Articles

Blood Clots

I am sure you have heard of someone who has had a blood clot in their leg and wondered how that happens. Blood clots are clumps of cells and protein in your blood. A clot helps slow bleeding when injured. It usually dissolves as you heal. But if it doesn’t, or if it forms when it is not needed, it can clog up or completely block a blood vessel.

An unexpected clot can lead to serious problems and even death. A clot in an artery can give you a heart attack or a stroke. If it happens in a vein, you can feel pain and swelling in a leg or arm. A clot that is deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you get a clot in your lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolus.

You can even get a blood clot if you break a bone or pull a muscle badly. Sometimes you may not even realize you have one! If you experience swelling in your lower leg or calf area, this might be a sign of a blood clot, but you can also get one in your arms, belly or kidneys. If a clot plugs up a vein in a leg or arm, often your extremity will look reddish or even bluish.  

If a clot breaks off and travels to your lungs (pulmonary embolus), you might feel clammy, your skin may look pale or bluish, have a fast pulse, chest pain, bloody cough, or be short of breath. If the clot has traveled to your heart, you might experience some of the same symptoms, but also experience left arm pain, and feel nauseated and lightheaded with the chest pain. Both of these conditions are medical emergencies and need to either call 911 or go to the hospital immediately!

Another condition that can occur as a result of a clot is a stroke. When pressure builds up and blood can’t flow normally, this can lead to a stroke. Without oxygen from blood, brain cells start to die within minutes. Symptoms of a clot in the brain include headaches, confusion, seizures, speech problems, and weakness, sometimes on one just side of the body. Remember the acronym “FAST” for strokes that has been used by the National Stroke Association and American Health Association to educate the public on detecting symptoms of a stroke which includes: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time.

If you suspect you may have a clot, call your doctor immediately or go the emergency room to get it checked out. A clot is a serious medical condition and can be deadly. Some treatments include medications, clot-busting drugs, or even surgically treading a thin tube to the site of the clot to dissolve it. The treatment depends on the type of clot and location.

Preventative measures to developing a clot include maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, and exercising. Don’t sit for a long time, especially after driving in a car or flying in a plane.  If you sit for long periods of time at a desk, get up and move around at least every couple of hours. Flex your legs, feet and toes while sitting. Use compression stockings especially when traveling for long periods of time and move your legs around while in your seat. And, make sure you see your doctor regularly to keep you in good health.

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