms are rare.
Dr. Riina notes that brain aneurysms are quite rare, with an occurrence of about 30,000 to 50,000 cases annually, and ruptured aneurysms are even less common.
2. UNRUPTURED ANEURYSMS AFFECT MILLIONS GLOBALLY
He estimates that 5 to 10 percent of the global population may have an unruptured aneurysm, which translates to approximately 350 to 700 million individuals.
3. MOST UNRUPTURED ANEURYSMS ARE ASYMPTOMATIC
Riina believes that only about 1 to 2 percent of aneurysms rupture each year, and in most instances, they do not cause any noticeable symptoms.
4. FAMILY HISTORY IS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR
Riina advises that if a close relative has had an aneurysm, it should be mentioned to one's primary care physician or neurologist.
5. CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES INCREASE RISK
Conditions like polycystic kidney disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, along with lifestyle choices such as a high-fat diet and smoking, can elevate the risk of developing a brain aneurysm.
He adds that the probability of having an aneurysm is relatively low unless there is a family history or one of the aforementioned conditions. Therefore, the average person does not need to urgently seek screening.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
WebMD lists the common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm as:
- A drooping eyelid
- Blurred or double vision
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizure
- Sensitivity to light
- Sudden, extremely severe headache
For an unruptured aneurysm, the symptoms may include, if present:
- A dilated pupil
- Changes in vision or double vision
- Numbness on one side of the face
- Pain above and behind one eye
WebMD recommends calling 911 if you experience a sudden, extreme headache, loss of consciousness, or a seizure.
Source: powerofpositivity.com
I suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2019. I had no warning sign. I woke up with the worst pain I had ever experienced at the back of my head. It was a pain that told me something was wrong. I called 911 and gained conscious cognativity two month later.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby Gord had his ruptured brain aneurysm in 2011. He had the coiling technique done, and returned to work 6 weeks later! Very blessed! He's doing very well, hope you are too.
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