my dad is diagnosed with something that can be inherited :-(

[wendy]

okay, my dad is almost 80 years old.
his brother was diagnosed with a anuerysm in his stomach. so my dad went and got screened, he has one two. i know they can be dangerous. he gets checked every year for this too. he just told me it can be inherited and about my uncle (his brother) having one.
i am aggrevated, i can find plenty of information about anuerysms in the brain. but the stomach, i can't get the info i am looking for. i want to know what causes it in the stomach. my father in law told me some off the wall thing. i have worked in the medical field for a total of 14 years, i have never heard of his reason.
anybody know anything about stomach anuerysm's? i know i could ask a doctor, but i would need a appt. for that and i have one sch. in Oct. that was the first appt. they had

i wish people would ask more questions when they go to the doctor, my dad does not.

 

[MayberrySaint]

http://www.trinityqc.com/files/flash/aaa.swf

The aneurysm isn't actually in the stomach but in the abdominal area of the aorta... the above link explains it pretty well. The causes and risk factors are the same as a brain aneurysm. My father passed from one when he was 75...and he had all the risk factors (smoked, high blood pressure, little physical activity and overweight).

 

[TheKidAndDame]

Watch your blood pressure and let your primary care provider know about your family history. While not 100% foolproof, they are able to "hear" aneurysms with their stethoscope (they listen for a bruit). Good thing you are learning about this early...

 

[wendy]

MayberrySaint and theKidandDame, thank you. the link you put up there mayberrysaint, that was way better than the mess i found on the internet. i even went to webmd and the site never would fully come up. anyways my father in law said you get these from straining to much! i don't think that is the case from what i found on the web and the site you gave me here. i knew i could get answers from BYC and fast. thank you!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

My FIL passed from a stomach aneurysm at age 84...it was too risky for them to try to fix at his age so he decided against it and lived just over a year after finding out he had one......it finally ruptured and he died in the operating room...family of 3 sons and all 3 were checked for this... eldest had this and had his fixed with no problems...Just get checked every year is my advice...

 

[wendy]

well i have a appt. like i said, can't get in till oct. but my main question was what causes this.
my FIL said, i did not ask him, from straining

i don't think that is accurate. he is really one to talk himself on medical stuff. he does not take the plavix like the doctor told him to and did not go to the follow up appt. after his surgery. so he is a real expert un
sorry, i am venting here, just not in a good mood i guess today

(edited: i know a a anuerysm in the brain what usually leads to this, it is the abdomen area that i wanted to know, since i have my dad and uncle with it)

 

[erinm]

Wendy, google abdominal aortic aneurysm. You should be able to pull something up. It is not rare that is for sure. Take heart. They can be fixed if need be! surgery is grafting or stenting.If it is small it is monitored. They generally are fixed if they expand rapidly or large enough that rupture is a concern. I have had many patients on my floor with them who are asymtomatic and just monitored and have had them for years.You and the doc would have to be diligent in monitoring the condition.ErinM

 

[erinm]

And do not smoke, drink excessively and generally take care of yourself! there are lots of risk factors. Erin

 

[silkiechicken]

Good luck. I wish you the best. At least you know it is a possibility and it doesn't hit you later on. You know to look for it to prevent worse things later on.

 

[wendy]

Quote:
thanks erin, i do not smoke and sometimes go months without a drink. i like ameratta sours every now and then, but not often at all.
i am dieting right now. i had a baby a year ago and still trying to loose the last little bit.
i try to exercise regularly too.
my dad does not drink and gave up smoking in his 30's. he is pretty healthy except for glaucoma he has had since his 40's and he was diagnosed with mild high blood pressure in the last year. he is almost 80 years old. so that is not bad. other than that he is healthy. he has always watched his weight, he was a military man for 25 years and never liked to gain 5 lbs over his current weight. he still weighs every week!