Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
When to seek medical help?
There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe. Your GP will ask questions about your headaches, family history, diet and lifestyle to help diagnose the type of headache you have. You should seek immediatemedical advice for headaches that: Come on suddenly and are unlike anything you've had before Are accompanied by a very stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting and confusion Follow an accident, especially if it involved a blow to your head Are accompanied by weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion These symptoms suggest there could be a more serious problem, which may require further investigationand emergency treatment.
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Introduction
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling of the aorta. It involves an ultrasound scan and is offered to all men aged 65 and over. An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, its extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or dont survive surgery.
Why have abdominal aortic aneurysm screening?
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) you wont usually know, you wont feel any pain or notice anything different, which is why screening is offered. The NHS AAA Screening Programme was introduced after research showed it could halve the number of deaths from burst aneurysms among men aged 65 and over. The risk of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if: you smoke; you have high blood pressure; a brother, a sister or a parent has, or has had, an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
When abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is offered
The risk of dying from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is greatest in men aged over 65. This is why the NHS AAA Screening Programme offers screening to men aged 65 and over. Men are six times more likely to have an AAA than women, and the chance of having an aneurysm increases with age. Your risk of developing an AAA increases if you have a close family member brother, sister or parent who has an AAA or died from one.
What happens during screening?
The screening test for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a simple, pain-free ultrasound scan of the abdomen that usually takes about 10 minutes. The technician will put a clear gel on your stomach (abdomen) and then move a small Ultrasound scan over the skin. The ultrasound scan will display a picture of the abdominal aorta on a monitor, and the technician can then measure it's thickness.
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results
Your abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scan will produce one of four possible results: a normal-sized aorta, a small aneurysm, a medium aneurysm, or a large aneurysm. What happens next depends on the size of your abdominal aorta. You'll also be given advice on how you can prevent the aneurysm from getting bigger, including: stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet, etc. You should be seen by the surgeon within two weeks of your screening appointment. The surgeon will discuss treatment options with you, taking into account your general health and fitness, as well as the size of your AAA.
What are the most FAQs on abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Frequently asked questions on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening. Will I be offered abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening if I live outside England? What is the scientific evidence to support AAA screening? What happens if I am a man over 65 and haven't been screened for an AAA? What about women and men under 65? What are the implications for driving? What permission do I need to give to be screened? etc.
Advice for prevention of ulcers
To prevent infection by H.pylori, it is important to consume fresh food that has been thoroughly washed, as well as make sure to wash one’s hands with soap and water on a regular basis.
When to seek medical help?
There's usually no need to see your GP if you only get occasional headaches. However, see your GP if you get headaches several times a week or your headaches are severe.
Treatment
Since atherosclerosis involves a long-winded process during which the walls of the arteries change, it required constant care throughout one’s life, in terms of regulating lifestyle. One must make sure that they are consuming a balanced diet, participating in regular physical activity, etc.
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