Abdominal aorta and branches blockage: symptoms

Before we can talk about the symptoms of an abdominal aorta and branches blockage we must first describe what it is. Before we discuss the description of an abdominal aorta and branches blockage it will be helpful to understand a little anatomy of the heart, aorta, and arteries.

The heart pumps blood into a large artery known as the aorta.The aorta branches off into two main arteries called the iliac arteries that are in the abdomen.Each of the two iliac arteries then separates into a branch that goes into the pelvis and a branch that goes into the leg.In the abdomen the aorta branches out into other importantarteries, their job is to supply blood to the liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, kidneys and the spinal cord.

An abdominal aorta and branches blockage is just what it sounds like, it is when the aorta-arteries and branches get blocked.When an artery is blocked the walls of the artery become weak and it begins to expand or balloon.One of the sources of the blockage is a build up of cholesterol in the arteries and the branches.

An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Aneurysms can form in the arteries. An aneurysm is formed when the blood passing through a weakened artery forces the it to bulge outward, forming what you might think of as a small balloon. Not all aneurysms are life-threatening. But if the bulging stretches the artery too far, this vessel may rupture, causing a person to bleed to death. An aneurysm that bleeds into the brain can lead to stroke or death.

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms do not cause any symptoms.However, small pieces of cholesterol, from the inside of the aneurysm may get loose and cause a blockage in the blood supply to the legs.This can cause gangrene of the legs.Aneurysms can be detected by your doctor during a physical, on a chest or stomach x-ray, or by using ultrasound.

Now, back to the symptoms of an abdominal aorta and branches blockage: the symptoms may be different depending on the location of the aneurysm.Symptoms occur when pressure from the aneurysm presses against other organs, nerves, and blood vessels that are nearby.For example, when an aortic aneurysm presses on other organs in may cause shortness of breath, a raspy voice, back pain, or pain by the shoulder blades.Abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause there to be pain or tenderness below your stomach, they may decrease your appetite, or make you feel a sense of nausea.If an aneurysm is in the brain there may not be any symptoms at all except for headaches, pain in the neck, or you may have trouble seeing or speaking.These symptoms largely go undetected.

Since with an abdominal aorta and branches blockage the symptoms are somewhat difficult to detect, the best source to look to is your doctor.A doctor will be able to detect an aneurysm during a routine physical exam.So, frequent physical check-ups may be the best thing that you can do.The doctor can also advise you on ways to deter an abdominal aorta and branches blockage.Prevention is the best medicine.A healthy low-fat diet is a great place to begin in deterring an abdominal aorta and branches blockage.Controlling the cholesterol level of your body is a great way to deter a blockage.Another method of avoiding an abdominal aorta and branches blockage is to get exercise everyday.Not only will this avert your changes of a blockage it will also lead to a healthy body all around.