what is an aneurysm in the brain

A brain aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm, is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain caused by a weak or thin spot on an artery in the brain that balloons or bulges out and fills with blood. The bulging aneurysm can put pressure on the nerves or brain tissue, and it may also burst or rupture, spilling blood into the surrounding tissue, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, brain damage, coma, and even death. Experts believe that brain aneurysms form and grow because blood flowing through the blood vessel puts pressure on a weak area of the vessel wall, which can increase the size of the brain aneurysm. Brain aneurysms are common, but most of them arent serious, especially if theyre small, and they usually dont cause symptoms or health problems. However, a ruptured brain aneurysm is life-threatening, and the first sign of a ruptured brain aneurysm is usually a severe headache, the worst headache you’ve ever had. Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms of a brain aneurysm rupture. Brain aneurysms can occur anywhere in your brain, but most of them form in the major arteries along the base of your skull. Brain aneurysms are caused by thinning artery walls, and aneurysms often form at forks or branches in arteries because those areas of the vessels are weaker.