Worst Headache Ever? It Could be Brain Aneurysm!!

Creator: Dr. Joshi Saurabh Sudhakar
Published: 2014-04-29T15:08:38-04:00

Written by

and medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published on Apr 29, 2014 and last reviewed on Aug 01, 2023 - 2 min read

Abstract

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a potentially fatal condition that needs emergency care. This article helps you understand this condition and educates you regarding your treatment options.

Contents

What Are the Symptoms of An Aneurysm?

How Is this Diagnosed?

How Is this Treated?

What Is Endovascular Coiling?

How Effective Is this Treatment?

Is this Treatment Very Costly?

Worst Headache Ever? It Could be Brain Aneurysm!!

Kidneys are vital organs of the body that are located just below the rib cage. They are bean-shaped, each about the size of the fist. Kidneys remove the waste products and excess fluid from the body. They also regulate salt, potassium, and acid contents of the body. Kidneys also release hormones that regulate blood pressure.

Kidney cancer or renal cell cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the kidneys, beginning with the tubules of the kidneys.

Symptoms

Kidney cancer can present with following symptoms and signs:

Blood in the urine.
A lump in the abdomen, usually associated with pain.
Anemia.
Weight loss.
Poor appetite.

Causes

The causes and risk factors that can cause kidney cancer are:

How to Diagnose Kidney Cancer

Patient has to undergo series of investigations to confirm the diagnosis and to stage the disease including C.T. scan, ultrasound abdomen, urine tests, and blood tests.

Treatment

All the malignant kidney tumors need surgical resection (removal) if they are localized and not metastatic (has not spread to other parts). Surgical removal of the tumor is considered the gold standard treatment.

The doctor may perform one of the following procedures depending on the extent of spread.

Radical Nephrectomy: In this surgery, the kidney, nearby adrenal gland, and lymph nodes are removed.
Simple Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of the kidney alone.
Partial Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of tumor alone, and a portion of the kidney. Rest of the kidney is spared.

If surgery will not help, the doctor may suggest one of the following.

Arterial embolization.
Cryotherapy.
Radioablation.

If the kidney tumor is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body), then the patient would need target/immunotherapy depending upon the pathological type of tumor, genetic, and many other factors.

These target agents have revolutionized the treatment of kidney cancer. They have shown good efficacy and tolerance compared to the previously used treatment. They were first approved a decade ago.

These drugs include:

Sunitinib.
Sorafenib.
Axitinib.
Pazopanib.
Bevacizumab.

Now, most recently few more drugs namely Cabozantinib, Lenvatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitor Nivolumab have been approved and have much more efficacy.

Kidney cancer clinical trials continue and new immunological and target agents are on the horizon.

For more information consult a kidney cancer specialist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/medical-oncologist/kidney-cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Does a Brain Aneurysm Headache Feel Like?

A ruptured brain aneurysm can feel like a sudden headache. It may feel like a sharp pain. It can be compared to being hit with a stick. One of the most common symptoms is its sudden onset. It is a blinding type of headache.

2. How to Compare Brain Aneurysm With Normal Headache?

An aneurysmal headache, also called thunderclap headache, is referred to as the worst headache ever. It may come instantly and is very intense in nature. It is differentiated from other headaches in its severity.

3. Is Aneurysm Headache Constant?

Yes, an aneurysm headache is constant. It occurs suddenly and is persistent. The headache is of a very intense nature. This pain can last for hours to days. It may also be associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. The headache can be throbbing and pulsating in nature.

4. Does Aneurysm Have Any Warning Signs?

Usually, the aneurysm presents with symptoms only after its rupture. However, in some cases, there can be warning signs. These can include pain behind the eyes or above the eyes and double vision.

5. Can Aneurysms Be Detected by Blood Tests?

Blood tests, to some extent, can detect an aneurysm. Blood tests can help in detecting the calcifications around an aneurysm and monitoring it. However, it gives the best results when coupled with other diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

6. Can Aneurysm Resolve on Its Own?

There is a very remote chance of an aneurysm resolving on its own. A resolution can happen only when the aneurysm has not ruptured. If the blood flows out of the aneurysmal bulge, it can resolve independently.

7. Can an Eye Pain Be Due to an Aneurysm?

Yes, aneurysms can present with eye pain. Aneurysms can press against nerves and produce pain if they are bigger in size. They can also present with other symptoms, such as visual disturbances.

8. How to Diagnose a Brain Aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm can be diagnosed by using an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. For further testing, a procedure called angiography can be performed. In this procedure, a needle may be inserted into the artery, containing a dye that helps identify the exact location and nature of the aneurysm.

9. Can an Aneurysm Mimic a Sinus Headache?

Yes, an aneurysmal headache can feel like a sinus headache. But an aneurysmal headache is much more severe than a sinus headache. An aneurysmal rupture can exert pressure on the sinus regions, causing pain.

10. When Is a Headache Serious?

A headache can be considered serious if it is sudden and very intense. Medical attention should be provided at the earliest when there is a slurring of speech and visual disturbance along with a headache. If the headache is persistent along with motor weakness in the body, it is advisable to get a medical opinion at the earliest.