The effects of an aneurysm will depend on what type of aneurysm it is. Cerebral varieties occur in the brain when an artery becomes swollen with blood and forms a small pocket. The same happens in an abdominal aneurysm, with the difference being in the location of the swollen artery. Both conditions may cause no effects at all if the growths are small and do not rupture, or they may result in seizures, stroke, internal bleeding, vision changes, and death.
Small aneurysms that have not ruptured often do not usually cause any symptoms, and as long as they do not continue to grow or eventually burst, a person can live their entire life with one and never even realize it’s there. Larger ones or those that have ruptured, on the other hand, can lead to serious and life-threatening complications. The effects of an aneurysm that has ruptured or one that is very large may vary based on the individual and the area the aneurysm is located.
Cerebral aneurysms occur in the brain and may lead to headaches, vision changes, moodiness, personality changes, migraines, sensitivity to light, dizziness, nausea, and stroke. If the aneurysm hasn’t ruptured, many times surgery can be performed to remove or kill it by cutting off its blood supply. Long-term effects of an aneurysm that has not ruptured can still be severe. After removal extreme rehabilitation may be needed for the patient to re-learn how to walk, talk, eat and care for himself.
Ruptured cerebral aneurysms lead to death more than half the time. Many patients die within a half hour of rupture, and others may die several months later, due to complications. Patients who survive may have lifelong disabilities due to brain damage, or may have to undergo months or even years of rehabilitation to learn everyday tasks again. Occasionally, a patient will suffer no long-term effects of an aneurysm, although this is relatively rare after a rupture.
Abdominal aneurysms are very similar to those which occur in the brain. Smaller ones that have not ruptured are often monitored for potential growth and may cause no effects at all. Larger varieties may result in abdominal pain and bloat, and are usually surgically removed or killed in much the same way as a cerebral aneurysm. Burst aneurysms in the abdomen often lead to death, but the survival rate is higher than for those which occur in the brain.