LEARNING ABOUT – BLOOD CLOTS
A blood clot is a mass of blood that sticks together to form at the site of injury. The platelets, proteins and cells of the body combine to form a clot that stops the bleeding from the injury site. Once the healing process begins the blood clot is automatically degenerated.
Clots are beneficial if they form outside the body as their purpose is to stop the bleeding. But they become much more dangerous when they form inside the arteries or veins. This formation may be due to various underlying conditions. The arteries and veins, both blood vessels, perform the major function of supplying blood throughout the body. A formation of an unwanted blood clot in these vessels may reduce the adequate supply of blood by obstructing its path. This may result in a stroke, heart attack or even death. It must be detected early and treated immediately.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BLOOD CLOTTING
The symptoms of the blood clots vary according to where it is located inside the body.
· IN THE HEART: pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, sweating, nausea, left arm pain, upper body pain
· LUNGS: Increased heart rate, shortness of breath, acute chest pain, fever, sweating, blood while coughing
· IN THE ABDOMEN: vomiting, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea
· BRAIN: difficulty speaking, one-sided weakness in the body, unclear vision, drowsiness, severe headache
· LEGS OR ARMS: swelling in the area, acute pain, tenderness, warmth
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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BLOOD CLOTS
Many people are unaware of the different risk factors and symptoms caused due to blood clots.
· Smoking
· Pregnancy
· Emergency hospitalization for illness or surgery
· A sudden trauma like a car accident
· Cancer
· High blood pressure
· Genetic history of blood clots
· Surgery of hip or knee
· Age
· Obesity or overweight
· Using birth control methods or oral contraceptives
· Chronic lung or liver diseases or being diabetic
· Increased cholesterol
TREATMENT FOR BLOOD CLOTS
The treatment lies in early diagnosis of the blood clot. For that, the health care providers prescribe several blood tests, that they use to analyze the rate of formation of the blood clot and the most affected areas.
The patients after diagnosis are generally put on blood-thinning medications such as WARFARIN [COUMADIN]. This medication reduces the formation of a blood clot by making the blood thin and increasing its efficiency. They are advised to monitor their PT/INR LEVEL also regularly to adjust the proper doses of WARFARIN. They can now, easily perform their blood test with PT/INR METERS,{inexpensive, affordable & portable]and can know the results within no time.