Aneurysms?

Question

Are aneurysms a disease? For a biology project, we have to pick a disease and write a report, but I think this is a disorder...does it still count as a disease?
And what type of aneurysms? My professor just gave me 'aneurysms'.

Answer 1

As others have said, an aneurysm is not a disease, per se, but is a pathological condition.

Aneurysms, which are weakness in arterial walls that cause them to balloon, can be found in the brain, aorta or other big blood vessels.

Here are some places to start your research:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001122.htm
http://www.brainaneurysm.com/
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4455
http://texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/Cond/Aneurysm.cfm

Good luck with your project.

Answer 2

There have been several studies demonstrating that some cerebral aneurysms (perhaps 10%) can have a genetic component. Although the nature of hereditary aneurysms is not fully understood, several centers (including the Department of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University) are actively studying this area. Cerebral aneurysms were once thought to be a congenital (from birth) abnormality. While this may be true in some cases, studies have shown that aneurysms can be caused by a number of factors. Very often, aneurysms develop from a weakening in the structural layer of an artery which allows the growth of an aneurysm. High blood pressure (hypertension) and atherosclerosis (lipid buildup in the artery wall) can promote aneurysm growth and rupture. Certain infections in the blood can cause a special kind of aneurysm called a mycotic aneurysm.

Answer 3

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) can be considered a disease due to arterial involvement. This can be considered a vascular disease due to arterial occlusions (blockage). This occurs when the aorta (largest artery in the body) gets larger and could potentially rupture due to high volumes of blood engorging against the walls of the vessel. This is mostly detected by a CT but in some cases an US. Goto google and search for a AAA and you will find some information on it. I work in radiology so I see this quite often. In most cases if operable, the patient doesn't make it unfortunately. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

an aneurysm is a weaking in a vessell wall. It could be in your brain, heart, abdomen. It is a condition and a medical emergency if it ruptures but not a disease.

Answer 5

aneurysms is not a disease rather a condition. aneurysm means ballooning of the blood vessel.example you have hypertension (its a condition that happens due to increase blood pressure secondary to fat build up) when you develop fat sedimentation in your veins tendency is that the blood can't pass through making the vein increase in diameter. when this happens in the head the person can suffer from stoke. there!

sorry if i wasn't able to explain it to you very well. good luck to your proj.

Answer 6

an aneurysm isn't really a disease in the truest form of the word...it's more like a bomb sitting somewhere in your body, waiting to explode. there are aortic aneurysms, usually in the abdomen, cerebral aneurysms, (brain), etc.