Many people are interested in the question of what is thrombosis. This is a vascular disease, which in one way or another is associated with a violation of blood coagulability, a violation of normal blood flow. A blood clot is, by and large, a blood clot that blocks the lumen of a vessel. Naturally, such a pathology can lead to a huge number of complications, up to the death of the patient. So what are the causes of the disease? What symptoms should I look for?
What is thrombosis?
It is worth noting that many people are faced with a diagnosis of thrombosis. A blood clot is a blood clot whose formation is a natural process. This is an adaptation of the body that helps stop bleeding when blood vessels are damaged.
Nevertheless, sometimes the formation of blood clots is not associated with damage to the vascular walls. In such cases, we are talking about a pathological process. After all, clots do not eliminate the “leak” in the veins and arteries, but simply circulate through the vessels. Over time, blood clots can increase in size, reducing the lumen of the vessels. Accordingly, the blood flow is disturbed, which affects the work of the whole organism. Tissues do not receive enough nutrients and oxygen, as a result of which their trophic changes are observed.
Pathology in the absence of timely treatment leads to dangerous complications. Thromboembolism is an acute condition that is accompanied by separation of a blood clot and complete blockage of vital vessels (in particular, the pulmonary artery). Such a pathology often develops so quickly that the patient dies long before he enters the medical care department. That is why it is important to know what thrombosis is and what symptoms it is accompanied by.
The main causes of the development of the disease
According to the information that the researchers were able to obtain, there are three main reasons, the simultaneous presence of which in almost 100% of cases leads to the development of thrombosis:
- violation of the integrity of the vessel wall (can be caused by both direct mechanical damage and exposure to tissue infectious toxins);
- a sharp decrease in the speed of blood flow (such a violation may be the result of compression of the vascular wall, or, for example, insufficiency of venous valves);
- increased blood coagulability (in this case, congenital malformations and platelet structures, exposure to chemicals, including some medications, can be attributed to the causes).
The main etiological causes of the development of the disease are described above. But certain factors lead to their appearance, which are also worth considering:
- more often from thrombosis suffer in old age;
- the likelihood of developing the disease is not excluded among young people who, for one reason or another, are forced to spend a long time in a sitting position, as well as lead a sedentary lifestyle; this is due to a violation of the blood flow to the heart and a gradual decrease in muscle tone of the lower extremities;
- for the same reason, blood clots form in people who for a long time must observe bed rest;
- risk factors include abdominal surgery;
- thrombosis can develop in a woman after cesarean section;
- overweight and obesity also increase the likelihood of developing the disease;
- prolonged use of drugs that affect blood coagulation can provoke the formation of a clot;
- smoking causes vasospasm and, accordingly, also increases the risk of pathology;
- risk factors include implant placement (eg, pacemakers) and prolonged catheterization;
- prolonged use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, can also affect the state of the vascular system;
- protracted infectious diseases can damage the walls of blood vessels, which provokes the development of thrombosis.
Quite often, thrombosis develops against the background of other diseases, including, for example, endarteritis, diabetes mellitus, etc.
Types of Thrombosis
Naturally, there are several classification systems for this pathology. Nevertheless, in the first place, the disease is divided depending on which vessels it affects:
- The most common is venous thrombosis. A similar pathology is accompanied by blood clotting and the formation of clots in the lumen of the veins. Most often, the disease affects the deep veins of the lower extremities, but vascular thrombosis in the upper part of the body is less common. In addition, pathology sometimes develops in the superficial veins. In any case, if untreated, the number of clots increases, blood clots spread along new venous arteries.
- Arterial thrombosis, according to statistics, is diagnosed less often, but it is much more dangerous. The fact is that the pressure and speed of blood flow in large arteries is much higher, and therefore there is always the possibility of a clot breaking off with further blockage of the lumen of important arteries. Even a temporary cessation of blood flow leads to ischemia of organs. For example, the separation of a blood clot and blockage of the coronary arteries almost always end with myocardial infarction. If arteries that carry blood to the brain overlap as a result of thrombosis, it is almost impossible to avoid a stroke.
The defeat of deep veins and its features
Most often, patients are diagnosed with “vein thrombosis of the lower extremities”. Symptoms, treatment, causes of pathology are important issues. This type of disease is considered one of the most common. For a long time, it can develop without any complications, but its consequences can be extremely dangerous.
In the early stages, the disease is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the legs, as well as soreness. At first, pain appears during physical exertion, but then it is present and at rest. Other symptoms include pallor of the skin, as well as constant swelling. The patient's quality of life is constantly deteriorating - even a short walk becomes a problem. Often against the background of thrombosis, phlebitis develops (inflammation of the venous walls), as well as other complications.
Intestinal thrombosis
Of course, all vessels of the human body are theoretically susceptible to thrombosis. And in medicine, cases of damage to the superior mesenteric artery are quite often recorded. With a similar disease, the small intestine and some parts of the colon suffer from circulatory disorders.
Diagnosis of the disease can be difficult, because the clinical picture is rather blurred. At the initial stages, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting appear, which are practically not associated with food intake, diarrhea, as well as a gradual decrease in body weight. Separation of a blood clot and occlusion of a vessel cause rapidly progressive ischemia of intestinal tissues, which is accompanied by severe, sharp pain in the abdomen. This condition often requires urgent surgical intervention.
Acute thrombosis and its symptoms
Pathology can develop for many weeks and even months without causing serious changes in the patient's condition. Therefore, people, as a rule, go to the doctor even when complications occur.
The formation of a large blood clot causes an emergency condition called acute thrombosis, the symptoms of which are hard to miss. Violation of blood circulation in tissues, severe oxygen starvation are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- acute pain that occurs in the affected limb;
- pallor of the skin;
- the skin over the affected area becomes cool to the touch;
- there is a violation of tactile and pain sensitivity;
- development of muscle contracture;
- impaired motor activity.
The presence of such violations is a good reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Thrombosis and thromboembolism
Do not underestimate the risk of thrombosis. Thromboembolism is an extremely dangerous condition. This is not an independent disease, but rather one of the consequences of thrombosis. For one reason or another, a blood clot enters the open bloodstream, after which it completely clogs the vessel. The result of embolism is oxygen starvation and rapidly developing tissue ischemia.
Separation of a blood clot and its entry into the heart vessels leads to a heart attack. Clogged arteries that carry blood to the brain lead to stroke and other damage to the nervous system. In most cases, the prognosis for patients is unfavorable, since not every patient manages to receive urgent medical care on time.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnostic process includes several basic steps. Of course, at first the doctor conducts an external examination and collects an anamnesis, but other studies are needed to determine the location of thrombosis. In particular, one of the most informative tests is Doppler ultrasound. For example, a similar procedure allows you to diagnose venous thrombosis in the veins of the lower extremities. There are other research methods, including phlebography, computer angiography, plethysmography, etc.
Coagulological tests are also prescribed, with which you can evaluate the degree and speed of blood coagulation. In the event that there is a suspicion of the presence of autoimmune thrombosis, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is additionally performed.
Modern treatments
Of course, an important issue for each patient is the treatment methods that modern medicine can offer. Therapy, of course, depends on the degree of development of thrombosis and the presence of complications.
In addition, complex treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as drugs that support the tone of the walls of the venous vessels. Physiotherapy is also helpful. It is important to adjust the diet, as well as maintain physical activity, engage in feasible physical work.
In some cases, surgery cannot be dispensed with. The operation is prescribed in the case of the formation of large blood clots and serious blood flow disorders.
Preventive measures: how to prevent the development of the disease?
Knowing what thrombosis is and under the influence of what factors it develops, several preventive measures can be identified that reduce the risk of developing the disease.
As for medical treatment, in the postoperative period, patients are prescribed drugs that thin the blood - this prevents the formation of clots. Patients who are forced to observe bed rest need regular therapeutic massage, which eliminates blood stasis.
Nutrition is also an important point - in order to avoid the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, it is necessary to reduce the amount of animal fat in the diet. With stagnation of blood in the veins of the lower extremities, wearing special compression underwear will help. And of course, do not forget about physical activity - this is the only way to maintain muscle tone and normalize blood circulation.
Is treatment possible with folk remedies?
Traditional medicine offers many tools that can thin the blood and, accordingly, prevent the formation of blood clots and dissolve existing ones. For example, it is considered quite effective to take tincture of white cinquefoil or chestnut. You can prepare them yourself or purchase ready-made medicines at the pharmacy.
You can prepare a medicine from citrus and garlic. To do this, grind two lemons (using a meat grinder) along with the peel. There, add peeled minced garlic (one head medium size). Mix the ingredients, pour a small amount of boiled chilled water, then cover and leave in the refrigerator for three days. After this, it is recommended to strain the infusion and take it in a tablespoon three times a day.
It should be understood that home remedies can only be used as an adjuvant and only after prior consultation with a doctor.