Abdominal aortic aneurysm can be a life threatening medical condition if it is not detected in time. However, as ‘AAA’ has asymptomatic symptoms it may be difficult to identify the illness in time. In most cases, abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms become apparent very late. Sometimes, the illness is deciphered only when the aneurysm ruptures or if the patient is admitted to the hospital for another medical emergency.
What is ‘Abdominal aortic aneurysm’?
‘AAA’ occurs when the walls of the largest aorta (blood vessel) located in the left ventricle of the heart becomes weak and begin to swell. The blood vessel slowly begins to take a balloon shape. If this swelling (aneurysm) expands or grows rapidly it will burst and cause internal bleeding. Growing of the aneurysm is a slow procedure hence during initially stages it may not show any major symptoms or symptom like pain in the abdomen may be incorrectly perceived as part of other sickness. Usually aortic aneurysm that grows above 3cms or up to 50% greater in size requires urgent medical attention.
Most of the ‘AAA’ cases are a result of atherosclerosis that is hardening of the arteries, aging, excessive smoking or genetics. Apart from this, infection and inflammation of the aorta are other two reasons of ‘AAA’ development.
General Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms:
Pain or tenderness in abdomen
Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
Pain in lower back, hips, groins, buttocks or chest
Pain in the flank (above the kidney)
Numbness in legs
{Pain is one of the major abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms. A characteristic of ‘AAA’ pain is that it is felt as if it is piercing into a person. ‘In ‘AAA’ pain is usually felt in the middle section of the abdomen and in severe cases can extend to the back. Changing positions may aid in easing the pain a bit but is typically unwavering}.
If the ‘AAA’ develops at a faster rate sudden onset of abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms develop. Example,
Nausea
Palpitation in the heart
Vomiting
Clammy skin (In this condition, skin is usually moist, cool to touch and appears pale.)
Shock
Different types of shock that can occur are hypovolemic shock that is caused due to insufficient volume of the blood. Cardiogenic shock is related to the heart and neurogenic shock is caused when the nervous system is affected.
If a blood clot starts to form, it may show symptoms like a blue or black color toe that is extremely painful. This condition is also called “cold foot”. If there is extreme inflammation, it might lead to sudden weight loss and fever.
Hoarse voice is a symptom that might arise if the aneurysm is related to or develops in the arch of the aorta. This happens when branch of the vagus nerve that is the recurrent laryngeal nerve begins to enlarge. The reason of laryngeal nerve to be affected is that it is situated around the arch of the aorta. It sticks around the aorta in a winding arrangement.
Development of abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms
Development of ‘AAA’ is a slow process and hence do not show any major symptoms. In some patients, the symptoms might occur in mild to moderate form for years together and suddenly result in rupture of the blood vessel. However, a severe ‘AAA’ patient may experience sudden onset of symptoms. Many a times the blood vessel ruptures and internal bleeding takes place only then the existing symptoms are understood to be linked to ‘AAA’.
As abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms are asymptomatic and can easily go undiagnosed, the mortality is rate is very high. It is a potentially life threatening illness. Hence, a medical checkup after 50 years of age is imperative.