Kim Kardashian, the 45-year-old lifestyle influencer and entrepreneur, recently gave her fans a shocking health update on her reality show ‘The Kardashians’. Speaking to her sister, in the seventh season, the SKIMS founder shared that her brain scan showed a ‘little’ aneurysm. She reportedly blamed her stressful divorce with rapper Kanye West, the father of her daughter, North.
She was seen getting herself an MRI scan, after which she was visibly teary-eyed. The mother-of-four was shown speaking to someone on the phone and remarked, “Why the f*** is this happening?” This came after North West’s fashion choices went under the radar, and Kanye West’s partner, Bianca Censori’s, scandalous outfit choices went viral, yet again.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also known as a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is a weak or thin area in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that balloons up and fills with blood. In the early stages, it may remain unruptured and asymptomatic for years or may rupture suddenly, leading to subarachnoid haemorrhage, a life-threatening type of stroke, as defined by the National Library of Medicine. Nearly 85% of aneurysms are located in the brain’s anterior circulation, reported the Mayo Clinic.
The National Institute of Health clarified the at-risk individuals with conditions like hypertension, genetic disorders, and family history. In the list were regular smokers, alcohol dependents, and infections (mycotic aneurysm), and plaque buildup in artery walls.
Early warning signs of an aneurysm
Most brain aneurysms go unspotted before a leak or rupture. However, expanding nerves in a sensitive area like the nervous system can show some early warning signs. Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic have identified some potential symptoms, such as persistent and localised headache, especially behind the eyes or in the temple. They added blurred or, double vision and pain behind the eye to the list. Other visible signs include dropping eyelid, undescribed dilation of the pupil, facial weakness/numbness and even slurred speech, and balance issues.
Signs of rupture
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons treat a ruptured brain aneurysm as a topmost emergency. One needs immediate medical attention in case of certain signs such as loss of consciousness, drowsiness, blurred vision, seizure, sudden confusion, and memory loss. A rupture will cause bleeding or a haemorrhage and prove to be a sudden fatality.
While Kim Kardashian discovered the abnormality through a routine MRI, aneurysms can also be identified via an angiography to detect an unruptured swelling. More common in women, ages 30-60, along with other vulnerable factors, make them a high-risk set of individuals. Doctors advise controlling hypertension, stopping smoking, and paying regular attention to vascular conditions as a means of preventive advice.
Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before starting any diet or fitness routine. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
