The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines an aneurysm of the brain as "a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel." An estimated 5 percent of the population has a brain aneurysm. The symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm, regardless of whether the aneurysm is congenital (from birth) or forms after an injury. Another determining factor in the symptoms of a brain aneurysm is whether the aneurysm is unruptured, ruptured or leaking.
Unruptured Aneurysm Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic notes that many patients who have an unruptured aneurysm do not have any symptoms. Eye problems are common, with symptoms including eye pain (above or behind the eye), double vision, dilated pupils and a drooping eyelid. The patient can also experience numbness on one side of the face, either the left or right half; weakness or paralysis can also occur in the same location.
Ruptured Aneurysm Symptoms
A ruptured aneurysm is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. The hallmark symptom of a brain aneurysm, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a sudden and extremely severe headache. This headache can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck. Vision problems similar to unruptured aneurysm symptoms--blurred vision, double vision and a drooping eyelid--can also occur. In severe cases, the patient can have a seizure, loss of consciousness or confusion. Sensitivity to light is another symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. The NIH adds that sleepiness, numbness, decreased sensation, speech impairment and irritability are also possible symptoms.
Leaking Aneurysm Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic states that a leaking aneurysm is when blood leaks into the brain. As a result, the patient experiences a severe headache; the intensity of the headache increases as the leaking becomes more serious and the aneurysm ruptures.
