Ask some people what they consider to be most scary, and many will answer that dying suddenly, without warning, is one of the scariest thoughts to have. Brain aneurysms that rupture are often associated with this kind of loss of life, but many people do not know a lot about this condition. Unfortunately, much of what people believe about aneurysms in the brain is simply untrue. Take a look at some of the most common myths about brain aneurysms and the actual truths you should know. 

Myth: Brain aneurysms are always fatal. 

Brain aneurysms are definitely scary because they can be fatal, but they are not always fatal; there are people who survive this medical event. Around 30,000 people have a ruptured brain aneurysm in the United States every year, but only about 40 percent of those cases are actually fatal and the people do die within a day. Even though you can live through a brain aneurysm rupture, about two out of three people who do will have neurological issues after the event.

Myth: Brain aneurysms never come along with warning symptoms. 

Brain aneurysms are often thought of like time bombs or silent killers, but they do have some warning signs that many people simply are not aware of. Some of the common symptoms that an individual can experience before a rupture include:

• Headaches that come on suddenly and are quite severe
• Having a stiffened neck or feeling tension in your neck and shoulders
• Experiencing changes in vision or balance
• Experiencing nausea and vomiting

Yes, these symptoms can come on out of nowhere just before a rupture, but they can also continuously occur for several days or weeks leading up to the rupture. Therefore, seeking immediate medical attention is an important thing to do.

Myth: Brain aneurysms only happen to older people. 

It is a common misconception that older people are most likely to have an aneurysm rupture in their brains, but this is actually not true at all. There is actually a certain age range in which this kind of medical event is likely to occur, and that range is between 35 and 60. Therefore, middle-aged adults are actually more at risk than seniors. Other risk factors beyond age range exist, such as being more at risk if you are a female, a smoker, or have high blood pressure. If you believe you are at risk, it is always best to speak with your physician.

For information about aneurysm treatment, contact a medical center like Interventional Neuroassociates.