Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [ID] => 3784 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2020-08-30 06:30:17 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-08-30 06:30:17 [post_content] => Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs due to plaque buildup in the abdominal aorta, weakening its walls and causing them to bulge like a balloon. This condition develops slowly and often has minimal symptoms. However, as the aneurysm grows larger, the risk of rupture increases, leading to severe abdominal or back pain, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath. Diagnosis involves abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, or angiography. Treatment options vary based on factors like aneurysm size, location, patient age, kidney function, and overall health. Smaller aneurysms (<5 cm) are typically monitored every 6-12 months with imaging scans, while larger or rapidly growing ones may require surgical intervention either through open surgery or endovascular procedures. FAQ on Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) What is Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) medical? An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through the chest and tummy. How serious is abdominal aortic aneurysm? An AAA doesn't usually pose a serious threat to health, but there's a risk that a larger aneurysm could burst (rupture). A ruptured aneurysm can cause massive internal bleeding, which is usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a rupture either die before they reach hospital or don't survive surgery. What causes abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)? Up to 80 percent of aortic aneurysms are caused by "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can develop when cholesterol and fat build up inside the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension), cigarette smoking, family history and age also contribute to atherosclerosis. What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs due to plaque buildup in the abdominal aorta, weakening its walls and causing them to bulge like a balloon. This condition develops slowly and often has minimal symptoms. However, as the aneurysm grows larger, the risk of rupture increases, leading to severe abdominal or back pain, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath. Diagnosis involves abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, or angiography. Treatment options vary based on factors like aneurysm size, location, patient age, kidney function, and overall health. Smaller aneurysms (<5 cm) are typically monitored every 6-12 months with imaging scans, while larger or rapidly growing ones may require surgical intervention either through open surgery or endovascular procedures.
What is Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) medical?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down through the chest and tummy.
How serious is abdominal aortic aneurysm?
An AAA doesn't usually pose a serious threat to health, but there's a risk that a larger aneurysm could burst (rupture). A ruptured aneurysm can cause massive internal bleeding, which is usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a rupture either die before they reach hospital or don't survive surgery.
What causes abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
Up to 80 percent of aortic aneurysms are caused by "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can develop when cholesterol and fat build up inside the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension), cigarette smoking, family history and age also contribute to atherosclerosis.
What are the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
What does abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pain feel like?
If you have an enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysm, you might notice: Deep, constant pain in your abdomen or on the side of your abdomen. Back pain. A pulse near your belly button.
Can you live a normal life with an aortic aneurysm?
If the aneurysm does not grow much, you may live with a small aneurysm for years. The risk of rupture increases with the size of the aneurysm. Emergency repair of a leaking or ruptured aneurysm often has complications, a longer recovery time, and a high death rate.
What foods should you avoid if you have an aortic aneurysm?
Reduce the amount of sodium and cholesterol in your diet. And eat lean meats, lots of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid strenuous activities. Things like shoveling snow, chopping wood, and lifting heavy weights can actually put strain on an existing aneurysm.
Can abdominal aortic aneurysms be cured?
When aortic aneurysms are diagnosed early, treatment is safe and effective, and the aneurysm is curable. Aneurysms are often detected while performing tests for entirely different reasons. Most patients have no symptoms, so if you are at risk, it is important to discuss AAA with your doctor.
What is the recovery time for abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery?
You can expect the cut (incision) in your belly to be sore for a few weeks. You will feel more tired than usual for several weeks after surgery. You may be able to do many of your usual activities after 4 to 6 weeks. But you will probably need 2 to 3 months to fully recover.
To kill cancer cells in a particular body area, radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles. In order to help treat stomach cancer, radiation can be used in various ways:
For the treatment of stomach cancer, external beam radiation therapy is often used. Radiation from a machine outside the body focuses on the cancer in this treatment. Specific types of external beam radiation are often used, such as 3D-CRT (three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In order to focus the radiation on the cancer and limit the damage to nearby normal tissues, they use computers and special techniques.
The radiation team will take careful measurements before your treatments start to determine the correct angles for targeting the radiation beams and the correct radiation dose. This simulation planning session typically involves obtaining imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans. It's like getting an x-ray for radiation therapy, but the radiation is much stronger. The therapy itself is painless. Each therapy takes only a few minutes, although the set-up time usually takes longer to get you in place for treatment. Treatments are usually given 5 days a week over several weeks or months. Side effects from radiation therapy for stomach cancer can include:
These usually go away within several weeks of completion of the treatment.
Side effects are often worse if radiation is administered with chemotherapy. Patients can have trouble eating enough water and having enough. Some need to have fluids put into a vein (IV) or have a feeding tube placed during treatment to obtain nutrition.
Please do not hesitate to tell your doctor if you have any side effects, as there are often ways to relieve them.
Radiation could damage nearby organs as well. This could lead to problems such as damage to the heart or lungs, or later to an increased risk of another cancer. By using only the required dose of radiation, carefully controlling where the beams are aimed, and shielding certain parts of the body during treatment from radiation, doctors do everything they can to prevent this.