Legendary rapper Dr. Dre was hospitalized on Tuesday after suffering a brain aneurysm, which can quickly become deadly if he ruptures.
The music icon later went to Instagram, thanking fans for his kind words, saying that he is “doing great and receiving excellent care” from his medical team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
After the news, some may be wondering: What is a cerebral aneurysm?
Read on for an analysis of the potentially fatal occurrence.
DR. WIFE OF DRE, NICOLE, YOUNG PEOPLE ASKS US $ 2 MILLION IN MONTHLY CROP SUPPORT: REPORTS
First, what is a cerebral aneurysm?
Simply put, a brain aneurysm is a “weak or thin spot in an artery in the brain that swells or protrudes and fills with blood,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.
A brain aneurysm “looks like a berry hanging from a stem,” describes the Mayo Clinic.
Most of the time, a cerebral aneurysm does not cause symptoms – it is only after growing continuously, becoming bigger and bigger, that some people experience symptoms such as pain above and behind the eye, paralysis on one side of the face, numbness and weakness, among other signs.
When the aneurysm ruptures, however, “a sudden and extremely severe headache is always experienced,” says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which notes that this severe headache is commonly described as the “worst headache.” head of life “.
Double vision, nausea, vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness and more can occur after the aneurysm has burst.
There are three types of brain aneurysms: a saccular aneurysm, a fusiform aneurysm and a mycotic aneurysm. Aneurysms are also classified by size, according to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Strokes: small, large and giant.
What causes a brain aneurysm?
Overall, the causes of brain aneurysms are unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In some cases, however, one can be born with a brain aneurysm, “usually resulting from an abnormality in the wall of an artery,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.
Inherited factors may also put some people at higher risk for brain aneurysms, such as if they suffer from genetic connective tissue diseases, have a history of aneurysms in a major family member, such as a father or brother, or suffer from polycystic kidney disease, among other risk factors.
That said, untreated hypertension, smoking, the use of certain drugs (notably cocaine) and excessive alcohol consumption, among other risk factors, can also cause a brain aneurysm in some cases.
What are the complications of a ruptured brain aneurysm and how is it treated?
There are several complications in the event of a ruptured brain aneurysm.
“When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the bleeding usually lasts only a few seconds. The blood can cause direct damage to the surrounding cells, and the bleeding can damage or kill other cells. It also increases the pressure inside the skull,” says the Mayo Clinic. “If the pressure gets too high, the blood and oxygen supply to the brain can be interrupted to the point of loss of consciousness or even death.”
Complications that can occur after a rupture include the risk of further bleeding, vasospasm – when blood vessels in the brain “narrow erratically”, which can cause strokes – and hyponatremia (when blood sodium balance is challenged, and seizures ), among other potential complications.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“Surgery, endovascular treatments or other therapies are often recommended to control symptoms and prevent damage from unbroken and ruptured aneurysms,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.
“About 25 percent of individuals whose brain aneurysm ruptured do not survive the first 24 hours; another 25 percent die from complications within 6 months. People who suffer from subarachnoid hemorrhage may have permanent neurological damage. Other individuals recover with little or no deficiency, “he said. adds the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, which notes that “diagnosing and treating a brain aneurysm as soon as possible will help increase the chances of a complete recovery.”