THROMBOSIS


Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel. The clot may block the blood vessel and prevent or reduce the flow of blood, which can cause serious health consequences. It is also possible for the blood clot to move through the circulatory system to other areas of the body. If the clot travels to major organs, such as the brain or lungs, it can also cause serious health symptoms including a heart attack or a stroke. Although clotting is a normally bodily function, if the body starts to produce clots where they are not required, then this can become a problem.

Both classifications that exist for thrombosis are, the venous thrombosis and the arterial thrombosis, the type of thrombosis relapses into if this one was formed in an artery or vein, then several subtypes of the thrombosis exist.

Some of the Subtypes are:

Superficial Vein Thrombosis:

A superficial vein is a vein which is close to the surface of the body. They are normally responsible for helping to cool the body. It may be possible to see these veins bulging out under certain conditions. Patients may feel a slightly harder area or witness some reddening of the area. These thromboses are not normally as serious as deep vein thrombosis; however they can become more serious if they are able to enter deep veins through the perforator veins.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis occurs within the deep veins, which run further away from the surface of the skin. More blood is carried through the deep vein systems than through the superficial veins. Most deep vein thrombosis occurs within the legs, although they can occur anywhere within the deep vein system.

Renal Vein Thrombosis

A renal vein thrombosis is a thrombosis that occurs in the veins that drain blood away from the kidneys. These clots reduce the ability of the kidneys to clean and filter the blood.

Arterial Thrombosis

Arterial thrombosis is much less common than venous thrombosis, although it poses similar risks. The veins are responsible for taking blood and oxygen to different sections of the body. The blood is normally subject to higher pressure when it is travelling in the veins and may be moving more quickly. It is therefore less likely to clot in the arteries.
http://www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk/different-types-of-thrombosis/

Deep vein thrombosis can be related among people and doctors as the type wich makes the greater impact on humans, so why is DVP so dangerous ?

If discovered early, DVT can be treated with medications and compression. But if it’s missed or left untreated, DVT can lead to serious health problems. In fact, about one-third of people with DVT develop long-term complications.

Dangerous Complications of DVT

Serious, life-threatening complications can develop due to DVT, including:

Pulmonary embolism. The most serious complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), says Larry Santora, MD, a cardiologist at St. Joseph Health in Orange, Calif. A PE occurs when a piece of a clot breaks off and travels in the bloodstream to the lungs. If the clot is big enough, it can prevent blood from reaching the lungs, and the result of the cutting off of blood supply to the lungs can be fatal. About 25 percent of people experience sudden death from PE. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year approximately 60,000 to 100,000 people in the United States die of this complication of DVT.

Heart failure. PE can also obstruct blood flow in the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the lungs. This puts strain on the heart. A strained heart can't pump blood to support the organs as it should, a condition known as heart failure. About 50 percent of people who develop heart failure don’t live for more than five years after they’re diagnosed.

Post-thrombotic syndrome. When everything in the body is working properly, blood flows from the veins in the legs and arms back to the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated. If clots have formed in the veins, they can obstruct blood flow, causing it to pool in the extremities, typically the ankles. This pooling leads to pain and swelling in the legs or arms, known as edema or lymphedema.

“If the swelling persists, the skin can break down, skin infections can develop, and wounds might not heal,” Dr. Santora says. This condition is known as “venous statis ulcers.” Your doctor may refer to this pain and swelling as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) or post-phlebitic syndrome. The more severe the DVT, the more likely the signs and symptoms of PTS will be severe as well.

How to prevent DVT

Keep moving. According to the CDC, the risk for DVT increases if you’re static (almost completely still in one spot) for more than four hours. If you’re traveling long-distance or sick and confined to bed, try to get up and stretch your legs  every few hours. You may be able to perform leg lifts or exercises in which you tighten and release your leg muscles from where you’re seated or lying, Dr. Goldberg says.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being obese increases the risk of DVT and its potentially fatal complications. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get good sleep, and control stress.

Talk with your doctor. Find out about the risk factors for DVT. If you’re at increased risk, work with your doctor to determine ways to lower your risk. If you develop DVT, talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk of complications, such as taking medication to prevent clots or wearing compression stockings.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dvt-awareness/dangerous-complications-of-dvt/