Ways to Prevent a Brain Aneurysm

A brain aneurysm occurs when there is a bulge in the blood vessels located in the brain. It is possible to have an undetected aneurysm. In fact, it is estimated that 3 to 5 percent of the American population has an aneurysm. This accounts for nearly 2 million people. These aneurysms remain unnoticed because they have not ruptured. Once a brain aneurysm ruptures, the risk of stroke increases. Death may also occur. Fortunately, surgery is available to treat aneurysms before they rupture. More importantly, there is also valuable information available to help prevent a brain aneurysm. If you are at risk for developing an aneurysm, consider the following tips.

� Maintain Weight and Exercise. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight contributes to good health. Because many health conditions can be attributed to lack of physical activity and obesity, it is important to adopt a regular workout routine. Ideally, each person should exercise three or four times a week for at least twenty minutes. This might include walking, jogging, aerobics, etc. The key is to get the heart pumping, which strengthens the heart muscles and sheds the pounds.

� Eat Fiber, Avoid Fats. Eating foods high in fiber also contributes to good health, and will decrease your risk of developing a brain aneurysm. On the contrary, diets high in fat will greatly increase the risk. Thus, if helps to limit your intake of fatty foods.

� Give Up Smoking. According to recent health studies, persons who smoke die 7 to 10 year prematurely. Aside from the risk of lung cancer, asthma, and emphysema, smoking also causes blood vessels to narrow. When this happens, the risk of aneurysm greatly increases.

� High Blood Pressure. Another risk factor for brain aneurysms is high blood pressure. Routine physical examinations are vital. This way, physicians can easily detect blood pressure problems. If suffering from high blood pressure, treatment is important because this may cause an aneurysm to rupture.

� Treat Constipation. Any type of straining can cause an aneurysm to burst. For this matter, if you suffer from chronic constipation, you might consider adding more fiber to your diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly. If lifestyle changes do not ease constipation, consult a physician. There may be an underlying problem.

âÂ?¢ Avoid Stress. Adopt a “no stress notion”. Persistent stress can raise blood pressure and cause blood vessel narrowing. If stress is due to anxiety disorders, consider taking a mild anti-depressant.

� Treat Pain with an Aspirin.