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Could you have a blood clot?

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Do you have a blood clot-300
Do you have a blood clot-300
Do you have a blood clot-300

Your blood has one of the most important and difficult jobs in your body. It flows continuously through your body and at the same time, it must avoid spilling and has to stop flowing when needed. Sometimes, blood clots form in your blood. Clotting can be healthy and normal, but it can also be dangerous if blood clots form when and where they aren’t needed.

What’s a blood clot?

A blood clot is a cluster of blood that has changed from liquid into a gel-like form. Sometimes clotting is an important process that can help prevent you from losing too much blood if you’ve cut or injured yourself. Other times, it can be dangerous. 

What causes it?

Blood clots happen during a process called clotting. It begins when flowing blood encounters certain substances in your skin or blood vessel walls. When the blood touches the substances, the skin or blood vessel wall break, causing blood to clot. Blood clots can also form when your blood doesn’t flow properly. This causes it to collect in clumps in your blood vessels or heart, forming clots. Waxy cholesterol plaques that form in your arteries can also cause clotting. They contain the same substances that can cause clotting when they touch blood. If the plaque breaks open, then the clotting process will begin. 

What harm can it do?

Sometimes when clots form in your veins, they may not be able to dissolve. This can be very dangerous and life-threating. If clots don’t move around, they are generally not harmful. But if they move around in your veins to your heart or lungs, it can get stuck and prevent blood flow. You are then at risk for heart-related problems like a stroke or heart attack.

Different blood clots and their symptoms include:

  • In the leg or arm: This is the most common place for clots to form. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, tenderness, red discolouration and a warm sensation.
  •  In the heart: Blood clots in the heart cause a heart attack. This can bring on pain or a heavy feeling on your chest. You may also feel lightheaded and have shortness of breath.
  •  In the abdomen: Abdominal pain, swelling and food poisoning may be symptoms of a clot in your abdomen.
  •  In the brain: A blood clot in your brain is known as a stroke.Symptoms include a sudden, severe headache and difficulty speaking or seeing. 
  • In your lungs: Symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.

Lower your risk for blood clots

  • Lose weight if you’re overweight.
  • Stay active and exercise at least three to four times a week.
  • Avoid sitting for long periods. For example, if you sit at a desk all day at work, take a walk during your lunch break to keep your blood flowing.
  • Point and flex your toes while sitting for long stretches to help your blood circulate.
  • Drink lots of water and wear loose clothing when you travel.

Treatment

Blood clots are usually treated with medication, called blood thinners. Blood thinner medication may be injected under your skin. Your doctor can show you how to give yourself injections or a loved one can help you do it. Oral blood thinner medication is also available. Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe either or both the oral and injection blood thinners. You can also use compression stockings to help prevent blood clots.

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