What is thrombosis? Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention

Many people are interested in the question of what thrombosis is. 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 thrombus is by and large a blood clot that blocks the lumen of the vessel. Naturally, this pathology can lead to a huge number of complications, up to the patient's death. So what are the causes of the disease? What symptoms should I pay attention to?

What is thrombosis?

It is worth noting that many people face such a diagnosis as thrombosis. A thrombus is a blood clot, the formation of which is a natural process. This is an adaptation of the body, helping to stop the bleeding when the vessels are damaged.

Nevertheless, sometimes the formation of thrombi is not associated with damage to the vascular walls. In such cases, it is a pathological process. After all, the clots do not eliminate the "leakage" in the veins and arteries, but simply circulate through the vessels. Over time, thrombi can grow in size, reducing the lumen of blood 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, which is accompanied by a separation of the blood clot and complete blockage of vital vessels (in particular, the pulmonary artery). Such pathology often develops so quickly that the patient dies long before it gets to the department of medical care. That is why it is important to know what thrombosis is and what symptoms it accompanies.

The main causes of the disease

According to the information obtained by the researchers, 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 tissues of infectious toxins);
• A sharp decrease in the rate of blood flow (a similar disorder can be the result of squeezing the vascular wall, or, for example, the failure of venous valves);
• Increased coagulability of the blood (for reasons in this case, congenital anomalies in the development and structure of platelets, the impact of chemicals, including some drugs).

The main etiological causes of the development of the disease are described above. But certain factors are leading to their appearance, which should also be considered:

• More often from thrombosis suffer in old age;
• The likelihood of developing the disease is not ruled out among young people who, for one reason or another, are forced to spend a long time in a sitting position, and also lead a sedentary lifestyle; This is due to a violation of the blood flow to the heart and a gradual decrease in the tone of the muscles of the lower limbs;
• For the same reason, blood clots form in people who, for a long time, must comply with bed rest;
• Risk factors include cavitary operations;
• Thrombosis can develop in a woman after cesarean section;
• Overweight and obesity also increase the likelihood of developing the disease;
• Long-term use of drugs that affect the coagulability of blood, can provoke the formation of a clot;
• Smoking causes vasospasm and, accordingly, also increases the risk of developing pathology;
• Risk factors include the establishment of implants (for example, pacemakers) and long-term catheterization;
• Long-term 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 a 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 the thrombosis of the vessels in the upper part of the body is observed less often. In addition, the pathology sometimes develops in the superficial veins. In any case, in the absence of treatment, the number of clots increases, thrombi spread through new venous trunks.
• Thrombosis of arteries, according to statistics, is diagnosed less often, but it is much more dangerous. The fact is that the pressure and velocity of the blood flow in the large arteries is much higher, and therefore there is always the possibility of detachment of the clot with further obstruction of the lumen of important arteries. Even a temporary cessation of blood flow leads to ischemia of the organs. For example, a thrombus rupture and a blockage of the coronary arteries almost always result in myocardial infarction. If as a result of thrombosis the arteries that carry blood to the brain are blocked, it is almost impossible to avoid a stroke.

Defeat of deep veins and its features

Most often, patients are confronted with a diagnosis of "vein thrombosis of the lower extremities". Symptoms, treatment, causes of pathology are important questions. 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 of the disease is accompanied by a sensation of raspiraniya in the legs, as well as soreness. First the pain appears during physical exertion, but then it is present at rest. Other symptoms include pallor of the skin, as well as permanent puffiness. The patient's quality of life is constantly deteriorating - even a short walk becomes a problem. Often against the background of thrombosis develops phlebitis (inflammation of the venous walls), as well as other complications.

Thrombosis of the vessels of the intestine

Of course, thrombosis is theoretically subject to all the vessels of the human body. And in medicine, cases of lesions of the upper-bilious artery are quite often recorded. With such a disease, the small intestine and some thick sections suffer from blood circulation disorders.

Diagnosis of the disease can be difficult, because the clinical picture is rather blurred. In the initial stages, there are abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting, which are virtually unrelated to eating, diarrhea, and a gradual decrease in body weight. Closure of the clot and blockage of the vessel cause a rapidly progressive ischemia of the intestinal tissues, which is accompanied by a strong, sharp pain in the abdomen. This condition is often required for urgent surgical intervention.

Acute thrombosis and its signs

Pathology can develop many weeks and even months without causing major changes in the patient's condition. Therefore, people, as a rule, consult a doctor already when complications arise.

The formation of a large thrombus causes an emergency condition called "acute thrombosis", the symptoms of which are difficult to overlook. Violation of blood circulation in tissues, expressed oxygen starvation is 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 disorders 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, the blood clot enters the open bloodstream, and then completely clogs the vessel. The result of embolism is oxygen starvation and rapidly developing tissue ischemia.

The separation of the thrombus and its entry into the cardiac vessels leads to a heart attack. Blockage of arteries carrying blood to the brain leads to a stroke and other lesions of the nervous system. In most cases, the prognosis for patients is unfavorable, as far as not every patient succeeds in getting urgent medical help on time.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnostic process involves 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 localization of thrombosis. In particular, one of the most informative tests is ultrasound dopplerography. For example, a similar procedure allows you to diagnose venous thrombosis in the veins of the lower extremities. There are other methods of research, including phlebography, computer angiography, plethysmography, etc.

Coagulogic tests are also used to assess the degree and rate of clotting. In the event that there is a suspicion of the presence of autoimmune thromboses, an additional immunoenzymatic blood test is performed.

Modern methods of treatment

Of course, the important issue for each patient is the methods of treatment that modern medicine can offer. Therapy, of course, depends on the degree of development of thrombosis and the presence of complications.

In the early stages, combined medical therapy is possible. The treatment regimen includes the use of anticoagulants, in particular warfarin and heparin. These substances dilute the blood, ensure the dissolution of thrombi and prevent the formation of new ones.

In addition, complex treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as drugs that support the tone of the walls of venous vessels. Physiotherapy is also useful. It is important to adjust the diet, as well as maintain physical activity, engage in feasible physical work.

In some cases, surgical intervention can not be avoided. 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 can reduce the risk of developing the disease.

As for the drug treatment, in the postoperative period, patients are prescribed medications that dilute the blood - this prevents the formation of clots. Patients who are forced to comply with bed rest, need regular medical massage, which removes stagnation of blood.

An important point is nutrition - in order to avoid the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, it is necessary to reduce the number of animal fats in the diet. With the stagnation of blood in the veins of the lower limbs will help wearing special compression underwear. 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 dilute blood and, accordingly, prevent the formation of blood clots and dissolve the already existing ones. For example, it is considered quite effective to take a tincture of white tamarin or chestnut. You can prepare them yourself or buy ready-made medicines in the pharmacy.

You can prepare a medicine from citrus and garlic. For this, you need to grind two lemons (using a meat grinder) together with the skin. There also add the purified chopped garlic (one head of medium size). Stir 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 on a tablespoon three times a day.

It should be understood that home remedies can only be used as an auxiliary and only after preliminary consultation with a doctor.