Farah

Actually, i should have done this a while back. But its not too late right? Anyway, i wanna dedicate this post for my families. 

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

What's aneurysm?

• It's a stretching of a weakened artery (blood vessel) that balloons out rather like a worn motorcar tyre and when this occur, there's a risk that the artery may burst.
  
• Most common artery affected is the aorta, which is in the tummy (abdomen) and hence the name AAA

Who are at risk?

• those who have family members who has had aneurysm
• smokers
• high blood pressure or hypertensive patients
• those who have arterial problems like angina (chest pain), hardening of arteries (due to high cholestrol level)

Symptoms?

• Tummy ache and back pain especially when the aneurysm stretches
• Some don't or rarely develop symptoms until investigations were done.

Surgery?

• Not all aneurysm need an operation.
• Size of aneurysm more than 55mm carry higher risk of rupture and thus the need for an operation.
• Risk of rupture disappears once repaired.
• Chances of survival are not good if AAA ruptures.
• Most AAA are treated by an operation on the tummy in which aneurysm is replaced with an artificial artery made of very strong plastic material called Dacron. This should last for the rest of your life and is unlikely that it will need to be replaced.
• Some aneurysm may also be suitable for treatment by a method in which a graft is threaded up into the aortic aneurysm through a small incision in each groin (Endovascular Stenting).

Is surgery successful?

• if succesfully repaired, there is very high likelihood that patient will return to a normal life and it takes btwn 3-6 months to fully recover depending on patient's age.

Source:

Adapted from The Circulation Foundation.

To my dearest families,

I manage to find the simplest websites on nini's conditions for u all. So, please click to the links if you guys want info about

• MRSA infection 1
• MRSA infection 2
• Pneumonia 1
• Pneumonia 2

Ayt, hope u guys find these useful, otherwise u can always google for others more. Just a tip, look for patient web-friendly for u so u don't have to face those medical alien jargons. 

See u all soon :D