Pulsating abdominal mass also referred to as an abdominal aneurysm, is a life long, age related health condition that hits people above sixty years of age. Though there are several cases where it has hit two or more brothers in the family, a definite genetic connection has not yet been confirmed.
It is detected via a physical examination and can be in the range from benign or life threatening.
The person is said to be diagnosed with pulsating abdominal mass, when the abdominal aorta, which is the largest artery located in the abdominal cavity, expands instead of remaining straight and becomes large enough to start making itself visible, bulging & protruding outwards.
This condition develops when fatty deposits, also called plaque begins to build up in the inner walls of the arteries.
Besides Pulsating Abdominal Mass, the blockage can also leads to problems related to coronary heart diseases & also brain stroke.
What exactly happens in this condition is that, as a result of deposits, the abdominal area starts measuring larger than 3 centimetres, (which measures around 2.5 centimetres in young or fit individuals).
In this situation the person is suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Most abdominal aortic aneurysms grow in size anywhere between .33 centimeters and .5 centimeters with each passing year.
Symptoms of Pulsating Abdominal Mass
Worst thing about this condition is that it does not have any symptoms as such.
When the symptoms occurs, they are include…
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Pain in the fleshy portion between bottom of ribs and hips
- The patient may get a feeling of full stomach after having had a light, small meal or snack
- Feeling of vomiting & nausea
- Has a feeling pulsating abdominal mass
- Patient may also be diagnosed with poor blood flow in the body which is indicative of this condition.
One should contact the doctor on noticing a pulsating mass in once abdomen…
If he experiences abdominal, back or flank pain that is associated with a pulsating mass, it is an absolute medical emergency.
People generally discover that they are suffering from this condition incidentally;
1- Such as either when they have gone for their routine medical examination;
2- or when they visit doctor for some other problem and the x-rays show presence of this condition too.
3- It develops sp quietly without any pain or signs that people discover it when it ruptures;
As a result of this patient…
- Faints
- and if abdominal bleeding is profuse and can’t be controlled, the patient may even die
Treatment of Pulsating Abdominal Mass
The treatment of Pulsating Abdominal Mass is dependent on its size.
1- When the mass measures more than 7 centimeters in diameter, it indicates that there is a seventy five percent probability that in may rupture in approximately next 5 years.
2- If it measures six centimeters, the rupture risk over 5 years is around thirty five percent.
3- When the bulge is between 5.0 and 5.9 centimeters, the risk for it to rupture stands at twenty five percent over next five years.
4- And if the protrusion is lesser than 5 cm there is not much to worry but regular check ups are recommended.
“Wrong assessment or inappropriate treatment of Pulsating abdominal mass can lead to death.”
The atherosclerosis condition can be repaired surgically, if diagnosed in time.
However if it is diagnosed at an advanced stage, it can impact heart, brain and kidneys and can also become life threatening.
Factors Responsible for Pulsating Abdominal Mass, Include;
- Male sex
- Increased age and height
- Blood pressure
- Diabetic
- Coronary artery disease
- Atherosclerosis
- High cholesterol
- Smoking etc.
Time to Visit The Doctor For Pulsating Abdominal Mass
When patients with above symptoms visit their doctor they are generally ask about their family’s health history.
Also they will be asking to check the blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol levels.
The Patient may undergo for a physical examination.
That examination is during the stage that Pulsating Abdominal Mass condition already diagnosed by the doctor.
He may find the sound of patient’s blood flow abnormal.
To confirm his doubt he examines abdomen to look for the lump, or mass accumulating above the navel right in the middle.
If the doctor finds the bulge, he puts the patient through X ray, MRI, CT scan, or Ultrasound to confirm the condition because wrong assessment can be dangerous in this case.
Ultrasound is the most common option, because it is to the point, comparatively inexpensive, and there is no radiation involves.
How to Protect Yourself from Pulsating Abdominal Mass
To protect yourself from Pulsating Abdominal Mass, protect yourself from diabetes; high blood pressure; and high cholesterol.
If you already suffer from these problems, take medication, exercise, stop smoking to bring things under control.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force takes a step further and suggests…
That people who have smoked at any time of their lives when they reach the age of 64, they should undergo an ultrasound screening to check for the possibility of abdominal aortic aneurysm to catch the condition early and while it is treatable.
