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Know more about aneurysm, the declared cause of death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, and the same health condition that claimed the life of actress Isabel Granada and which, fortunately 'Game of Thrones' actress Emilia Clarke survived twice.

People were shocked to hear about the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, who was found lifeless in the bathtub of a hotel room in Makati, after having a New Year's Eve celebration with her friends.

Christine Dacera / Source: @xtinedacera (IG)

There is speculation that Christine was drugged and raped, especially after the medico-legal report revealed that there was sexual contact and that the victim had contusions on both knees, and an abrasion on her right thigh.

However, when Christine was rushed to the hospital on January 1, she was pronounced dead due to ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Isabel Granada / Source: @isabelgranada21 (IG)

In 2017, That's Entertainment star Isabel Granada also succumbed to brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm.

While Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, on the other hand, have had an aneurysm twice -first in 2011 and second in 2013 - but fortunately survived both episodes of aneurysm through life-saving surgery.

So, what is aneurysm, it's causes, effects, and treatment? Read on to find out.

'Game of Thrones' actress and aneurysm survivor Emilia Clarke / Source: @emilia_clarke (IG)

What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm happens when a blood vessel weakens and the strong blood flow causes a bulge to form, which often looks like a berry hanging on a stem.

It becomes life-threatening when the bulge ruptures and causes internal bleeding.

There are four parts of the body where aneurysms often occur: the brain, aorta, legs, and spleen.

What are its causes?

The exact cause of an aneurysm is unknown but there are certain factors that contribute to the medical condition.

According to Healthline, those who have high blood pressure and damaged tissue in the arteries such as those with Atherosclerotic disease are at risk for aneurysm.

Fatty deposits and plaque buildup in the arteries make the heart work harder than usual in order for blood to get past these blockages. The increased pressure then enlarges or weakens the blood vessels.

Other risk factors for aneurysm include:

1. Smoking
2. Obesity
3. A diet high in fat and cholesterol
4. Family history of heart conditions such as heart diseases and heart attack
5. Pregnancy

A study in the American Heart Association's journal 'Stroke' found that the following factors may trigger or cause the rupture of an existing brain aneurysm:

1. Sexual intercourse
2. Excessive exercise
3. Coffee or soda consumption
4. Straining during bowel movements
5. Intense anger
6. Startling or experiencing something shocking

Symptoms and Effects/Complications

Aneurysms can often go undetected until they finally rupture. Each type and location of an aneurysm also present different symptoms.

Here are the symptoms of ruptured aneurysms that can be anywhere in your body:

1. Severe headache
2. Increased heart rate
3. Pain
4. Vomiting/nausea
5. Dizziness or lightheadedness
6. Bleeding
7. Loss of vision
8. Blurred or double vision
9. Stiff neck
10. Sensitivity to light
11. Drooping eyelid
12. Eye pain
13. Neck pain
14. Loss of consciousness
15. Confusion
16. Seizure

Once you experience these symptoms and suspect that you have an aneurysm, you should get emergency care right away as an aneurysm can get fatal really quick.

Some of the serious complications from aneurysm are as follows:

1. Paralysis
2. Aphasia or difficulty in speaking
3. Memory loss
4. Hydrocephalus, where cerebrospinal fluid circulation is impaired
5. Hyponatremia/ low sodium levels due to brain injury
6. Death

Treatment

Aneurysm can be treated by life-saving surgery called surgical clipping, where the bulge is closed off using a metal clip to prevent it from rupturing.

Hence, it is of paramount importance that a person suspected to have ruptured aneurysm be brought to the hospital right away.

Moreover, depending on the complications, certain medications and therapy can help an aneurysm survivor recover or improve their quality of life.

Here are some of Filipino personalities who experienced aneurysm:

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

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