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Brain Aneurysm
Brain aneurysms are balloon-like formations of blood that push on the brain
artery walls and weaken them, sometimes to the point of rupture. “Wear and tear”
on the arteries, genetic tendencies, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, oral
contraceptives, injury and/or infection can all contribute to the formation
of a brain aneurysm. Pain behind the eye, localized headache, dilated pupils
and double vision are all warning signs of a brain aneurysm. A ruptured brain
aneurysm often causes the above symptoms plus nausea, loss of sensation, dizziness,
vomiting, sensitivity to light and stiffness in the neck. A ruptured brain aneurysm,
also called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, will leak blood into the brain, possibly
causing brain damage and, in about 50% of cases, death. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
must be treated immediately; a CT scan can help doctors determine the extent
of bleeding, and decide how to best proceed next.
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