The throbbing can generally be felt in the neck and hands. However, is it normal to have a throbbing stomach? If you experience this complaint, you should remain vigilant, because a throbbing stomach can be a symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that needs to be treated immediately.
A throbbing stomach can be caused by a condition known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This condition is characterized by the enlargement of the aortic blood vessels in the abdomen, which are large blood vessels that function to drain oxygenated blood from the heart to the chest and abdominal cavities.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can happen to anyone, but are more common in men 65 years of age or older. If the condition is not detected early, the blood vessels will enlarge and risk rupturing.
If a blood vessel ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding and serious complications, such as hypovolemic shock, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Abdominal aortic aneurysms often develop slowly and usually cause no symptoms, making them difficult to detect. However, there are some signs and symptoms that you may feel when experiencing this condition, including:
- Stomach throbbing around the navel
- Pain in the stomach that feels constant
- Pain in the lower back
- Dizzy
- Pale and sweaty skin
- Heart beating fast
- Hard to breathe
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
If you experience the above symptoms, you are advised to immediately go to the hospital so that an examination and treatment can be carried out as soon as possible. Likewise, if there are signs of bleeding, such as cold feet or hands or sudden weakness in the body.
Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Although the exact cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm is still unknown, there are a number of factors that can trigger this condition, including:
1. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis occurs due to the accumulation of fat and plaque-forming components in the walls of blood vessels. This condition can not only increase the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm, but is also the most common cause of coronary heart disease.
2. High blood pressure (hypertension)
An increase in blood pressure beyond the normal range (120/80 mmHg) can damage and weaken the aortic wall. This condition can increase the risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
3. Smoking
Smoking is the highest risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Not only does smoking increase the risk of aortic aneurysm, smoking can also damage or weaken the aortic wall. This habit is also thought to be related to the condition of the rupture of the aortic blood vessel.
4. Infection
Infections of the blood vessels, whether caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites, can also cause aneurysms. However, this condition is rare.
5. Injury to the abdominal wall
Injury or a hard impact on the abdomen due to an accident can also trigger disruption of the aortic blood vessels and cause an aneurysm.
6. Hereditary factors
In some cases, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be hereditary and is thought to be related to a genetic mutation. Research shows that a person is at a higher risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm if you have a family member who also has the disease.
Medical Treatment for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
To determine the cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the doctor will perform a series of physical examinations and investigations to determine the diagnosis and the treatment method that will be used.
The types of examinations performed include abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, X-rays, echocardiogram, and angiography to check the size and shape of the aneurysm. After the results of the examination are obtained, the doctor will determine the treatment depending on the size and how fast the aneurysm is growing.
Types of treatment that are generally given by doctors, namely:
Routine medical check-up
If the abdominal aortic aneurysm is small or medium in size and causes no symptoms, your doctor may recommend regular medical checkups every 3 months or once a year. This is done to monitor so that the blood vessels do not get bigger.
Operation
Meanwhile, if the aneurysm is large (about 5–5.5 cm), the doctor will recommend surgery to treat the enlargement of the aortic blood vessels. Surgery is also recommended if you experience symptoms, such as abdominal throbbing and pain around the abdomen to the lower back.
Emergency surgery will be performed to treat a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. If not treated immediately, this condition can cause heavy bleeding that can be life-threatening.
Prevention of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
To reduce the risk of enlargement of the aortic blood vessels, you can start by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Stop smoking.
- Eat healthy foods and reduce fatty foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages.
In addition, if you have a history of other diseases that can increase the risk of aortic swelling, such as high blood pressure, you need to consult a doctor immediately so that these risk factors can be treated quickly.
If you feel the symptoms of a throbbing stomach accompanied by severe abdominal pain that does not go away, you are also advised to immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and avoid fatal complications.
