Anxious about ANEURYSM
Part 3
(Foreword: This is the continuation of our response to Macbeth of Generalao regarding her anxieties on aneurysm because her sister has just been diagnosed of this life-threatening disease.)
Dear Macbeth of Generalao,
Now, let’s move on to further heights. The last time we talked on how to detect unruptured aneurysm. But, what about if they have ruptured? So, how do you know the aneurysm had burst? When this happens, there could be a sudden terrible headache. Some say, it is the worst pain that they have ever felt in their entire life. Those who have ruptured aneurysm may also have blurred or double vision, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, sensitivity to light, stiffness or pain in the neck, upset stomach and may even throw up and weakness along one side of the body. God forbid, but, if this happens, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital as soon as you can. Don’t wait any longer. Remember at this time, you don’t have the luxury of time and the time is not in your side.
The problem with burst aneurysm is that it causes bleeding in the brain. This is what we call as hemorrhagic stroke. A stroke happens when a part of your brain doesn’t get the blood and the oxygen it needs. The blood, along with the swelling and the pressure can lead to brain damage. The things get rougher when the fluid from your brain and spine may also add up and in turn, increase the pressure more. And if this happens, that aneurysm may bleed again, and the arteries in the brain can get narrow and will lead to another stroke due to deficiency of blood supply and oxygen.
The truth is, no one really knows what exactly causes aneurysm. But, age, gender and family history may give you more chances to get them. Well, your sister has it right? So, the chances could be greater in your side. Aneurysm most often affects those who are over 40 and they tend to favor women more. This is probably due to levels of estrogen hormone that could drop after menopause and which may make a woman’s blood pressure more rigid. So, it’s really hard to be a woman, right?
Oh, oh, here we go again, we are running out of space, so, let me, continue this in my next issue. Until then!
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we can not answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)