Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome: Key Facts & Insights

You must have heard about Osteoarthritis. But, do you know about Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome? We believe you don’t. So, let’s crack it.

Ever heard this saying “We’re all ghosts. We all carry, inside us, people who came before us”? Sure you must have, given how true it is. Our ancestors, indeed, are the reason why we look a particular way, speak in a particular tone, and exhibit a particular set of habits. Not just this, pretty much every biological aspect of our existence goes back to our forebearers, more significantly our parents. Someone takes birth with profound ocean blue eyes because either one of their folks possesses that quality.

Somebody has that pretty blonde hair because their kin has that too. Listen closely – our voices also resemble our parents, if only a wee bit! That’s how important of a role genetics play in deciding what an individual turns out to be like. But thanks to this same biological order, it could also be the reason why someone takes birth with a syndrome as fatal as Aneurysm Osteoarthritis! Ever heard of it? Alright, let’s understand a few more things about AOS :

Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome – What Is It? 

Genetically caused disorders like Down Syndrome, Thalassemia, and Cystic Fibrosis are quite popular. Due to the recent spike in the reported number of cases, people now seem to have a better understanding of what these disorders are like. But when it comes to an autosomal dominant syndrome as rare as the Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome (AOS), the narrative is not very distinct. So, let’s dig into what it is.

As mentioned above, Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome. Simply put, AOS is a genetically caused disorder that is very rare. In fact, some studies also claim that so far, only families originating from parts of North America and Europe have been diagnosed with this illness. (Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) As the word “aneurysm” suggests, this deadly disorder causes the walls of the arteries to swell in size. This prompts all the arteries of the body to get weakened and crooked. What differentiates this syndrome from other similar connective tissue disorders is the fact that almost all patients develop osteoarthritis in the first stage of the illness. But that’s not all! With time, the rampant spread of this disease begins to target the aorta, eventually causing it to dissect, which is an alarmingly serious concern.

What Causes An Individual To Develop AOS? 

This syndrome is caused genetically. It is the result of SMAD3 gene mutations. This protein-coding gene is responsible for various other life-threatening diseases like Loeys-Dietz syndrome 3, Aortic dissection, and other similar genetic diseases like Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome? 

Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome or Aortic Aneurysm is mainly detected in men over 65. Needless to mention, this disorder can get very grave and must be taken into consideration as soon as the symptoms start appearing. Here are some of the most commonly reported aneurysms osteoarthritis syndrome symptoms :

1. Sharp pain in the back that moves downwards
2. Back pain
3. Chest pain
4. Shortness of breath
5. Sore throat
6. Cough

Is There Any Possible Remedy For AOS? 

Studies have shown that men are more at risk of suffering an aortic aneurysm than women. Possible reasons contributing to this trend include unhealthy habits like smoking, rampant obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity – all of which are reported more in adult males than in adult females. So it becomes apparent – men who follow an unhealthy lifestyle tend to suffer aneurysms, after they cross a certain age, say 60 or 65. Furthermore, this syndrome also has largely to do with an individual’s family history. This means that if a man has anyone in his blood relation who has gone through this disorder, there’s a good chance that later in life, that man also suffers a sudden aneurysm.

Now the question is, is there any possible way to loop out of this illness? There is no defined “cure” for AOS as yet. Experts suggest following a “heart-healthy” lifestyle is the only way one can reduce the chances of facing this disorder in life. This means that exercising, eating healthy, keeping your blood pressure in control, managing stress, and maintaining a suitable weight is all that you can do to ward off the possibility of this disorder.

Author’s note: One thing must be kept in mind in this regard – even the fittest and the healthiest of individuals have a chance of developing this syndrome with growing age. However, the ones having a family history or following a poor, detrimental lifestyle are always at a greater risk.

Conclusion:

Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome is not your everyday disorder – it is an extremely painful and dangerous illness. But you know what makes it even more perilous? There is a lack of dialogue around it. So, it’s high time we do away with this unawareness regarding something critical. This article aims to provide a simple and informative read for all those looking forward to learning more about this rare syndrome.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) about Aneurysm Osteoarthritis Syndrome