What Is A Blood Clot?
You have probably been in a situation whereby after falling or having a quick shave you accidentally injure yourself, and blood clots save you from losing excess blood. These blood clots are supposed to fall apart with time as the injury heals itself. However, when they fail to fall off, they become dangerous and deadly.
Notably, blood is meant to seamlessly flow through various parts and organs of the body, supplying them with various nutrients and carrying away any waste materials. In case of an injury, a series of chemical interactions occur within the body to enable blood to solidify and clump together to prevent excessive bleeding.
The chemical interactions that form blood clots occur when platelets and blood protein form a plug and stick on the walls of the injured tissue, thus minimizing or completely preventing the loss of excessive blood. As the damaged tissue heal, blood clots become unnecessary, and the body begins to break it down slowly.
The risk factors of Blood Clots
Several factors can cause blood clots not to dissolve or fall off. Notably, this becomes a painful and dangerous situation, especially when the clots form deep in the veins, lungs, or muscles. Unnecessary blood clots serve as road bumps that prevent blood from flowing smoothly to other organs.
As a result, vital organs become deprived of required nutrients, meaning they will also not be able to function effectively. In case you are wondering what causes blood clots, here are some of the risk factors of blood clots:
- Age
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Family history
- Heart diseases
- Certain medication
Elderly people have fragile bodies, and any injury can be fatal. Therefore, knowing some of the types, risk factors, and symptoms of blood clots can enable you to recognize when to seek prompt treatment and save your life.
Types of Blood Clots
There are two main categories of blood clots. These are:
- Thrombosis: These are the clots that form in arteries and interfere with the steady flow of blood to other organs.
- Embolisms: These refer to the clots that form in veins and develop gradually, thus being able to move to other body parts.
Blood clots can also form in the following body parts:
- Arms and legs
- Heart
- Lungs
- Kidney
- Brain
- Abdomen
Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots
At times, the signs and symptoms of blood clots can be minimal, thus making it easy for someone to overlook. However, it is important to enlighten yourself about the signs to prevent any complications and deaths. Some of the warning blood clot symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Tender veins
- Unexplained cough
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numb, warm, or cold arms or legs
- Muscle pain in the affected area
- Redness and swelling in the affected area
How to Prevent Blood Clots
Most of the blood clots can be prevented by following the guidelines outlined below
- Avoid sitting for extended periods: you must practice taking short strolls to prevent straining your muscles
- Observe a healthy lifestyle: Practicing healthy changes in your day-to-day life such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, among others significantly decreases your chances of developing blood clots.
- Know your risk take special precautions during long-distance travels
- Keep any underlying conditions such as diabetes under control
- Always stay hydrated
However, if you have already been diagnosed with blood clots, do not despair as there are several treatment options for you.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Blood Clots
If you are wondering how to get rid of blood clots, it might encourage you to know that most treatment options for blood clots are effective. Therefore, if you suspect you or someone close to you might have blood clots, you should seek immediate medical assistance.
Blood clots are often treated using medication, surgery, and the use of special devices that assist in opening the clogged blood vessels. For blood clots that are within the circulatory system, thrombotic therapy is often the most recommended treatment option.
Remember blood clots can form anywhere and cause serious complications. but being aware of the risk and symptoms is your weapon to saving your health.
