Our Orlando gastro doctor here in Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida does not only treat stomach issues but we also diagnose them promptly. Most often, patients come into our practice with symptoms and want to get to the bottom of the issue. People needs answers, and we provide them. For example, some people have a twitch from time to time in their abdomen.
Quick review:
A twitch or pulse in the abdomen can not only be severely irritating, it can be a symptom of a serious underlying issue. In one scenario, this is a symptom of the condition we have been discussing this month. This condition is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
This gastroenterology condition is most often within elderly men that are smokers, or former smokers. Take a look at our last blog article to read about risk factors associated to this gastro condition. Make an appointment with our Orlando gastro doctor team if any of the mentioned risk factors seem relevant to you or your loved ones.
As a reminder, if you or a loved one experiences the twitch or pulse symptom, it cannot be put off any longer. The abdominal aortic aneurysm can rupture and be deadly. Get checked right away. It is best to go to the hospital if you have symptoms of this condition.
Our team, including an Orlando gastro doctor, will be here to assist post emergency attention. Scans and tests can be run post emergency to ensure you are healing properly. If you have not yet experienced symptoms but are at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is a safe bet to go ahead and get examined for it.
Getting a diagnosed by an Orlando gastro doctor:
Here is how we would go about diagnosing a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. To begin an examination on a patient that suspects he or she has an abdominal aortic aneurysm, one of our gastro doctors may use a stethoscope to listen all over the abdominal area.
To be sure, the doctor may use one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis. One option a gastroenterologist has is an abdominal ultrasound. This test uses imaging techniques that utilizes sound waves to see tissues inside of the body.
The abdominal ultrasound can help the doctor determine how large the abdominal aortic aneurysm is. Next up, the doppler ultrasound is the next option. This type of test uses sound waves to asses blood flow throughout arteries and veins in the patient’s body.
Additionally, your Orlando gastro doctor may need an abdominal and pelvic CT scan. This specific scan combines a series of X-ray images to yield a detailed picture of tissues inside of the body. This scan provides a helpful insight as to the extent and size of the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Finally, there is another test the doctors may order. This test is called an angiography. Now this test combines CT, X-ray, or MRI sc
ans with a contrast dye to reveal major blood vessels in the patient’s body.
How to start treatment:
Once diagnosed, treatment will depend on the size and location of the aneurysm. Other factors will be taken into consideration. Such factors include age and the condition of the patient’s health. This is a usual dilemma for doctors considering powerful treatment.
For a patient with an aneurysm smaller than five centimeters in diameter, a gastro doctor may recommend a treatment plan which includes follow up CT scans every six to twelve months. Plus, the patient may be prescribes high blood pressure medications.
Additional medication for high cholesterol may be preserves too. Lastly, treatments which assist people to quit smoking may be recommended or provided. For an aneurysm that is longer than five centimeters in diameter or is growing rapidly or leaking, surgery may be required. An open surgical repair, or OSR, and an endovascular aortic repair, or EAR, are two options.
All in all, for people with a normal body weight and BMI, feeling a pulse in the abdomen can be totally harmless. But this only applies to people in good health without any cardiovascular issues. Make an appointment today if you are at risk and have ever felt this symptom. We would desire to treat the aneurysm before it causes deadly damage.
Thank you for coming back around! We hope you stop by next time to learn about “how to have a healthy gut.” Happy Back-To-School to all of our patients continuing their education!
Staff Writer