Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms

Unfortunately, abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms do not manifest themselves in all persons.

You may have an abdominal aortic aneurysm and not know it, which can be fatal in many instances. So it is important to know about the medical condition from its symptoms to its treatments to avoid the fatal consequences of utmost ignorance.

What is an aneurysm and where do they develop?

An aneurysm is the localized dilation of a blood vessel in any part of the body. You may think of an aneurysm as a weak spot on an old tire that bulges due to pressure. When it does explode, you will suffer fatal health consequences, even death in many instances.

What is an aortic aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm involves the dilation of the aorta, which is one of the large arteries through which blood is transported from the heart to the rest of the body. Although aortic aneurysms can develop on any part of the aorta, most cases involve the abdominal aorta. Of these cases, 90 percent will develop below the renal arteries while others can extend into the lilac arteries.

Symptoms

Most individuals will not feel any of the abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms. In most cases, the disorder is discovered through abdominal ultrasound and/or computerized tomography (CT) scan prescribed for other unrelated conditions.

If you do feel the symptoms, you and your doctor will often attribute them to other diseases and, thus, your abdominal aneurysm develops slowly but surely in the process. However, when it rapidly develops, you will feel a sudden, severe and steady pain in the stomach and the back.

Many patients describe the pain as having a deep quality that feels like it is boring into the very center of the stomach and then radiating into the back. You may also experience a prominent pulsation in the abdominal area, almost like the heart has transferred to the area. Although the pain can be relieved by changing positions, it is but temporary.

When your pain reaches this stage, you should know that your abdominal aneurysm is in imminent risk of rupture. You can suffer severe shock and death if and when immediate medical attention is not provided.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will perform physical examination as well laboratory tests to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Said physical examination can include listening through a stethoscope for abnormal sounds in your stomach, feeling the abdomen for tender spots and looking for abnormal pulsations.

Laboratory examinations like a CT scan or an abdominal ultrasound is the best way to determine the location, severity and stage of the abdominal aneurysm. The physical examination only serves to alert the physician to its possible presence.

You should immediately act on the abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms in the event that you may experience them. Keep in mind that your life may very well hang in the balance, with your inaction resulting to severe shock and then death. Seek medical help at once and ask your doctor for the possible treatment options for your case.

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