Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

Summary

A bottom-section bulge of the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel that leaves the heart and passes through the abdomen and chest. Know More

Symptoms: The majority of aneurysms have no symptoms. But occasionally they do rupture and symptoms of a rupture include sudden back or abdomen pain, a rapid heartbeat, light-headedness, and sweat on the skin.

Causes: Although the precise cause of AAA is presently unknown, risk factors for the illness consist of smoking, excessive blood pressure, and vascular inflammation.

Diagnosis: After a physical examination and study of personal and family medical history, a diagnosis is made. Specialized tests are then performed to validate the diagnosis made by AAA.

Facts

💉Able to be treated by a medical expert

🩺Diagnosed by a medical expert

🧪Requires a lab test or imaging

⏲might endure for several years or be permanent

🧓Typical for people 60 years of age and older

👨More typical in men

⚠Possibly harmful or fatal if left untreated

👪Family background could raise the possibility

🏥Urgent medical care is advised

⚕Majority of AAAs rupture into the peritoneum cavity, causing the feature triad of pain, hypotension and a pulsatile mass

Know More

AAAs are often categorized based on their size and rate of growth. These two variables aid in predicting how an aneurysm may affect one's health. AAAs that are small (less than 5.5 cm) or slow-growing often have a substantially reduced risk of rupture than those that are bigger or expand more quickly.

Smaller aneurysms are frequently not treated because doctors believe it is safer to monitor them with routine abdominal ultrasounds. Surgery is required for aneurysms that are larger than 5.5 cm. If the symptoms are severe or there is blood leakage, AAA also requires medical attention.

Symptoms

• CHARACTERISTIC

Symptomless aneurysms are the norm. Eventually, a few signs consist of the following;

• A pulsating sensation close to the navel

• Back pain

• Constant, severe abdominal discomfort

Causes

• COMMON

There is no identified cause for AAA. Here are a few typical causes;

• Hardening of the arteries: This occurs when fat and other substances accumulate on the inner lining of a blood vessel

• High blood pressure: The aorta's walls are weakened and damaged by this disorder, which raises the likelihood of abdominal aorta

• Blood vessel conditions: These include giant cell arteritis and Takayasu disorder, which cause infection of the blood vessels

• Aorta infection: In rare cases, fungal or bacterial infections in the aorta can bring about abdominal aortic aneurysms (aaa)

• Trauma: Traumatic Experiences, such as being in a road accident, raise the possibility of growing an aortic aneurysm

The risk elements consist of the following;

• Heredity: Abdominal aortic aneurysms may occasionally run in families

• Age - prevalent among those in their 60s and older

• Gender: Men seem to have more of it

• Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco in other ways increases the risk of aortic aneurysms

Diagnosis

• COMMON

IN VERY RARE CASES

After a physical examination and study of personal and family medical history, a diagnosis is made. Specialized tests are then performed to validate the diagnosis made by AAA.

• Ultrasound

A technician uses the pictures the transducer provides on a computer screen to look for any possible aneurysms. This scan costs little.

• CT scan

CT scan of an abdomen may clearly show the aorta and determine the structure and size of the aneurysm. gives a precise measurement of the aneurysm diameter.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A diagnosis of an aneurysm, including its size and location, may be made with an abdominal MRI scan.

Treatments

• USUALLY RECOMMENDED

EXTREME CASES

The aneurysm's severity affects the course of treatment. While aneurysms that are excessively big or overgrowing require surgical correction, smaller aneurysms may merely require monitoring.

Surgery

• Stenting

A method that includes inserting a tiny metal coil (stent) to maintain the artery open once it has been constricted.

• Vascular stent grafting with open surgical repair

A stent is implanted during surgery to support the arterial wall and repair the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Repair of endovascular aneurysms

The surgical treatment of an aneurysm, a bulging in the body's major blood artery (the aorta), to stop bleeding or rupture.

Complications

If left untreated for a long time, it might result in;

• The primary consequences include aneurysm rupture or tears in the wall of the aorta (aortic dissection). Internal bleeding caused by a ruptured aneurysm can be fatal

• Formation of blood clots: If a blood clot breaks off the wall and blocks a blood vessel elsewhere in the body, it consequences in an ache or blockage of the blood floating to the kidneys, legs or abdominal organs

• Fistula: an improper vein-to-aorta connection

Prevention

• Quit smoking

• Follow a balanced diet consisting mostly of whole grains, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat dairy products. Steer clear of sodium, trans fats and saturated fat

• Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control

• Regular exercise. Learn More

Questions To Ask from Your Doctor

• What constitutes a healthy amount of exercise?

• Should I urge my family members to get examined for aneurysms?

• How long after being diagnosed can I delay undergoing surgery?

• How successful is the surgery?

• Can it recur after surgery?

Nutrition

• FOODS TO EAT

FOODS TO AVOID

Foods to eat;

• Consuming a diet high in whole grains, chicken, fish and a variety of fruits and vegetables

• Dairy products with low fat

Foods to avoid;

Trans-fat, saturated fat and salt should be avoided.

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