6. Fainting or Loss of Consciousness
What it feels like: Suddenly losing consciousness, even briefly, or feeling like you’re about to pass out.
Why it happens: Bleeding in the brain can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure or disrupt normal brain function, leading to syncope (fainting). This should never be dismissed as “just a dizzy spell.”
7. Nausea and Vomiting
What it feels like: A sudden wave of nausea, often accompanied by vomiting that may be forceful.
Why it happens: Increased pressure in the brain from bleeding or a leaking aneurysm can trigger the brain’s “vomiting center,” causing nausea and vomiting that often accompany the severe headache.
8. Pain Around One Eye
What it feels like: Aching, throbbing, or stabbing pain localized around or behind one eye. The pain may be constant and unrelated to eye movement.
Why it happens: The aneurysm is often located near the base of the brain, close to the nerves that supply the eye area. Pain in this region can be a direct result of pressure from the aneurysm itself.
9. Stiffness in the Neck
What it feels like: A rigid, painful neck that makes it difficult—or impossible—to touch your chin to your chest.
Why it happens: This is a classic sign of meningeal irritation, which occurs when blood from a leaking or ruptured aneurysm irritates the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Neck stiffness often accompanies a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
10. Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia)
What it feels like: Bright lights feel unbearable; even normal indoor lighting may cause discomfort or pain. You may feel the urge to close your eyes or retreat to a dark room.
Why it happens: Like neck stiffness, light sensitivity is a sign of irritation of the meninges—the membranes covering the brain. It’s a common symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
11. Seizures
What it looks like: Uncontrolled shaking, jerking movements, or loss of awareness. Seizures can be generalized (affecting the whole body) or focal (affecting one area).
Why it happens: Bleeding or pressure from the aneurysm can irritate the brain’s surface, triggering abnormal electrical activity that leads to seizures.
12. Weakness and/or Numbness
What it feels like: Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arm, or leg. You may notice difficulty holding objects, walking, or lifting your arm.
Why it happens: Pressure from the aneurysm or bleeding can affect specific areas of the brain responsible for movement and sensation. This is similar to stroke symptoms and should be treated as a medical emergency.
When to Seek Emergency Care
It is not necessarily true that having one or two of these symptoms means you have an aneurysm. However, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention if several of these symptoms strike you at once—especially the “thunderclap” headache.
Do not wait. Do not “sleep it off.” Call emergency services (like 911) immediately.
