signs of pulmonary embolism

signs of pulmonary embolism 


 Pulmonary embolism Symptoms, signs


Pulmonary embolism Symptoms, signs ...

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
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A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. The clot is usually formed in smaller vessels in the leg, pelvis, arms, or heart, but occasionally the clot may be large.
When a clot forms in the veins of the legs or arms, it is known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Pulmonary embolism occurs when part or all of the DVT is detached and travels through the blood in the veins and lodges in the lungs.
The clot travels through the vessels of the continuous lung to reach the smaller vessels until it tilts in a container that is too small to allow it to continue further. The clot blocks all or some of the blood flow to that section of the lung. These blockages resulting in areas in the lung were disruption of blood flow without allowing carbon dioxide waste to be delivered to the air sacs for removal (ventilation).
In the same way, since the blood is blocked to certain portions of the lungs, oxygen can not be extracted from these same air sacs (perfusion). The process of matching the ventilation of the lungs with the flow of blood through the lungs is interrupted, resulting in ventilation-perfusion inequalities. In other words, the areas in the lung are ventilated (take air), but they do not receive blood from exchanging carbon dioxide waste product with oxygen.
If the pulmonary embolism is large, it can be capable of a great mismatch, the patient can not get enough oxygen to the blood and can become acutely short of breath. In some cases, the clots are so large that blood flow is blocked from the right side of the heart entering the lungs. This can result in instant death.
In other patients, the mismatch is not as profound, but it still causes symptoms, especially when the oxygen demand increases (for example, during exercise).
Pulmonary infarction (death of lung tissue due to arterial obstruction) is unusual due to collateral circulation.
Causes pulmonary embolism
Several risk factors can make a person more likely to develop a blood clot that can eventually break loose and travel to the lungs. The Virchow triad explains the reasons why clots form. This triad includes 1) immobilization (which reduces the flow), 2) the damaged vessel wall (which forms a location clot to begin with, and 3) the hypercoagulable state (which makes it easier for the blood to clot.



Immobilization: A stroke. broken bone. or spinal cord injury can result in confinement in the bed so that clot formation can occur in either the arms or legs.
Travel: Prolonged trip contact, such as sitting on an airplane or a long car trip, allows blood to sit on the legs and increases the risk of clot formation.
recent surgery (includes hypercoagulability syndrome due to surgical damage and the body trying to repair itself.It is also often associated with immobility and sometimes vessel damage depending on the surgery)
Trauma or injury (especially in the legs)
Obesity
Heart disease (like an irregular heartbeat)
Burns
history of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism
Conditions that increase blood clotting

How to live with pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is usually treated in a hospital. After leaving the hospital, you may have to take medication at home for 6 months or more. It is important:

Take all prescribed medications, and do blood tests as recommended by your doctor.
Talk to your doctor before taking anticoagulant medications with any other medication, including over-the-counter products. Aspirin over-the-counter, for example, can thin the blood. Taking two medications that thin the blood can increase your risk of bleeding.
Ask your doctor about your diet. Foods that contain vitamin K can affect the way warfarin (Coumadin) works. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and some oils, such as canola and soybean oils. The best thing is to eat a well balanced and healthy diet.
Ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe to drink if you are taking the medicine.
The medications used to treat PD can dilute the blood too much. This can cause bleeding in the digestive system or the brain. If youOnce you have had PE (with or without deep vein thrombosis (DVT)), you are also at higher risk of having the condition again. During treatment and afterwards, continue taking measures to prevent DVT.

Check your legs for signs or symptoms of DVT, such as swollen areas, pain or tenderness, increased temperature in inflamed or painful areas, or red or patches on the skin.

If you think you have deep vein thrombosis or have PE symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung and Blood. How to live with pulmonary embolism.

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