About Pulmonary Embolism :-
This is a obstruction in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. In most of the cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that go through to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or, rarely, from veins in other parts of your body (deep vein thrombosis).
Because the clots obstruct blood flow to the lungs, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. Although prompt treatment greatly decrease the risk of death. Taking measures to cure blood clots in your legs will help you to protect against pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary Embolism Signs & Symptoms :-
Pulmonary embolism symptoms can differ greatly, depending on how much of your lung is included, the size of the clots, and if you have any lung or heart disease.
Common signs and symptoms involve:
• Shortness of breath
In this symptom commonly seem to be suddenly and always gets worse with exertion.
• Chest pain
In this you may feel like you are having a heart attack. The pain is frequently sharp and is felt when you breathe in deeply, frequently it stop you from being able to take a deep breath. It can also be felt when you cough, stool ot bend.
• Cough
The cough may generate bloody or blood-streaked sputum.
Other signs and symptoms that can take place with pulmonary embolism involve:
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat,
• Light headedness or dizziness,
• Excessive sweating,
• Fever,
• Leg pain or swelling, or both, commonly in the calf caused by a deep vein thrombosis,
• Clammy or discolored skin (cyanosis),
Pulmonary Embolism Causes :-
Pulmonary embolism take place when a clump of materia, most common a blood clot, gets wedged into an artery in your lungs. These blood clots most usually come through the deep veins of your legs, a situation known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
In many of the cases, many clots are involved in pulmonary embolism. The portions of lung distributed by each blocked artery are robbed of blood and may die. This is known as pulmonary infarction. This makes it more hard for your lungs to give oxygen to the rest of your body.
Sometime, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, like as:
• Fat from the marrow of a long bone which is broken
• Part of a tumor,
• Air bubbles.
Pulmonary Embolism Complications :-
Pulmonary embolism can be a life-threatening. About one-third of people with undiagnosed and are untreated pulmonary embolism do not survive. When the condition is diagnosed and treated properly, But, that number drops dramatically.
Pulmonary embolism can also give rise to pulmonary hypertension, a situation in which the blood pressure in your lungs and in the right side of the heart is more high. When you have blockage in the arteries which is inside your lungs, your heart must work harder to push blood from those vessels, which grow blood pressure and, In the end, it weakens your heart.
In very few of the cases, small emboli take place frequently and grow over time, which rrsult in chronic pulmonary hypertension. It is also known as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary Embolism Prevention :-
Preventing clots in the deep veins in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) will help you to cure pulmonary embolism. For this reason, most hospitals are offensive about taking measures to cure blood clots, including :
• Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
These medications are frequently given to people at risk of clots before and after an operation is done as well as to people who is admitted to the hospital with medical conditions. They are like heart attack, stroke or complications of cancer.
• Compression stockings
Compression stockings firmly squeeze your legs, and help your veins and leg muscles to move blood more accurately. They provide a safe, simple and inexpensive way to keep your blood from stagnating during and after the general surgery.
• Leg elevation
Elevating your legs when it is possible and during the night also it can be very effective. Increase the bottom of your bed 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) with blocks or books.
• Physical activity
If you move as soon as possible after your surgery. The it can help you to prevent pulmonary embolism and hasten recovery overall. This is one of the important reasons your nurse may push you to get up, even on your day of surgery, and walk if you have pain also at the site of your surgical incision.
• Pneumatic compression
This treatment uses thigh-high or calf-high cuffs that immediately inflate with air and deflate every few minutes to massage and squeeze the veins in your legs and improve the blood flow.
Prevention while traveling :
The risk of blood clots developing while traveling is low, but grow as long-haul travel increases. If you have risk factors for blood clots and you are worried about travel, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor might you tips to following which will help to prevent blood clots during travel, such as:
• Drink plenty of fluids
Water is the best liquid to cure dehydration, which can contribute to the development of blood clots. Stay away from alcohol, which contributes to fluid loss.
• Take a break from sitting
Keep moving around the airplane cabin every after one hour. If you are driving, then stop every so frequently and walk around the car for a few times. Do a few deep knee bends.
• Fidget in your seat
Bend your ankles every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Wear support stockings
Your doctor can suggest these to help promote circulation and fluid movement in your legs. Compression stockings are available in a range of stylish colors and textures. There are even devices, it is called stocking butlers, which is used to help you put on the stockings.