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7 warning signs of an aortic aneurysm

7 warning signs of an aortic aneurysm

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to different parts of the body. If there is a weakness in the walls of the arteries, they can become enlarged, leading to a condition called an aneurysm. An enlargement or bulging of the aorta beyond 5cm is known as an aortic aneurysm. In the early stages, there are no noticeable signs of an aneurysm.

As the condition worsens, the following signs and symptoms may emerge:

  • Pain
    A large aortic aneurysm that dissects or leaks blood may result in severe pain in the jaw, neck, or upper back. This pain may further extend to the chest and back. Some people have also reported a pulsating sensation in the abdomen.
    In the case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, one may feel a deep, throbbing pain in the back or the sides, along with pain in the buttocks, groins, or legs.
  • Difficulty breathing
    An aneurysm could result in pressure on the trachea. If this occurs, one may experience symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
  • Rapid heart rate
    Bulging of the aorta may cause the heart to function harder. This pressure could lead to a rapid heart rate, often accompanied by clammy hands.
  • Dysphagia
    An aneurysm could lead to pressure on the esophagus. This can cause dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
  • Voice changes
    If the aneurysm affects or pressurizes the vocal cords, it can lead to a hoarse voice.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
    Rupturing of the aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency. If it occurs, symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, paralysis on one side, or even loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is necessary.
  • Obstruction of blood circulation
    Unruptured aneurysms may obstruct blood circulation in the body. This condition is known as thromboembolism and could have serious consequences, such as an ischemic stroke.

Depending on the part of the body affected, there are two main types of aortic aneurysms: abdominal and thoracic.

Risk factors
Those with a family history of aortic aneurysm have a higher risk of developing the condition. Other risk factors include:

  • Age
  • Genetic conditions like Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (which affect the body’s connective tissue).
  • Bicuspid aortic valve disease
  • Plaque formation in the arteries (hardened arteries or atherosclerosis)

An unhealthy lifestyle could also increase one’s risk of developing this condition.

Diagnosis
Doctors generally use imaging tests such as a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram), chest X-ray, CT or MRI scan, or angiography to diagnose an aortic aneurysm. In some cases, doctors may even recommend genetic testing.

Treatment options
Treatment for an aortic aneurysm may include monitoring to check the size and rate of growth of the aneurysm, managing risk factors (for example, controlling blood sugar and pressure levels), and taking prescriptions to manage cholesterol or blood pressure. In severe cases, surgeries such as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), hybrid aorta surgery, aorta surgery, valve-sparing aortic root replacement, or aortic valve surgery may be necessary.

Additionally, lifestyle changes can help one prevent this life-threatening condition. Some preventive measures include controlling blood pressure, eating healthy, and minimizing the intake of trans fats and highly processed foods.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 silent signs of liver cancer

Medical experts often refer to liver cancer as a silent condition, as it causes very few symptoms in the early stages. Most symptoms start showing as the patient progresses and reaches an advanced stage. This generally leads to a late diagnosis when treatment options are administered only to manage the symptoms. A complete cure usually becomes difficult at this time. This is why paying attention to some of the silent signs of liver cancer is also important. Knowing these symptoms may help in seeking an early diagnosis and timely treatment: 1. Persistent pain in different areas Liver cancer can cause a constant ache in different areas of the body. This ache is generally experienced in the right shoulder, back, or upper right abdomen. The pain is rarely severe and is often a dull sensation that causes some discomfort. In most cases, persistent pain and some swelling in the abdomen occur. This symptom usually becomes evident during a physical examination, particularly when the doctor presses the painful areas a little harder. 2. Unexplained fullness in the abdomen with loss of appetite With the cancer cells growing in the liver, excess fluids might accumulate in the nearby organs, particularly in the abdomen. As a result, the abdomen may feel full nearly all the time. This makes it difficult to eat complete meals. Therefore, one may lose their appetite over time as they start eating a fraction of their usual food portions. 3. Yellowish skin and eyes As the liver cancer progresses, the skin and the eyes may appear slightly yellow. While this generally happens in the case of jaundice and hepatitis B, it can also indicate liver cancer. The yellowing of the skin and eyes occurs as the liver fails to process bilirubin, a yellow substance produced during red blood cell breakdown. Under normal circumstances, this bilirubin is expelled from the body once the liver has processed it. However, when the liver starts to malfunction due to cancer or other health disorders, bilirubin accumulates in the body and enters the bloodstream. As a result, the skin and eyes start to look yellowish. 4. Hard lump under or near the right rib When the cancer cells start to multiply, a tumor starts to grow in the liver. This tumor may be felt as a hard lump directly under the right rib. This lump can be felt during a physical examination by a medical expert. Therefore, those who have a high risk of liver cancer need to undergo regular screening, where doctors check for the presence of such lumps. 5. Pale stools During digestion, the liver produces bile that goes into the small intestine. This is what gives the stool its brown color. The bile is not produced when the liver’s function is impaired due to any health disorder, such as cancer. Or it is unable to go to the small intestines. As a result, the stool may start to appear pale or whitish. 6. Persistent fatigue Chronic and persistent fatigue is another silent sign of liver cancer that goes unnoticed. Although it is a known symptom of liver cancer, many often assume the fatigue and tiredness are due to some other health issues, stress, or over-exertion. However, the fatigue caused by liver cancer does not go away even after ample rest. It causes severe weakness and lethargy, even when one has not done any strenuous physical activity.

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