Chicago City Wire

An estimated 6.7 million Americans have an unruptured brain aneurysm, according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Many of these cases remain undiagnosed.

September is recognized as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. UI Health is highlighting the importance of recognizing the signs of aneurysm emergencies, understanding risk factors, and knowing available treatment options for those concerned about their risk.

An aneurysm is described as a bulge in an artery that often results from weakened vessel walls due to age or other health conditions. These bulges are frequently asymptomatic until they rupture or grow large enough to press on nearby nerves. Early warning signs are uncommon.

Symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm pressing on nerves can include pain above or behind an eye, a dilated pupil, drooping eyelid, vision changes, facial weakness, or numbness. If an aneurysm ruptures, it may cause a sudden and severe headache—often described as a "thunderclap" headache—along with vision changes, numbness, and difficulty speaking.

Aneurysms are most prevalent among adults aged 30 to 60 years old. High blood pressure is also a significant risk factor because it damages arteries and increases the likelihood of both forming and rupturing aneurysms.

"The risk factor I’m most concerned about as a doctor is a personal or first-degree family history of aneurysms," said Dr. Gursant Atwal, neurosurgeon at UI Health. "These can make a new aneurysm more likely to bleed."

To lower the risk of developing an aneurysm, Dr. Atwal recommends quitting smoking, regular exercise, reducing cholesterol levels, moderating alcohol intake, managing blood sugar for those with diabetes, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and improving sleep quality and duration.

Treatment approaches at UI Health depend on several factors such as the size and location of the aneurysm, whether it has ruptured, its severity, and overall patient health status. Ruptured aneurysms require emergency surgery to control bleeding and repair affected arteries. Non-symptomatic or stable aneurysms might be monitored over time without intervention; some may be detected incidentally during imaging studies like MRIs. For select patients, minimally invasive preventive procedures could be considered.

"What separates UI Health is our expertise treating both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms," said Dr. Atwal. "Being an academic medical center, our team can provide treatment options and levels of care that might not be available at a community hospital."

"There are times when a small aneurysm in a dangerous spot requires open surgery, and there are times when a large aneurysm is in a location that isn’t as risky," he added. "Our team is highly-skilled in evaluating and treating various kinds of aneurysms with a variety of surgical and non-surgical interventions based on your unique needs."

For more information about brain aneurysm care at UI Health or details about their Brain Aneurysm Program, interested individuals can visit their official resources.