Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Symptoms of Aneurysm
The symptoms of an aneurysm depend on its size and rate of growth. A small, unchanging aneurysm will generally produce no symptoms, and you may not be aware of it. Larger aneurysms of the brain (cerebral aneurysm) may press on nerve tissue causing a loss of feeling in the face or problems with the eyes. Immediately before an aneurysm ruptures, you may experience the following symptoms:
- a sudden and usually severe headache,
- nausea,
- vision impairment,
- vomiting, and
- loss of consciousness.
Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm usually results in bleeding in the brain, causing a haemorrhagic stroke. Blood can also leak into the area surrounding the brain, causing a blood clot within the skull (intracranial haematoma).
Most aortic aneurysms occur in the abdominal aorta. Many people have this type of aneurysm for years before they notice any symptoms. Symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the aneurysm, but can include:
- a pulsating feeling in the abdomen,
- back pain, and
- abdominal pain (that may go towards the back).
Many aortic aneurysms are discovered while your GP is looking for something else. The main sign of an aortic aneurysm is a lump in the abdomen, high up and a little to the right, that pulses obviously with the heartbeat. This is usually discovered during a routine examination of the abdomen.
The increasing swelling of an aneurysm of the aorta may press on the spine and chest organs. This can cause pain, coughing, loss of voice, and difficulty in swallowing and sometimes breathing.
