Underlying causes for an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be challenging to diagnose and identify. Combined with sciatica symptoms, doctors could misdiagnose the ailment and prescribe the wrong treatment protocol. Then an individual has to deal with two conditions that were not properly diagnosed, continue to develop, and worsen. This is why finding the right sciatica specialist that can also identify an abdominal aneurysm is so crucial to developing the right treatment plan. There can be a variety of factors that can lead to the development of an abdominal aneurysm. They include:

• Cardiovascular issues
• Genetic conditions
• Family history
• Lifestyle
• Health patterns

Abdominal Aneurysm Contributing Health Conditions

Health conditions associated with an increased risk for an abdominal aneurysm include:

Atherosclerosis

This condition occurs when there is a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances that create plaque buildup in the bloodstream. This causes vessels to harden and narrow. Atherosclerosis can develop during the young adult stage and becomes an issue later in life.  

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-type substance that is found in all the cells in the body. The body needs some cholesterol for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and substances to help digest foods. The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Too much can build up in the blood vessels, which narrows the bloodstream and hardens the arterial walls.  

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension refers to a sustained increased force of blood moving through the aorta that can weaken artery walls. It is a common condition that is widespread among individuals that are older, those that smoke, and those that are overweight. There is an estimated 60-70% of individuals over 60 that are diagnosed with high blood pressure.  

Inflamed Arteries

When the arteries become inflamed, it can cause blood flow constriction and cause the arterial walls to weaken. This increases the risk of an aneurysm. Arteries can get inflamed through:

• Genetics
• High cholesterol
• Trauma/injury to the abdomen
• Arterial Disease/s like:

1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
2. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
3. Peripheral Arterial Disease
4. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
5. Vasculitis

Connective Tissue Disorders

There are hereditary conditions that can weaken the body’s connective tissues. This can lead to degeneration of the aortic walls and raise an individual’s risk for an aneurysm. Two of the most common connective tissue disorders are Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects collagen production, and Marfan Syndrome. This condition increases the production of fibrillin, which is a protein that helps to build the elastic fibers in connective tissue.  

Other Risk Factors

Additional health factors can strain the cardiovascular system. This increases the risk of weakening or damaging blood vessels. This significantly raises the chances of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Risk factors include:

Smoking and Tobacco

All types of tobacco use can contribute to diminished cardiovascular health. Individuals that smoke or use some tobacco product pose a significantly higher risk of developing an abdominal aneurysm.

Age

Aneurysms occur most often in older adults. This is because they are more likely to have cardiovascular issues and are more likely to have higher levels of plaque buildup.

Genetics and Family History

Immediate relatives of an individual with an abdominal aneurysm often have a 12-19% chance of developing the condition.

Lack of Physical Activity

Not getting adequate physical activity puts an individual at a higher risk for heart and cardiovascular disease. Aerobic activity done on a regular basis increases the heart rate and blood flow through the body. This keeps the tissues and blood vessels strong and flowing properly.

Gender

Both men and women can develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, the majority of those that do develop the condition are men. This is because men are more likely to go through heart and cardiovascular issues.  

Diagnosis

Underlying conditions that can cause sciatic pain can vary or be a combination of several conditions. The most important action to take is to consult a doctor or chiropractic sciatica specialist for a clinical diagnosis. While rare, sciatica-type pain could be caused by medical conditions like:

• Spinal tumor
• Spinal infection
• Cauda equina syndrome

These factors can contribute to an increased chance of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, individuals can have unknown risk factors and still develop the condition. Treatments may range from regular monitoring, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy/chiropractic to urgent or emergency surgery. If you feel symptoms of pain in the buttocks, leg, numbness, tingling, or other neurological symptoms in the back and/or leg, it is very important to see a doctor or chiropractor for clinical diagnosis that identifies the cause of the symptoms.

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Sciatica Pain Therapy

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Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*