Blood coagulation disorders

Like every system in our body, the coagulation system can also have various disorders. Since coagulation depends on many factors and substances in the tissue or blood, it is particularly important that no irregularities occur. At the same time, this makes the coagulation cascade very susceptible to errors.

Depending on which factor is affected by a disorder, the coagulation can be influenced to a greater or lesser extent. This depends on the severity of the disorder. In the following two disorders are explained in more detail.

The factor V (5) plays an important role in the coagulation cascade. After its activation, it triggers the formation of fibrin together with the activated factor X, so that in the event of an injury, bleeding is first stopped by a fibrin network. This factor V can be affected by a mutation, i.e. an error in the DNA.

In medical terminology, this disorder is known as a Factor V Leiden mutation. It is a hereditary defect, which is one of the most common congenital disorders of the coagulation system. This disorder means that the activity of factor V can no longer be stopped.

Normally, it is split by a protein (protein C), causing it to lose its function and coagulation to cease. If this mechanism no longer functions, factor V continues to work continuously. In the end, this means that the entire coagulation process takes place with a higher activity than normal.

As a result, the blood becomes thicker. Thicker blood carries the risk of blood clots forming more often. This means that the patients concerned have an increased risk of blood clots.

In medicine this is also known as thrombophilia. Blood clots, also known as thrombi, occur mainly in the veins and can block them, which can lead to weakness in the affected area or even headaches. This process is also known as thrombosis.

Thromboses in the legs can cause pain and swelling. There is also a risk that the blood clot will come loose and block other vessels in the lungs or even the brain. A pulmonary embolism or a stroke are possible consequences.

If there is an increased risk of thrombosis, the disease is often treated with blood-thinning medication. This keeps the blood more fluid and reduces the probability of blood clots. If the blood clotting is too weak, bleeding will last longer than normal.

More time passes until the body stops the bleeding. If it is too strong, the clotting will be stronger. Too much clotting can have different causes.

Two of them have already been explained in detail. However, the composition of the blood, the blood flow and also changes in the walls of the blood vessels can also be responsible for such changes. This can lead to an imbalance between coagulation-promoting and coagulation-inhibiting factors.

Patients who have a congenital or acquired tendency to blood clotting are exposed to an increased risk of thrombosis. They tend to develop an increased risk of blood clots, which can have serious consequences such as a pulmonary embolism. If a blood clot breaks loose, it can be carried through the bloodstream into the lungs, where it clogs the blood vessels.

Those affected suffer from sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Blood clots can also form in arteries. This is especially the case when there are constrictions due to vascular calcification. Arterial blood clots can flow into vessels in the brain and, if blocked, can lead to a stroke.