A throbbing stomach can be a sign of widening of the blood vessels in the stomach

There are many types of stomach pain that can indicate health problems. Most are minor problems that you can correct yourself at home, but others may be more serious. If you often experience sudden throbbing abdominal pain, this is one thing to watch out for.

Abdominal pain that feels throbbing, occurs suddenly, and recurs is a sign of dilation of the aortic artery in the stomach. This condition is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. So, what are the signs and symptoms? Check out the full review below.

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body and is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the stomach and digestive organs in it.

The walls of the aorta, which are supposed to be strong and elastic, can weaken for various reasons. When this happens, the pressure from the bloodstream can cause the walls of the aorta to swell or swell like a tiny balloon. Swelling of the aortic artery in the stomach is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Dilation of the aortic vessel or abdominal aneurysm

This condition is not always a health hazard, as long as the dilation is small (less than 5.5 centimeters). When you exceed this number, the aortic vessel can burst and trigger internal bleeding.

This disease is more common in men aged 65 years and over than women.

What are the causes of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

The cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is not known for sure. However, there are a number of things that have been shown to increase the risk:

Smoke. People who smoke frequently usually have high blood pressure. Over time, this can make the artery walls continue to swell and slowly break down.
Hypertension. Hypertension is a condition when blood pressure has increased from normal limits (more than 120/80 mmHg). If allowed to continue, this can cause the walls of the aorta to become weak and increase the risk of an aneurysm.
Vascular inflammation (vasculitis). Vascular inflammation is a serious inflammation that occurs in the aortic and other arteries. Although very rare, this can trigger an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Overweight. Reporting from Healthline, people who are overweight or obese are at high risk of developing this disease, especially if they do not adopt a healthy lifestyle. You can check whether your weight is ideal with a BMI calculator or on the link bit.ly/indeksmassatubuh.

Apart from throbbing abdominal pain, what other symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Abdominal aortic aneurysms generally develop slowly and usually without other obvious symptoms. Because vague, this condition is often ignored and only realized when it causes more severe complications.

However, the typical symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is most often reported first is a throbbing abdominal pain like a beating heart. Usually occurs suddenly, but often. This symptom is more easily felt by thin people than obese people. Apart from throbbing, the stomach also feels soft but does not hurt when you touch or press it.

In obese people, the symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm tend not to be felt until the swelling has ruptured.

So, you also need to know you and the symptoms that appear when the aortic vessel has ruptured:

Sudden pain in the abdomen or back.
The pain spreads to the organs around the abdomen, such as the pelvis, legs and buttocks.
Body sweating.
Faster heart rate.
Shock or fainting.

When should I see a doctor?

If you often experience throbbing stomach accompanied by the symptoms above, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment. The doctor may perform examinations in the form of a CT or CAT scan of the abdomen, abdominal ultrasound, chest X-ray, and MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

If the aneurysm is still small, the doctor will closely monitor your health condition regularly to prevent it from getting bigger. However, if the doctor finds it is more than 5.5 centimeters wide, he will immediately recommend surgery to remove the damaged part of the aorta and replace it with an artificial tube. Surgery can also be aimed at grafting blood vessels to prevent bleeding.

What can be done to prevent it?

To make your blood vessels stronger, try to eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Don't forget to balance it with regular exercise at least two to three times a week to keep your blood vessels healthy.

If you are accustomed to smoking, immediately stop the bad habit for your health. Don't forget to check your cholesterol and blood pressure regularly to prevent excessive pressure on your blood vessels.