Blood clotting is a natural way for our body to stop excessive bleeding when the body receives any injury. The platelets in the blood and the proteins present in blood plasma will work together to form clots over the injured region and prevent blood waste through the wound.
Blood clotting is not harmful if the clot gets dislodged, but when the body does not treat it, it will enter the bloodstream and cause blockage of the vessels.
The results of blood clots can be fatal in many cases. In another case, the blood clot can form in parts of the body where it is unnecessary; this is called a thrombus. The symptoms of blood clots and their treatment depend on the position of the chunk.
Which Blood Clots pose a more significant threat?
Blood clots can gather anywhere in the body. But it will be troublesome if the formation takes place inside the arteries (arterial clots) or the veins (venous clots). If the clot forms inside the more prominent veins of the circulatory system, then it can be more harmful.
This condition is called Deep Vein Thrombosis. If the DVT gets to the lungs, the results can be catastrophic as it blocks blood flow in or out of the lungs. This disorder is called Pulmonary Embolism, and it can be dangerous or even fatal.
Clots in the brain can cause strokes, and arterial clots accumulating in the heart arteries can cause heart attacks. Besides this, clots that gather in the gastrointestinal tract will cause severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Who is at more threat of developing blood clots?
Blood clots can accumulate in anyone, and there are no restrictions. Yet, specific groups of people are more at the peril of getting coagulation of blood.
People who are used to consuming birth prevention pills or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
Women who are pregnant
People who are patients of cancer or have a history of being cancer patients
People have a family history of developing blood clots or inheriting linked diseases like the Factor V Leiden disease.
Lastly, patients of COVID-19 have been found to develop blood clots in the aftermath of the infection. However, the risks of developing clots because of the illness are more significant than the formation of blood lumps because of COVID-19 vaccines.
Nonetheless, our lifestyle also has a significant effect on the appearance of clots in the bloodstream. Those who are obese and don’t participate in physical activities are more vulnerable to such conditions.
Finally, smokers are also weak against the accumulation of blood clots because the surface of the platelets in the blood is primarily affected, which helps form blood clumps.
What symptoms are experienced by blood clot patients?
Gastrointestinal Tract:
The formation of blood clots in the abdomen can lead to overwhelming stomach aches, nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, and bloody stools. The construction of blood clots in the stomach is also considered a sign of blood cancer.
In the limbs:
If there are blood clots in the limbs, the symptoms can include throbbing pain in one limb (it is sporadic for both arms and legs to go through pain). Other indications are the swelling of arms or legs, the appearance of red or darkened skin around the infected region, and swollen veins that are hard or numb when touched.
In the brain:
Blood clots that are erect in the brain have differing indications depending on the location where the brain is affected. A blood clot formed in the nervous system weakens the face and the limbs, dizziness, headache, loss of speech, and problems associated with the eyes. Many of these signs are directly attached to heart attacks and seizures.
In the heart or lungs:
if blood clots appear in the blood vessels of the heart or the lungs, things can get complicated. The blood flow of such a patient is significantly affected, and there are chances of the collapse of lungs or heart attacks. The symptoms of clot formation in the heart or lungs include tightness in the chest.
What is the treatment of Blood Clots?
Blood clots can be deadly, but they are treatable using various methods. So, we will discuss the different ways in which blood clot patients are cured.
Medication:
Doctors prescribe different medicines to blood clot patients to help them tackle the clumps formed inside the bloodstream. Anticoagulants are drugs advised to such patients. The purpose of these anticoagulants is to thin the blood, thus preventing lumps from forming.
For clots that threaten the patient’s life, drugs called thrombolytics help dissolve the chunks in the blood. Other than anticoagulants and thrombolytics, patients are also counseled to use antiplatelet medications. Some of these are relatively new for the common folk, but some, like Aspirin, are common household medicines.
Compression Stockings or Socks play a vital role in dealing with the symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis. DVTs have a higher chance of forming in the limbs and can intervene with the blood flow from the limbs to the heart, so sometimes the results can be harmful.
Compression Stockings allow the body to maintain a constant and optimum pressure for the blood flow. Thence, it can help to prevent blood clots from forming and reduce the swelling caused by it.
Surgery:
The surgery for treating blood clots is called surgical thrombectomy, which removes blood clots in the blood vessels. Normally, blood flows freely into your bloodstream. Your blood arteries carry oxygen and nutrients to your body.
Your veins carry the waste back to the heart. In some cases, the blood gets coagulated and results in clots. During thrombectomy surgery, the surgeon cuts a hole in the bloodstream.
The chunks are removed, and the arteries are repaired. This restores blood flow. In some cases, a balloon or other object may be placed in a blood vessel to help keep it open.
Passing Stents:
If the situation is serious, then it is also possible that the doctor will prescribe stents to keep the vessels open for blood flow. Many modern stents are stained with drugs combined with herbicides.
In some cases, empty traditional instruments are used. These are not covered with drugs to stop clot formation. Your doctor will also prescribe anticoagulants that will be taken after surgery to prevent blood clots.
Vena Cava Filtering:
Some people cannot take anti-thrombosis medicine, so the doctor would decide whether it is necessary or not to place a filter inside the vena cava, the body’s most prominent vein. The IVC filter is a small, complex tool. When a filter is placed on your IVC, blood flows through the filter.
The filter holds blood clots and restricts them to the heart and lungs. This helps prevent pulmonary embolism.
How to Prevent Blood Clots from forming?
The coagulation of blood is directly linked with our lifestyle and our habits. So, our practices hurt our health. In order to prevent blood clumps from gathering in the blood and to lead a healthier life, it is essential to change some of our attitudes towards our health. So, the tips below may help you to defend yourself against the formation of blood clots.
Engage in Physical Activity: to have a healthy life. So it is necessary to keep your body fit.
Do not smoke: smoking contains nicotine and tar. These two components are significant factors that lead to the coagulation of blood. So, if you smoke, you should stop now.
Maintaining a healthy diet
Staying Hydrated
Having an optimum weight
Regulating Blood Pressure and Diabetes if you are a patient of these.
Getting regular screening for cancer
This is all that we have got about blood clots. If you have any other suggestions or knowledge about the topic, do let us know.
Peace Out!!!
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