What Causes Blood Clots

When we have a small cut or injury, then it results in breakage in the blood vessels and it starts bleeding. After some time, the bleeding stops and we can see that the blood has thickened and clots are formed at the injury site. The blood clotting process is influenced by the inner lining of the blood vessels, blood proteins, and blood platelets. Thus the body seals up an external injury by clotting up the blood, preventing loss of blood. However, if the clotting takes place inside the blood vessels then it could be a serious health complication. A blood clot inside the blood vessels is referred to as a thrombus. In the following sections, we are going to discuss about what causes blood clot in various parts of the body.

Causes of Blood Clots

There are various reasons that can lead to blood clots in the human body. Depending on the location of the clot, these reasons can differ. The following paragraphs give information on what causes blood clots in different parts of the body.

What Causes Blood Clots in the Brain?
The carotid arteries are those blood vessels that are located in the neck area and are responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If any clot is formed inside these particular arteries, then it will block the blood circulation in the brain and thus there will be deficiency of oxygen in the brain. This is a serious health condition and can cause mini stroke or transient ischemic attack. If a big blood clot is formed inside the brain, then it can lead to a stroke. These arterial clots occur due to deposits of plaque inside the arteries. High blood pressure, high cholesterol level, smoking, diabetes, etc. mainly trigger these kind of arterial clots. Read more on blood clot in the brain.

What Causes Blood Clots in the Lungs?
The pulmonary artery is the one that extends from the heart to the lungs. If a blood clot or thrombus from any part of the body travels through the bloodstream and gets stuck inside the pulmonary artery, then the condition is known as pulmonary embolism. This kind of blood clots blocks the blood from reaching out to the lungs. This could be a life threatening condition. Any kind of damage in the lungs, deep vein thrombosis, abnormal heart rhythm (or atrial fibrillation) are some of the factors that are often held responsible for this kind of clotting of blood inside the lungs. Know more on blood clot in lungs.

What Causes Blood Clots in the Legs?
Clotting of blood inside the veins of the legs is termed as deep vein thrombosis. Immobility of the legs for a prolonged period of time mostly gives rise to this kind of health condition. Surgery, hospitalization, the use of a cast or splint forces the legs to stay in an immobilized state for a long time. Long air travel or road travel can also minimize the mobility of the legs. As the blood get pulled towards the legs due to gravity, lack of movements tend to lead to formation of blood clots in the legs. Pregnancy, smoking, hereditary clotting disorders, etc. can give rise to deep vein thrombosis. Blockage in the femoral artery of the legs can also cause blood clots in the legs. If left untreated it can lead to serious infections like gangrene.

What Causes Blood Clots in Eyes?
Blood clots in the eye are mostly formed due to injury to the eyes. Other than that, vigorous rubbing of the eyes, excessive eye strain, coughing, sneezing, high blood pressure, etc. can also give rise to this condition. The clots of blood formed in the eyes can change position from time to time. If it exists for a long time, then it can lead to loss of vision. Smoking can thicken the minor clots and make them hard to dissolve. The eyes should be rested as much as possible when there are any blood clots in the eye. In newly formed clots, warm compression or application of rose water can be helpful. If it does not work, medical intervention should be sought.

What Causes Blood Clots During Menstruation?
Many women have multiple blood clots in the flow during menstruation and it is normal. These mainly occur on the heaviest days of bleeding. The natural mechanism of the body is to release anticoagulants to prevent the menstrual blood from clotting. However, when the period is heavy, the blood is expelled so rapidly that the anticoagulants are unable to work normally. This leads to formation of blood clots. Also go through menstruation blood clots for more information.

Blood Clots Treatment

The treatment for blood clots is based upon the location, size and overall health condition of the patient. If blood clot in the artery leads to heart attack or stroke, then it has to be treated aggressively. It involves administration of medicines directly to the clots to dissolve them fast. In serious cases, arterial clots are removed by the means of surgery. In case the clot is formed in the veins, particularly in the lower part of the body, then there are higher chances of pulmonary embolism. Hence, the size and location of the clot has to be monitored with the help of ultrasound examinations. Initially, blood thinners like heparin is injected into the fleshy tissue to reduce the clots. Then warfarin is prescribed which has to be taken orally. Sometimes, application of heat, pain killers, etc. are found to be helpful for the reduction of swelling of the affected area.

Hope you have got a clear idea about what causes blood clots and how it should be treated. Since the condition can give rise to life threatening conditions, prevention of blood clot formation is essential. It can be achieved by following a healthy diet, doing regular exercises, which include calf and leg exercises, and maintaining proper body weight.

Petechiae Causes

Petechiae: What Is It?

Petechiae (singular petechia) are the tiny, round blood spots which appear due to ruptured blood vessels, which leak blood under the surface of the skin. This condition is also known as 'bleeding into the skin'. The red spots may sometimes appear to be purplish black or brown in color due to the oxidation of blood. These so called skin rashes are flat and do not lose their color even when pressed. Petechiae can appear anywhere on the body and even inside the palate (or the upper part) of the mouth. On the visible areas of the skin, they may look quite unsightly. This condition is a common occurrence and is seen in individuals of all age groups. The petechiae or red blood spots may go away after sometime, but if there is a recurrence or they are taking a longer time to vanish, then it is advisable to consult a health care provider regarding this condition. Let us now discuss about the various petechiae causes as seen in individuals of either gender.

Causes of Petechiae

As I have mentioned earlier, one of the primary petechiae causes is trauma or an injury to the capillaries, which causes them to rupture and leak tiny amounts of blood under the skin's surface. They are similar in appearance to that of bruises, the only difference being their size. Some of the causes can be serious in nature and may require prompt medical intervention. Given below are some of the petechiae causes, which can be observed in children as well as adults.

    Petechiae causes in children may be due to an accidental fall while playing or if the child has suffered a bout of measles. In infants, bleeding in the skin can be caused due to vitamin deficiency, particularly of Vitamin K, or because of infantile scurvy.
    One of the main palatal petechiae causes can be because of dental conditions or trauma while eating candy or any other hard food.
    Aging can also be one of the factors for noticing petechiae. As the skin grows old, it becomes thin and tends to lose its elasticity, exposing the blood vessels. Even a minor blow can break the blood vessels, resulting in bleeding under the skin.
    Petechiae causes in adults can be due to the presence of viral infections like mononucleosis (also known as 'the kissing disease'), sepsis, which is an infection in the blood and also due to leukemia.
    Chemotherapy and radiation may also lead to the breakage of the blood capillaries. Overdose of medications like anticoagulants, steroids, etc., exhibit petechiae as one of the side effects.
    Some other petechiae causes may be health disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known as lupus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) etc.

Never ignore the sudden appearance of petechiae or blood spots on the skin, as they may be signs of some underlying health disorder. Consulting a medical practitioner, who may diagnose the exact reason for this blood disorder, as a precautionary measure is always better. Hope you found this overview on petechiae causes informative and useful. Wish you good health!

Blood Thinners Side Effects

There are quite a few possible blood thinners risks that do exist, however, this medication is strictly taken on a prescription basis, so it is given only after the doctor feels that the various blood thinners problems are far lesser than the indications and need for the medication. One of the main blood thinners side effects is bleeding. This may be in the form of mild but frequent nose bleeds or may be as severe as uncontrolled bleeding. As blood thinners essentially aid in increasing the plasma content of blood and so, decreasing its viscosity, the blood takes longer to clot. In fact, people that are on warfarin therapy may complain of bleeding gums when brushing, which may again be brought on due to the fact that the person develops a tendency to bleed easily. This medication can cause serious amount of bleeding in some cases. However, according to most blood thinners reviews, this risk exists only if the blood thinners dosage is not adjusted properly. This is the reason why there are certain foods to avoid while on Coumadin, a popular blood thinner. This is also the reason why it is said that ideally, a person should keep a tab on his vitamin K and warfarin levels. If you do see an unusual amount of bleeding or if you bruise too easily, then report to your doctor so that he can check if the dosage is proper.

There are a few more blood thinners side effects that may or may not be see in individuals on this therapy. For starters, a person may suffer from nausea and abdominal pain while on this medication. This is usually mild but if it is persistent or if it becomes very severe, you need to visit your doctor and ask for a replacement medication. Most of the other side effects are relatively rare. If the side effects are very severe, then the person is switched to either low aspirin dosage or maybe, if there is a significant improvement in the blood flow, then he can even be asked to shift to natural blood thinners like ginger, cinnamon and other herbs. Usually, the natural blood thinners side effects are negligible, which is why they are a far more healthy option, albeit which can only be used in cases where the blood clots is not too serious.

This was all about the various blood thinners side effects. In most cases, the side effects are mild. However, it is of utmost importance to manage the dosage, so that the side effects are not aggravated.

Blood Thinners Side Effects

There are quite a few possible blood thinners risks that do exist, however, this medication is strictly taken on a prescription basis, so it is given only after the doctor feels that the various blood thinners problems are far lesser than the indications and need for the medication. One of the main blood thinners side effects is bleeding. This may be in the form of mild but frequent nose bleeds or may be as severe as uncontrolled bleeding. As blood thinners essentially aid in increasing the plasma content of blood and so, decreasing its viscosity, the blood takes longer to clot. In fact, people that are on warfarin therapy may complain of bleeding gums when brushing, which may again be brought on due to the fact that the person develops a tendency to bleed easily. This medication can cause serious amount of bleeding in some cases. However, according to most blood thinners reviews, this risk exists only if the blood thinners dosage is not adjusted properly. This is the reason why there are certain foods to avoid while on Coumadin, a popular blood thinner. This is also the reason why it is said that ideally, a person should keep a tab on his vitamin K and warfarin levels. If you do see an unusual amount of bleeding or if you bruise too easily, then report to your doctor so that he can check if the dosage is proper.

There are a few more blood thinners side effects that may or may not be see in individuals on this therapy. For starters, a person may suffer from nausea and abdominal pain while on this medication. This is usually mild but if it is persistent or if it becomes very severe, you need to visit your doctor and ask for a replacement medication. Most of the other side effects are relatively rare. If the side effects are very severe, then the person is switched to either low aspirin dosage or maybe, if there is a significant improvement in the blood flow, then he can even be asked to shift to natural blood thinners like ginger, cinnamon and other herbs. Usually, the natural blood thinners side effects are negligible, which is why they are a far more healthy option, albeit which can only be used in cases where the blood clots is not too serious.

This was all about the various blood thinners side effects. In most cases, the side effects are mild. However, it is of utmost importance to manage the dosage, so that the side effects are not aggravated.

Blood Clots in Urine in Men

Blood clots in urine in men can make the urine appear pink or red in color and in some cases the urine will have a maroon hue. If you experience pain when you pass small blood clots in urine try to identify the regions causing the pain, as this will help the diagnosis and eventually the treatment plan. It is also important that you ensure that the redness of the urine is in fact blood. Certain foods like beet root and medication may cause the urine to turn red. If you have doubts it is advisable to undergo laboratory tests to confirm.

Most men who pass blood clots in urine will experience pain in the abdomen, in the lower back and groin. Some men may experience shooting pain in the penis when urinating and this may be the indication of the blood clots passing through the urethra. The blood clots could be of different shapes and could represent bleeding from the prostrate. Worm like clots if accompanied by pain are most likely originating from the ureters.

Causes of Blood Clots in Urine

Blood in urine is categorized in two parts, first is known as 'Hematuria' which represents blood in urine that can be spotted with a naked eye. The second is known as 'Microscopic Hematuria', in which blood can only be spotted with the help of a microscope. Causes of blood in urine can vary from minor inflammations to serious conditions like cancer.

One of the most common causes of blood clots in urine is urinary tract infection (UTI). However, women are more prone to UTI than men but the cause cannot be ruled out. Kidney stones can also cause blood clots in the urine in men. Some of the other causes are bladder or ureter stones which also lead to secretion of blood in the urine. Men suffering from prostrate enlargement may experience blood clots in the urine.

Injury to the urinary tract is also responsible for blood clots in the urine, especially in men. Cancers that affect regions like the urethra or the bladder are known to cause blood clots in the urine, along with kidney cancer. Diseases like 'Benign Familial Hematuria' and 'Sickle Cell Disease' are some of the risk factors that lead to blood clots.

The urethra in men carries urine and semen and sometimes a bloody ejaculation due to prostate problem can be mistaken for blood clot. Men using medication like blood thinners can also experience blood in urine. Hemophilia a genetic disorder which mostly affects males is also a cause of blood in urine.

Treatment for Blood Clots in Urine

In most cases blood in urine is seen due to an insignificant problem which goes away without any treatment. However, blood clots in the urine may be caused due to an underlying condition, hence it is advisable that you visit your physician for consultation. If the clots are due to a urinary tract infection, you will have to take antibiotics for 3-14 days. The duration of taking the antibiotics depends on which region of the urinary tract is infected.

The treatment plan for blood clots in urine depends on the underlying problems, so if you have kidney stones the doctor might advise you to drink plenty of fluids. Hydrating the body will help wash out the toxins and kidney stones giving you relief. In some instances a minor surgery will be required to remove the kidney stones. A physician may also prescribe analgesic medication if you have accompanying pain with your blood clots.

It is advisable to not try any home remedies if you experience blood clots in urine, visiting your physician is the prudent choice. The physician will conduct some diagnostic test before devising a treatment plan which in most cases constitutes of taking oral medication.

Blood Clots in Period

From the time a girl gets her first period, to many years after it, all questions and confusions about menstruation are not answered. This is mainly because of awkwardness and embarrassment. But these unanswered doubts leads to unnecessary tensions. One such question is about blood clots during period. Many women have to face the problem of blood clots in period, unlike many other problems faced during problems, this problem is not discussed. Due to this every girl feels that she is the only one who has blood clots in period and freaks out. However this is not true, there are many women who face the same problem, however not all of them pass blood clots which is why it is not discussed about. Clumps of uterus lining that are passed with blood are commonly known as blood clots. A woman's body releases anticoagulants to prevent clogging of menstrual blood, but if the period is heavy, anticoagulants do not get enough time to perform their function, which is why clots get formed. This was just one basic blood clot cause. The following are some other causes of blood clots in period.

Causes of Blood Clots in Period

    Enlarged Uterus: This cause of menstrual blood clots applies to new moms only. A woman's uterus expands itself to accommodate the growing fetus. After childbirth the uterus shrinks to its normal size, just as it had expanded. However sometimes it does not shrink, which is why blood pools inside and then passes when you have a period. Now there might be gap between the time it gets collected in the uterus to the time it is passed out, which is why blood clots form.
    Miscarriage: Miscarriage and blood clots are closely related. Past history of miscarriage can be a reason of blood clots during period. If one is passing blood clots and there is a possibility of pregnancy, one should immediately contact the gynecologist as there might a possibility of miscarriage. As stated earlier, blood clots in period after miscarriage are common, so one should consult a gynecologist during the next pregnancy.
    Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a medical condition which causes hormonal changes, which lead to menstrual blood clots. What happens in this condition is that a tissue, which is supposed to grow on the lining of the uterus, grows at some other place instead. If endometriosis is the cause of blood clots, one needs to take proper treatment from an experienced gynecologist.
    Leiomyomas: Leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroid are non-cancerous tumor that are formed in the womb. One of the symptom of leiomyomas can be blood clots. If the fibroid are small, there might be no symptoms at all.
    Blockage: If due to some reason the menstrual blood gets obstructed, one might notice blood clots in period. Menopause or benign polyps can be two reasons behind this. Benign polyps change the flow of blood during menstruation, which is why clots might form. And during menopause, the cervical canal might become smaller due to lowered estrogen levels which leads to menstruation blood clots.
    Medication: Certain medications like steroids or anti coagulants can also cause blood clots during menstruation. Oral contraceptive pills can also cause blood clots during period as they bring about a change in the normal hormonal balance of the body.

This was all about blood clots in period. As you must have observed, blood clots during periods most of the times is natural, so you do not need freak out. However if the clots are bigger than a quarter, it is better to see your gynecologist as only she will be able to detect underlying problem of the large blood clots in period, if any.

Blood Clots

If you get an injury it's due to blood clots that the injury gets healed. There are complex mechanisms which are carried out during the process of clotting which helps in repairing broken blood vessels. Before we go into the mechanism of blood clots, it's necessary to know what blood consists of. The main components of blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and blood plasma. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin which help in carrying oxygen to far off cells and removing carbon dioxide, white blood cells help in killing germs in the body, platelets help in clotting of the blood and blood plasma help in the proper functioning of the body.

Whenever there is an injury to the blood vessels, platelets come to the surface, which in turn release chemicals. These chemicals start the process of clotting and finally a mesh is formed which is the blood clot. When clots are formed during the normal repair process, it's considered fine, but if they are formed when there is no external injury, it may result in serious consequences. You may like to know more on what causes blood clots.

Causes of Blood Clotting

Blood Clot in Leg
Many a times blood clots have been found in legs and if they reach the lungs, it can be fatal. There are two main veins in the legs - deep veins and superficial veins. It's from the superficial veins that blood flows to the deep veins and they pass through perforator veins. Both the perforator and superficial veins consists of one-way valves and these valves are responsible for letting the blood flow in the direction of the heart. Blood clots in the deep veins are common and these clots are usually dissolved in the body. However, there are times in which they don't get dissolved and they travel to the heart and the lungs, potentially making it fatal. Blood in the legs should always keep flowing and if it stagnates, the potential for clots increases. Clots block blood circulation thereby causing pain, warmth and swelling.

Blood Clots During Period
Many a times, women find dark to bright red colored blood clots during periods. Usually they are shed during the days of heavy bleeding. Blood clots during menstruation usually are nothing to worry about as it is the body's way of releasing anticoagulants, so that the blood does not clot when released. However, if blood is released rapidly and if the anticoagulants don't get enough time to work, clots may be formed. If clotting is excessive, it's better to consult a health care provider immediately so that you can be sure it's normal and there is no underlying condition.

Blood Clots in Lungs
Blood clots usually don't form in the lungs, clots generally travel from another part of the body to the lung tissues. Clots normally form in one of the veins of the body and then break off. These broken off clots enter the circulatory system and gets lodged in the arteries of the lungs. If the blood clot in lungs enter the pulmonary artery, it can stop the blood supply which in turn would kill the lung tissues and may be fatal. Moreover, there may be blood clot in the brain thereby, leading to brain hemorrhage.

Blood Clots in Urine
If you find blood clots in urine it may mean some underlying medical condition. There may be several reasons, but usually if the urinary tract is infected or if a person suffers from kidney stone, the chances of clots in urine is high. Moreover, if there is any injury in the urinary tract or if the urethra is inflamed, clots may be found in urine.

Blood Clots During Pregnancy
There are reports that blood clots occur during pregnancy, especially in the legs. During the process of pregnancy there are several changes in the circulation of blood and this may result in blood clots. There is a slowdown of blood flow to the legs as the uterus exerts a lot of pressure on the blood vessels of the legs thereby increasing the chances of clots. This condition is usually not serious as clots dissolve in the blood, but if they reach the heart and lungs they may be life threatening.

Symptoms of Blood Clots

Usually the blood clot symptoms are felt in the arms and legs and they include pain, redness, warmth and swelling. Pain occurs as the affected area does not get adequate supply of blood. In case, there is a blood clot in the lungs, there would be shortness of breath and chest pain. In addition to that, if there is a clot in any other part of the body, that area may appear white, there may be a loss of sensation, feeling of weakness and in some extreme cases, it may lead to paralysis. If there are blood clots in legs symptoms, you should immediately get in touch with your doctor as it may be dangerous later on.

Even though blood clots can potentially be harmful, yet it has its advantages. Clots are mainly formed to prevent the loss of blood in case of an injury and that's perfectly normal. Clots can also be formed in the legs if you sit for long hours, especially, during traveling and this can harm you in the long run. So while traveling make sure that you don't sit for long hours at one place.

Blood Clot in the Heart

Clotting of blood is an important phenomenon that occurs in the body. Blood clots consist of blood cells and fibrin strands that form to stop the flow of blood after an injury. It is vital for healing wounds, but at times it can lead to complications if it prevents normal blood flow. There are two types of blood clots arterial and venous. If there is a blood clot in the artery it may prevent blood from flowing to other organs of the body causing damage. Arterial blood clots are mostly experienced by adults, however, children can also be affected by these clots. Blood clots can form in any part of the body however, you need to be careful if you have a blood clot in your heart. The heart is connected to 3 major coronary arteries that supply blood and oxygen and if a clot develops in one of them it can even lead to a heart attack.

Causes of a Blood Clot in the Heart

If the endothelium which is the inner wall of a blood vessel is damaged it can lead to the formation of blood clots. Conditions like pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis also make you susceptible to getting blood clots. Patients who have undergone surgery are also prone to develop blood clots and need to be careful.

Lifestyle habits like smoking and excessive alcohol use is also connected to the formation of blood clots. Conditions like obesity or just being overweight puts you at risk of developing clots that can lead to serious complications. Women who take contraceptive pills or who are inactive physically can also get blood clots.

Identifying the Symptoms

The symptoms of a blood clot vary according to the area in which they are formed. A blood clot will not only affect the area in which it forms but also affect distant organs. A blood clot in the heart may lead to shortness of breath and a feeling of discomfort. One of the prominent symptoms is chest pain due to the clot. If you are experiencing chest pain it is advisable that you consult your physician immediately.

Blood clots in the heart may also affect the supply of oxygen to the heart muscles, resulting in a heart attack. A blood clot in the heart will also cause low blood pressure and you may experience dizziness and sometimes people also faint. Coughing up blood is another visually disturbing symptom of a blood clot in the heart.

Blood Clot in Heart Treatment

Treatment for blood clot in the heart can vary from the use of oral medication to surgical removal of clots. Clots in the artery need to be taken seriously as they may be fatal if left untreated. Thrombolytic medication is one of the most commonly used treatment options for blood clots in the heart. It is administered intravenously under a doctor's supervision to dissolve the clots.

Anticoagulant medication which thins the blood is also one of the other preferred methods of treating blood clots in the heart. Antiplatelet agents like heparin is also administered intravenously to help blood clot patients. Surgical procedures like catheters are used to open the blocked areas and a stent is placed to keep it open.

There are ways in which you can avoid formation of blood clots and one of them is regular exercises which will help you maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol consumption will also help. Drinking plenty of water is also advisable if you want to avoid blood clots.