Today, July 22, is World Brain Health Day, a reminder of how closely blood flow and brain function are linked. Conditions like aneurysms, AVMs, and trigeminal neuralgia can be life-altering yet treatable. Here’s how:
The functioning of the brain entirely depends on its blood supply. But when something disrupts that flow, the effects can be unsettling. A sharp pain in the face, a blinding headache, or even a seizure, it’s easy to feel scared or lost. Nevertheless, recognising the symptoms, early detection, and medical care, can be a saviour.
The blood vessels that keep your brain functioning are crucial. “When the brain’s vascular system is compromised, it doesn’t just affect memory or thought. It can impact how you feel, move, and respond to the world,” says Dr Gaurav Goel, Senior Director of Neurology, Medanta, Gurugram. “The problem is, the symptoms don’t always show up easily. Often, they start slowly,”
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Trigeminal neuralgia:
Ever felt an electric jolt through your face just because you smiled, chewed, or spoke? That is called Trigeminal neuralgia (TN). “It’s usually caused by a blood vessel pressing against a nerve,” explains Dr Goel. “It’s not just physical pain, it’s emotional isolation. People avoid talking, eating, even being with others. However, treatments like Microvascular Decompression, Gamma Knife therapy, or even medication offer real, lasting relief to many,”
Brain aneurysms:
Most aneurysms also do not cause any symptoms. But if they burst, the result can be catastrophic. “People describe it as the worst headache of their life,” says Dr Goel. “Many aneurysms are caught on routine scans and treated before rupture. Endovascular coiling or surgical clipping can save lives. The key, as always, is catching them before it’s too late,”
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM):
It is a tangle of blood vessels that bypasses normal flow. “Some AVMs cause no trouble for years, but when they bleed, it’s sudden and serious,” says Dr Goel. People might first experience seizures, headaches, or even a stroke. But once diagnosed, surgery, embolisation, or radiosurgery can treat them. Every case is different, but it’s not hopeless.
AVMs: a tangled mess that needs careful handling
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a knot of blood vessels where arteries and veins connect directly, skipping the tiny capillaries that are meant to slow things down. This shortcut creates a dangerous high-pressure zone, one that could suddenly burst and cause a brain haemorrhage. “The pressure inside AVMs makes them prone to rupture,” explains Dr Gaurav Goel, Senior Director of Neurology at Medanta. “People may first notice headaches, or seizures, but sometimes the first symptom is a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.” That’s what makes AVMs so tricky. Many lie hidden, without causing any symptoms at all, until something serious happens. “Managing an AVM depends on where it is in the brain, how big it is, and how the person is doing overall,”
Dr Goel shares three main treatment options:
Surgical resection, where the AVM is removed completely during an operation.
Endovascular embolisation, a minimally invasive procedure that blocks the blood supply to the AVM using special materials.
Stereotactic radiosurgery, which uses focused radiation beams to shrink and close off the tangle over time.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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