What is a brain aneurysm? A brain aneurysm is an enlarged part of a blood vessel that is in the brain. Technology has provided surgeons a way to find better ways to treat these aneurysms. New and improved brain aneurysms are saving lives.
Though most people who have a brain aneurysm do not know about it, there are a few symptoms that on should look out for. Vision changes, seizures, facial pains, nausea, neck pain, dilated pupils and loss of sensation are several different signs that may mean that one has a ruptured aneurysm. Speech complications, fatigue, and short term memory loss are symptoms that matt mean that one has a ruptured aneurysm (Schonfeld 518). Not all aneurysms are treated at the time of diagnosis, for it depends on the severity, size and location that will determine how soon a doctor should treat it. For both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms there is a treatment (briananeurysm.com).
There are two different ways to approach treating brain aneurysms, surgically, or by minimally-invasive treatment. Choosing the treatment that will work best depends on the size and location of the aneurysm. Endovascular therapy is specifically for unruptured aneurysms and accesses where the aneurysm is being treated from within the blood vessel. This is sometimes called “coiling” or embolization coiling (brainaneurysm.com). In this procedure, a physician inserts a small catheter into an artery in the patient’s leg and moves it to the head of the aneurysm. Nearly 125,000 patients worldwide have been treated with a detachable coil (brainaneurysm.com). Treatments for ruptured aneurysms include the treatment about, but other treatments are also an option. For ruptured aneurysms, there are two ways to ...
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...an seen with current treatment methods and it may also help to correct or lesson some symptoms. The article then goes on to state that VCU is one of about twenty-five hospitals in the United States to perform this procedure as an alternative to conventional surgery. This technology is very cutting edge and innovative which only helps the patients and their potential recovery. This doctor and his team of researchers have paved a way for many other doctors to find more new and improved methods to treat these aneurysms.
In conclusion, the size, location, and severity of the brain aneurysm will ultimately determine the treatment in which one should receive. However, doctors are continuing to conduct research to improve treatments and procedures that will make the entire process easier for the patient and the doctor who is performing this treatment.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR is the latest technology used principally for the treatment of aortic stenosis, a condition in which one of the major valves of the heart, the aortic valve, becomes tight and stiff, usually as a result of aging (3). Since many patients who need aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis are too sick to undergo major valve replacement surgery, they are unable to get the treatment they need. With the transcatheter aortic valve, this issue is bypassed because this valve can be implanted in the heart by accessing the patient’s heart through an artery in the groin. The valve can be inserted through a wire that can be pushed to the heart, and the old valve is simply pushed to the side when the new valve is implanted. This technology has been in use in the US with Edwards’ Sapiens valve since 2011 and has saved the lives of many patients with aortic stenosis (4).
Lippincott, W. (2013). Management of Patients with Cerebrovascular Disorders. Brunner and suddarth's textbook of medical -surgical nursing 12th ed. + nursing diagnosis, (p. 1895). S.l.: Wolters Kluwer Health.
People often know of strokes or someone affected by a stroke, but not always what constitutes a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced due to a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel or artery that supplies blood to the brain. The interruption of blood flow deprives the brain of necessary nutrients and oxygen supplies, killing surrounding cells in the brain.
A serious brain injury could lead to bleeding in or around your brain, causing symptoms that may develop right away or later.
The bleeding of the brain also causes increased pressure on the brain and it presses against the skull. Symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke vary upon the amount of blood tissues affected and the location of the bleeding. A transient ischemic attack only lasts for a few hours of the day or a day and it doesn't cause permanent brain damage like an ischemic stroke would. (TIA) transient ischemic attack is not considered to be a stroke, it is referred to as a warning signal before having a stroke. Ask yourself how does a stroke change a person's everyday life drastically? People who suffer from strokes have to live with a mental or physical disability that causes them to be limited.
Strokes are not only the leading cause of mentally disabling adults, but they are also the third most common reason for deaths worldwide (Jarvis, 2012). In general, a stroke, also called a “cerebrovascular accident,” occurs when blood flow of the vascular system is blocked from reaching parts of the brain (Jarvis, 2012). There are two types of stroke, an ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke, and they differ in the way they affect the vascular system. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, accounting for 80 percent of all strokes, and it is due to a thrombus or embolus blocking blood vessels supplying the brain (Durukan & Tatlisumak, 2007). A hemorrhagic stroke is less common, but is caused by the rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain and causes bleeding (Jarvis, 2012).
Americans are faced with health complications such as stroke each and every day. Stroke, also called “brain attack” is the third leading cause of deaths in the United States, killing more women each year than breast cancer. According to World Health Organization, fifteen million people suffer from stroke worldwide each year and about 700,000 in the United States. Among the people, it can be inferred that there is a poor public awareness of stroke. There are also many myths about stroke and one of them states that stroke is not preventable. It is also said that strokes cannot be treated, can only strike the elderly and its recovery happens for a few months post-stroke. When in reality, about 80% of strokes are preventable, it requires critical emergency treatment, can happen to anyone of any age, and occurs in the brain. It is also imperative to know that its recovery can continue throughout life.
While there is not a cure for stroke, there are treatments available if performed within a specific time-frame. For example, there is a clot busting medication available known as t-PA which must be administered with the 3- 4.5 hours of last known well (Stroke Treatments, 2013). Additionally, there are mechanical interventions available for stroke patients. The sooner the stroke symptoms are recognized and the patient receives treatment, the better the outcomes for these patients (Stroke Treatments, 2013).
Concussions are an injury to the brain caused by bump, or blow to the head or body. They can occur even when you haven’t even been knocked unconscious. Concussions can not be seen, but you can notice when someone has received one. (Center for Disease Control). The symptoms are Headaches, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, blurry vision, and memory problems or confusion. Also difficulty paying attention, bothered by lights or loud noises and feeling sluggish are sure symptoms of a concussion. (CDC 2). Even though concussions can’t be fully prevented, scientists are doing their best to find ways to decrease the amount of concussions that happen per year.
Neil. (2003, October 1). Triple-H therapy in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. The Lancet Neurology, 2(10), 614-620. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(03)00531-3
What is a brain aneurysm? One could define a brain aneurysm as bulging, weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. Over time, weak areas in the walls bulge out causing the blood vessel walls to become weaker as the aneurysm grows (Simon). In most human beings, a brain aneurysm can go undetected for years even possibly ones entire life. Some people however are not so lucky, in some instances, the aneurysm can rupture or explode, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, which is known as the type of stroke that causes bleeding in the brain. It is a known fact that approximately 8% of all strokes occuring world wide, are caused from the rupturing of brain aneurysms. Those are the unlucky people, fortunately, about 94% of all brain aneurysms do not rupture at all, and people are able to live their lives normally, just of course being careful not to do anything to severely damage their head (Nisacara).
Stroke is a clinical syndrome produced by acute interruption of the normal blood flow to an area of the brain. This then causes the brain to lose important nutrients as well as oxygen which will prevent it to keep functioning up to par. This is a consequence from a thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, or embolism, which causes vascular insufficiency. The outcome is persistent dysfunction related to the affected structures. There are many ways that strokes may occur, they can be cardiogenic or hemorrhagic. Stroke can happen at any age from the youth to the elderly. In most cases it occurs suddenly and could take from five to seven days to completely affect the person. If not treated or found on early onset, stroke can not only cause extreme harm but can also be fatal. Some people recover fully, while others only recover to some extent. Each year people in America die from a stroke or are seriously disabled. Although most cases are preventable, Stroke is still the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States.
...Trauma Foundation, medical care is improving (Ross 27). Constant learning about the brain is fundamental to discover better medications for those affected after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. Scientists are always finding stronger treatments for patients that have had a TBI. In a couple years, doctors see patients with severe cases being able to live a normal life (28). With improving technology, the medical field will always continue to grow.
Among the numerous components in the human body, the brain ranks superior due to its vital role in maintaining a suitable environment for life to continue. Injuries and conditions that affect this system have the ability to cause severe and life-threatening damage, which is why doctors that specialize in this field of medicine are so indispensable to healthcare institutions. According to healthline.com, a neurologist is a physician who has undergone additional training to diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system includes the brain and the nerves that send signals to allow the body to function properly. However, many neurologists specialize in more specific conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. They can also treat injuries such as concussions or strokes. Additionally, a neurologist can work as a reference for other physicians by advising them about the effects of certain medical conditions like AIDS or substances such as drugs and alcohol on the nervous system. (Hoyle)
Even if the physical symptoms of a stroke are obvious, brain scans should also be carried out to determine if the stroke has been caused by a blocked artery (ischaemic stroke) or burst blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke), which part of the brain has been affected, and how severe the stroke is. Different treatments are required for the different types of stroke, so a rapid diagnosis will make treatment more straightforward. Further tests on the heart and blood vessels might be carried out later to confirm what caused your stroke. In some cases, another type of ultrasound scan called an echocardiogram may be carried out to produce images of your heart and check for any problems with it that could be related to your stroke.