A thrombosis or blood clot is a disorder or blockage of a blood vessel. Most commonly, thrombosis occurs in the legs or veins of older people after long periods of sitting or lack of exercise.
What is thrombosis?
Thrombosis is a vascular disease in which a thrombus (blood clot) forms in a blood vessel. Thrombosis can occur in any vessel (e.g., veins and arteries) in the human body. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, called a thrombus, within a blood vessel. This leads to a narrowing or even blockage of the vessels. Thrombosis most commonly occurs in the deep veins of the legs and pelvis. Less common are blood clots in the superficial veins. These are varicose veins and are usually less dangerous. Thrombosis is the most common vascular disease. Arterial thrombosis is less common. It leads to a disruption of blood flow to the affected organ or area of the body, resulting in a lack of oxygen.
Causes
The cause of thrombosis can be the slowing of blood flow. This can happen due to immobilization, especially of the legs, such as after surgery, after childbirth, or due to prolonged sitting, such as in a car, train, or airplane. Also the change of blood composition can lead to thrombosis. Worth mentioning here is the warm season, when the affected person drinks too little and wears high-heeled shoes. Another possible cause of thrombosis can be the alteration of the vessel wall due to inflammation, injuries or deposits. Special factors such as the intake of estrogens, the consumption of nicotine (smoking) or also infections can significantly increase the probability of developing a thrombosis. Frequent and regular fatty eating can also lead to deposits on the vessel walls. This in turn also increases the risk of a blood clot. However, half of thrombosis cases can be attributed to a disease-related and hereditary disorder of blood clotting, also called APC resistance.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Thrombosis can cause a wide variety of symptoms, with symptoms depending on the blood vessel affected. Sometimes no symptoms occur or the clot causes discomfort only after a while. Basically, a feeling of heaviness or tension in the foot or leg indicates a thrombosis. The leg, lower leg or ankle swells, the skin is warm and may also turn bluish or reddish. There may be a pulling pain that resembles a sore muscle. Swelling occurs, which worsens as the condition progresses. It is noticeable that the symptoms subside as soon as the affected person elevates his or her legs. However, this does not improve the disease itself. If the vein is blocked and the blood can no longer drain properly, it sometimes also flows through veins that are located superficially. These then appear on the shin as so-called “warning veins” and are very clearly visible. If a thrombosis forms in a vein in the arm, then the symptoms described appear on this part of the body. If the symptoms are not treated, breathing problems or chest pain may also occur in some circumstances; some patients then cough up blood, which is a sign of pulmonary embolism.
Disease progression
The disease course of thrombosis is difficult to determine in some cases. After the clot has narrowed the blood vessel, it may continue to enlarge and eventually block the vessel completely. In particular, there is a risk that the thrombus will break loose and travel to the lungs. Here it can become lodged and lead to a pulmonary embolism, i.e. the blockage of a blood vessel in the lung. This can even lead to the death of the affected person. If the thrombosis does not dissolve, new blood circulation can form here to bypass the blockage. Symptoms may include swelling of the legs, a feeling of heaviness, or pain in the calf.
Complications
Thrombosis can be associated with various complications. For example, the blood clot is often followed by the retention of a vein that is partially or even completely blocked. As a result, a backlog of blood forms within the affected limb.Due to the increased venous pressure, varicose veins, brownish discolorations on the lower leg and chronic swelling develop after a few years. Not infrequently, this can lead to the development of an ulcer in the ankle region, which is referred to in medicine as a leg ulcer. Doctors also refer to these sequelae as post-thrombotic syndrome. One of the most serious and feared complications of thrombosis is embolism. It is caused due to detachment of parts or the entire blood clot. The blood washes the clot away so that it travels through veins and the right heart to the lungs, where it causes a pulmonary embolism. Patients with deep vein thrombosis are particularly affected by pulmonary embolism. This complication takes on different degrees of severity. Another serious consequence of thrombosis is sepsis (blood poisoning). In this sequelae, bacteria settle in the blood clot and spread with the blood throughout the patient’s body. Antibiotics are usually administered as a countermeasure. Another complication is chronic venous insufficiency. This is a permanent weakness of the veins. It becomes noticeable through the development of varicose veins, edema (water retention in the tissue) and skin inflammation.
When should you see a doctor?
In case of disturbances in blood circulation, abnormalities in heart activity, as well as acute irregularities in the organism, a doctor should be consulted. Tightness in the limbs, a feeling of heaviness, or discoloration of the skin are indications of impaired health. Since thrombosis can develop into a life-threatening condition for the affected person, a visit to the doctor must be made already at the first inconsistencies. Warning signals of the organism are problems with breathing as well as chest pain. A stabbing sensation in the area of the heart must be immediately examined and treated by a doctor. In case of an acute health-threatening condition, an emergency medical service should be alerted immediately. A sudden drop in internal strength, severe dizziness, unsteadiness of gait, and disturbances in consciousness are emergency signals from the body. Until the arrival of a rescue team, persons present must take first aid measures to ensure the survival of the affected person. Swelling, gait unsteadiness, as well as impaired range of motion are other signs of a health irregularity. A visible formation of veins on the legs or arms, for example, should be presented to a physician. It is already a first indication of the presence of a disease of the blood circulation. The formation of varicose veins, water retention and general irregularities of blood flow should also be discussed with a doctor at an early stage. Action is needed if headaches, dysfunction or sensory disturbances are present.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of one of the blood clots depends on the size, location, and age of the thrombosis. However, the first goal in any case should be to prevent the thrombus from enlarging. This is achieved, among other things, by the administration of heparin and other blood thinners. Within the first ten days, it is still possible to restore blood flow and eliminate the thrombosis in this way. This is achieved by drug treatment. In more severe and already older cases of the disease, surgical intervention must be performed. This can be a thrombectomy or a bypass. In a thrombectomy, the clot is removed from the vessel. If the thrombosis is treated with bypass surgery, the clogged area of the blood vessel is merely bypassed and blood flow is restored in this way. Since there is a continuing risk of thrombosis, thrombosis is followed by longer-term drug treatment with blood-thinning agents. The use of thrombosis stockings is also recommended, and the patient should exercise regularly.
Follow-up care
Once the clot is removed, the danger is over. But the risk for developing a new blood clot may still exist. The medical approach is to decrease blood clotting with the result that platelet clumping is minimized. For this reason, thrombosis patients are often given tablets that lead to the inhibition of blood clotting.Such drugs can usually be prescribed for months or years – patients should take them consistently. Taking blood-thinning medication is associated in the smallest way with a restriction of life. Nevertheless, it should always be borne in mind that the blood clots less well as a result. Anyone who injures themselves should therefore expect wounds to bleed not only more profusely but also for longer. Bruising could also occur more quickly. Before an operation, the medication should be discontinued in good time after consultation with the doctor. Naturopathic substances can also effectively accompany aftercare, for example garlic and onions are known for their blood-thinning effect. In addition, preparations of horse chestnut and comfrey can help with feelings of tension and heaviness in the area of the legs. Thrombosis aftercare aims to prevent platelets from clumping together again so that a blood clot cannot travel to vital organs such as the heart.
Here’s what you can do yourself
There are many ways to reduce the risk of thrombosis, with the help of simple measures in everyday life. Sufficient exercise ensures good blood flow in the legs and thus prevents a blood clot. Endurance sports such as cycling or swimming are particularly suitable. Less suitable, on the other hand, are short, jerky movements, such as those that occur when playing tennis. In addition to an active lifestyle, attention should also be paid to a balanced diet. If possible, excess weight should be reduced to a normal weight. In addition, alcohol and nicotine should ideally not be consumed. In addition, it is important to always drink enough water. It is advisable to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Short walks or leg exercises while sitting, for example, can be done if long periods of sitting cannot be avoided altogether. For longer flights, it is advisable to wear special compression or support stockings as a preventive measure. The stockings can also be worn when it is very hot, or while sleeping. To support the blood flow in the veins, cold showers or cold foot baths are also suitable. Alternating showers can also stimulate blood flow. The birth control pill can pose a risk of thrombosis. Therefore, if possible, alternative contraceptive methods should be considered and clarified by a doctor.
