Thrombosis • Detect & treat blood clots!

Thrombosis is a vascular disease in which a blood clot forms in a vessel (mostly in a vein, but also in arteries) and causes a vascular blockage. The risk of such a blood clot generally increases when the blood's normal ability to clot is abnormally increased.

In the worst case, the blood clot leads to death

Thromboses are among the most common worldwide Hospitalization complicationsassociated with bed rest or surgery. The thrombosis itself can be more or less uncomfortable.

The great danger is that a thrombus detached from the vessel wall will be washed away with the blood in the vessels. Depending on its size, as an embolus, it can clog supply vessels of important organs, which can have fatal consequences – for example, death from pulmonary embolism.

Birth control pills and smoking increase the risk of thrombosis

The medical term for a blood clot is called a thrombus. Such blood clots form when blood coagulates inside the vessels. This can be done on one Vascular damage, a disorder in the coagulation system or circulatory disorders be due. Also certain drugs as well as that birth control pills increase the risk of thrombosis even in young women many times over. Smoking, obesity and pregnancy are also among the risk factors, which are often mutually reinforcing.

"Classic" thrombosis affects the leg veins

The thrombosis can turn out to be complete or partial occlusion of a vessel demonstrate. The thrombus usually emerged gradually at this point. The classic thrombosis is deep vein thrombosis, but other parts of the circulatory system are also considered to be predestined: heart valves, apex, coronary vessels, cerebral vessels, arteries in the intestine, leg arteries and veins of the leg and pelvis, the rectum (hemorrhoids!) And the arm .

Thrombosis: what are the causes?

Various factors increase the risk of thrombosis. These include long periods of sitting on the plane, but also the use of birth control pills, cancer or a long hospital stay with bed confinement.

The thrombosis is one dreaded complicationwhich, in severe cases, can even cause pulmonary embolism. The thrombosis often develops after operations in the hospital, but also

• as a result of prolonged bed rest / bed rest
• by long periods of sitting still (Flight, conference or the like),
• due to any form of lack of exercise (in old age),
• because of Dehydration (Lack of fluid in the body),
• by arteriosclerotic, congested, inflammatory vascular changes or
• constricted vessels, for example through mechanical crushing or a plaster cast.
• due to varicose veins, weak veins, phlebitis and heart failure (heart failure)

Thromboses and coagulation disorders have many triggers

In a nutshell, every form of Circulatory disorder in the blood vessels the formation of clots. This can change the composition of the blood and reduce the speed of blood flow.

The risk of thrombosis is also increased in:

• Cancers
• pregnancy
• congenital bleeding disorders
• Taking birth control pills, especially newer ones Third and fourth generation preparations with the active ingredient drospirenone
• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Smoke
• previous thrombosis

Symptoms of a thrombosis

Many people have a thrombosis without even realizing it. But not knowing about the clot can have serious consequences. How to recognize a thrombosis.

The clogging of a blood vessel by a thrombus can cause a variety of symptoms. Typical Thrombosis Symptoms are:

• Pain from that clogged blood vessel (for example, calf pain is a typical thrombosis symptom)
• Feeling of heaviness and tension (for example in the leg) and swelling of the same
• bluish or red discoloration of the skin surface
• Overheating of the swollen leg
• possibly fever
• Pressure pain on the sole of the foot of the affected leg
• Relief by elevating the affected extremity
• possibly edema, i.e. water retention, in the thrombotic case

Thrombosis symptoms in the calf or foot

Thrombosis often develops in the lower extremities, i.e. in the leg or that foot. The Symptoms of a thrombosis in the calf or foot are not always typical. Unilateral, sore-like pain and tension in the calf or pain on the inside of the thigh towards the groin can be signs of a vein thrombosis.

Many people have a thrombosis without realizing it. But knowing nothing about it is not in the least synonymous with security. Just that creeping onset of thrombosiswhich does not cause any complaints or symptoms and is therefore often only discovered by the doctor as an incidental finding, can have dramatic consequences: Because if the blood clot called a thrombus, released from its mostly venous origin, it is carried away and reaches other vascular systems.

Severe thrombosis symptoms resemble a heart attack or stroke

Also on the way through the bloodstream of the Lungs a vessel can become blocked. Depending on the size of the thrombus, this is hardly noticeable for the person affected – or the Thrombosis manifests itself in violent complaintscomparable to those of a heart attack. In the worst case, such a pulmonary embolism can lead to death.

The vascular occlusion of a cerebral artery (stroke) has similar effects: all areas downstream are no longer supplied with blood, food and, above all, oxygen. After just two minutes, the irrevocable death of nerve cells begins and with it the loss of important mental and physical performance Long-term effects of a thrombosis.

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Thrombosis diagnosis: This is how the doctor's examination works

A venous thrombosis usually only causes diffuse and unspecific symptoms. The diagnosis by the doctor is correspondingly difficult. But there are technical aids available to him.

Diagnosing thrombosis can be because of Abundance of various signs of illness be very difficult. However, the exact diagnosis is the alpha and omega and the prerequisite for successful treatment. This can only be done with a detailed survey Extent of thrombosis clearly and indicates the risk of possible complications.

Thrombosis examination: from ultrasound to phlebography

The medic are available in the case of one Suspected thrombosis the following resources are available:

1. Medical interview and examination: inspection (looking) and palpation (palpation) of the affected body area (for example leg), examination Discoloration, edema and more. Queries about the pain of the potential thrombosis patient.
2. Ultrasonic-Examination (Doppler or duplex sonography): The blood clots are visible on a screen.
3. X-ray imaging With contrast agent (phlebography): Here, thrombi form as recesses in the course of the vessel, since no contrast agent can flow through the affected part.
4. The examinations are completely painless, only when roentgen the contrast agent is given by syringe or infusion. Tell the doctor about a possible beforehand Contrast agent allergy on!
5. To rule out a thrombosis, the D-dimer test that works 95 percent safely. Conversely, no blood clots can be detected with this laboratory chemical method.

Thrombosis Therapy: These treatment options are available

When treating thrombosis, it is important to be quick to avoid permanent damage.

Thrombosis can be treated with anticoagulant drugs, but also compression and movement. While those affected used to be prescribed strict bed rest and lying up for 14 days, today other means are used. These include:

• A compression bandage is applied to the affected extremity (usually the leg). This is supposed to ensure that the blood clot is pressed against the vein wall and cannot loosen.
• Instead of immobilization one strives for that Movement of the thrombosis patient wearing a compression bandage to prevent the blood from stalling. It would encourage a new thrombosis.

Medicinal thrombosis treatment through the ages

• As an acute anticoagulant, heparin is given in the form of syringes or as a continuous infusion.
• Others too Anticoagulants such as factor Xa inhibitors or coumarin derivatives (such as marcumar) are used to treat the clot dissolve and reduce the ability of blood to clot.
• Depending on the symptoms and if there are no contraindications, a Lysis therapy a drug attempt is made to dissolve the clot. This thrombosis treatment was standard 15 years ago, today it is only used in exceptional cases. The Thrombolysis can also be performed only two days after a vessel has been blocked by the thrombus.

Preventing thrombosis: Our tips

To prevent thrombosis, exercise is particularly recommended, for example through physiotherapy. Anticoagulant drugs are used in the hospital.

Since a thrombosis harbors the risk of an embolism, every patient today, if this is possible, after an operation encouraged to stand up and move.

Drugs used to prevent thrombosis

In addition, as a precautionary measure, blood clotting is started before the operation Medicationthat the doctor or the patient himself inject into the abdomen, to significantly limit.

The term anticoagulants includes drugs that help prevent the blood from clumping together (coagulation, clotting). Essentially they are Heparin (syringes) and those of the coumarin type (Marcumar, tablets). This can usually prevent thromboses and embolisms.

The main contraindications for anticoagulant drugs are increased bleeding tendency, suspected vascular damage, epilepsy, alcoholism, kidney stones.

When Side effects can occur:

• Bleeding (skin, mucous membrane, organs),
• Skin changes,
• Hair loss,
• Gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting),
• Interactions with numerous drugs in the sense of a prolongation or shortening of the effect.

The active substance Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) Although it thins the blood, it mainly acts in arteries and only slightly in veins. However, recent studies suggest that ASA significantly reduces the risk of thrombosis after major operations on the hip or knee joint.

Thrombosis stockings and enough drinking – but no alcohol

A thrombosis can also be prevented with Physiotherapy and wearing compression stockings. This is especially true if you have varicose veins. However, if you do need to sit for a long time (on long flights, meetings, and so on), you should take preventive measures: Make sure you drink enough water and no alcohol – it further dehydrates and thickens the blood.

Women over 35 should consider an alternative to the birth control pill, especially if they smoke.

Preventing travel thrombosis: exercises for the veins

When traveling, for example on a plane, you should move as much as possible. Get up at least once an hour. Physical activity is also possible on site:

• Sit up straight, put your feet up, and then alternately pull your toes and heels up.
• Roll your feet from toes to heels and back, right and left in opposite directions.
• Let shoulders circle back and forth.
• Repeat each exercise ten times.

The exercises activate the muscle pump in the calf and ensure that the venous valves work well and blood flow from the legs to the heart works.

It is important to drink a lot, not to cross your legs and not to wear tight clothing. If you already have vein problems, it is best to put on compression stockings during a long flight, which facilitate the return of the blood.

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