About this topic
You have many blood vessels in your brain. Sometimes, the wall of a blood vessel may get weak. It can stretch, bulge, or balloon in one part. This is called an aneurysm. An aneurysm may leak or break open. This is an emergency. Doctors may treat a brain aneurysm in different ways. Sometimes, they are able to put a tiny metal clip on the blood vessel at the base of the aneurysm. Other times, they are able to put a coil or plug in the blood vessel that causes a clot to form. Doctors may need to remove the aneurysm with surgery. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- If you had surgery, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites. Do not pull on any stitches or staples.
- When you may take a bath or shower. Use a chair in the shower if you are feeling weak or tired.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Ask your doctor if you need to learn to take your blood pressure or have it checked often. The doctor may want you to keep a record of it.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Be sure to keep all follow-up visits.
- Your doctor may have you see a rehab specialist. Rehab helps you to learn to do your usual activities of daily living.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Lower swelling in the brain
- Keep the blood vessels in the brain open
- Keep a good blood pressure
- Prevent seizures
- Control upset stomach and throwing up
Be sure to take all of your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Do not skip doses. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. The doctor may want you to rest for a while after surgery. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Blood vessels narrow and you have a loss of blood supply to the brain. This is a vasospasm.
- Fluid builds up in the brain. This is hydrocephalus.
- Skin irritation from the materials used during the procedure
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Memory loss
- Seizure
- Stroke
- Numbness or weakness on one or both sides of the body or face
- Some signs may be long-lasting and you may have to make changes in your normal activities.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You cannot prevent a brain aneurysm from forming. If you have one, it is important to carefully control your blood pressure. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Headache that wont go away after taking pain drugs
- Seizures
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke, headaches, or seizures.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysms.htm ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Aneurysm/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚