ABD Aneurysm Symptoms

An abdominal aneurysm is can be treated if caught early. If not treated, it can lead to death.

Causes of Abdominal Aneurysms

• An aneurysm in the abdomen will most likely be located in the aorta, and it is a widening of the artery in one specific area. It can be illustrated by thinking of a balloon that gradually has air added; the longer it is let go, the bigger it will become. An abdominal aneurysm can have many causes, among them the buildup of plaque on the artery walls, high blood pressure or, in some cases, injury/trauma, an infection in the body or a birth defect.

Risks or Other Dangers

• Other things that may add risk for this condition are smoking, being overweight and genetics. Men are more prone than women to abdominal aneurysms.

Signs & Symptoms

• Most of the time, you may have no symptoms until the aneurysm grows larege enough to cause severe problems. Your doctor may find it beforehand. Your health care provider will listen to the abdominal area with his stethoscope and may be able to hear "a pulsating swelling that produces a blowing murmur," according to Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary As a patient, you may also experience stomach or back pain and may even vomit. Usually, blood pressure will rise, and your doctor may be able to feel the mass inside your abdomen. If the aneurysm ruptures, you would need to go straight to the ER; otherwise, you could bleed to death.

Treatment

• If the aneurysm is small, your health care provider may place you on blood pressure medicine to regulate your blood pressure. She also will want to check you every so often with an ultrasound to make sure the aneurysm has not grown. If it continues to grow, you may require surgery to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing.

Prevention/Solution

• Aneurysms in some cases can be prevented through certain lifestyle changes such as not smoking, relieving stress whenever possible, eating a healthy diet and having regular checkups.