A medical condition known as an aneurysm is a chief cause of abdominal aortic pain, and a significant cause of death in the U.S. Symptoms that indicate this often fatal disorder typically do not appear until the danger is extreme.
Identification
Abdominal aortic pain is typically caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a condition where the walls of the aorta, the body's largest artery, bulge outward, pressured by the flow of blood through the vessel.
Symptoms
Symptoms normally are not present until the disease is advanced, but may include a sort of heartbeat sensation in the stomach area and pain in the abdomen or lower back. " If this is the case, your aneurysm may be about to burst," notes the Society for Vascular Surgery. "If your aneurysm bursts, you may suddenly feel intense weakness, dizziness, or pain, and eventually lose consciousness."
Warning
A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is the 13th most prevalent cause of death in the U.S. "Approximately 30% to 50% of patients with a ruptured AAA die before they ever reach a hospital," according to the University of Southern California.
Treatment
Because of its high rate of mortality, rupture prevention is paramount. Early treatment focuses on utilizing medication to lower blood pressure and relax the artery wall.
Prevention/Solution
Atherosclerosis, a disease that hardens and clogs the arteries, is a primary cause of AAA. Individuals with high blood pressure and who smoke and indulge in cholesterol-heavy foods are at higher risk.
Tags: abdominal aortic, abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic aneurysm, aortic pain, blood pressure