Welcome to the AAA-Team's special episode of Join the Docs, and today, we're exploring the explosive world of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) starring your favourite dynamic duo with their trusty sidekick Slim the skeleton! It's no joke - this condition is a big deal, so join Doctor Nigel Guest and Professor Jonathan Sackier and buckle up for a rib-tickling ride through the twists and turns of AAA.Your aorta, the main blood vessel supplying your gut, kidneys assorted organs, pelvis, and legs, suddenly decides to blow up like a balloon. That's what we call an abdominal aortic aneurysm. But set your funny bones aside, because if that balloon bursts, it's no party — it can be life threatening! AAA can be triggered by a variety of genetics and lifestyle choices, with smoking, high blood pressure, and sky high cholesterol levels being the usual suspects.Now, the symptoms of AAA are sneaky little devils. So what should you look out for? Chronic back pain and discomfort “downstairs” are two tell-tale signs. If not addressed, AAA can even cause sudden death! But fear not, The Docs are here to make sure you're armed and ready to tackle it head-on.Prevention and early detection are our bread and butter (well…easy on the butter). What measures can be taken, especially even for over 55s accustomed to smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes daily, or individuals with a family history of health issues, even if they seem perfectly healthy? The Docs discuss screening techniques like ultrasound and CT scans to proactively catch an abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) before it catches you.For the itty-bitty, less immediately serious aneurysms, it’s a good idea to keep them in your peripheral vision, with regular screening. But if they start getting too big for their boots, it's time to ‘go all in’ and have a surgeon visit your AAA. Whether it's performing surgery to address abdominal issues or inserting a stent to protect your arteries, rest assured, we've got the right tools to fix you up good as new.It's not all about what we can do in the operating room. Lifestyle changes are the real superheroes here. Quitting smoking, reducing your blood pressure, and keeping cholesterol levels in check are the ways to go. Hard to stomach, but worth the change.So, remember, knowledge is power! Stay on top of your health, get regular check-ups, and don't be afraid to make some changes along the way. With a bit of know-how and the right care, we'll beat AAA together and keep you laughing all the way to good health!—--DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on Join the Docs are those of Dr. Nigel Guest, Jonathan Sackier and other people on our show. Be aware that Join the Docs is not intended to be medical advice, it is for information and entertainment purposes only - please, always take any health concerns to your doctor or other healthcare provider. We respect the privacy of patients and never identify individuals unless they have consented. We may change details, dates, place names and so on to protect privacy. Listening to Join the Docs, interacting on our social media, emailing or writing to us does not establish a doctor patient relationship. To Contact Us: For a deeper dive on this episode’s issue, merchandise and exclusive content, head to www.jointhedocs.comFollow us on youtube.com/JoinTheDocs Follow us on instgram.com/JoinTheDocsFollow us on tiktok.com/JoinTheDocsFollow us on: facebok.com/JoinTheDocs Follow us on: x.com/JoinTheDocs