Blood clots: symptoms and natural treatment

Blood clots prevent too much blood from being lost after an injury, prevent germs from entering the wound, and allow the wound to heal. However, sometimes blood clots form in the bloodstream when no external injury has occurred. Clots in the bloodstream can lead to dangerous complications such as pulmonary embolism, coronary heart disease, or stroke. It is possible for a blood clot (or thrombus) to form on the wall of a blood vessel or in the heart when blood, platelets, proteins, and cells are held together. However, a blood clot that stops blood flow is a serious health problem that must be treated immediately. Fortunately, blood clots are among the preventable blood conditions. In fact, you can reduce your chances of developing a blood clot by simply making lifestyle changes. If you already have a blood clot, there are things you can do to limit the amount of time you are on blood thinners and other conventional treatments.

What is a blood clot?

A blood clot prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Normally, when you get injured, your blood vessels become narrower. Narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the injured tissue and limit blood loss. Then, platelets and plasma proteins bind to the damaged area of the blood vessel. These are collected to reduce bleeding. The group is strengthened by 13 substances in the blood and tissue. These substances are clotting factors or coagulation factors. Normally, your body will naturally dissolve the blood clot when the injury heals. Sometimes clots form on the inside of blood vessels when there is no external injury or they do not dissolve naturally. If blood flows too slowly and begins to clump, a large number of platelets can clump together, stick to each other, and form a blood clot. When blood clots form inside your veins for no good reason and do not dissolve naturally, they may require medical attention and may even cause complications.

Common symptoms of a blood clot

The symptoms of a blood clot vary depending on where the clot is located. People experience the following symptoms if a blood clot has developed in these specific places:
Heart — heaviness or pain in the chest, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, and discomfort in other parts of the upper body
Brain — weakness of the face, arms, or legs, vision problems, difficulty speaking, sudden and severe headache, and dizziness
Lungs —sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, fever, sweating, and coughing up blood
Arm or leg — sudden or gradual pain, swelling, tenderness, and warmth
Abdomen — intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea

Here are some other general symptoms that you may have a blood clot in your body:

1. Unexplained cough and shortness of breath
   A clot in the lungs slows the flow of oxygen, which speeds up the heartbeat. A rapid rhythm accompanied by shortness of breath is usually a warning sign that signals a pulmonary embolism.
2. Mood swings
   Symptoms such as irritability, confusion, hallucinations, or seizures can alert us to the imminent danger of arterial thrombosis in the brain. This happens when a blood clot interferes with the regular flow of oxygen and glucose in the bloodstream. As a result, the brain cannot work as it should.
3. Weariness
   When the body has a blood clot, it activates its defenses, which can sometimes lead to fatigue or exhaustion. It is often difficult to diagnose the symptoms of fatigue, which is why it is very important to be alert to other possible symptoms. In many cases, you will experience fatigue for no apparent reason. It can happen even after a full night’s rest.
4. Swollen limbs
   This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis. It interferes with blood flow in the circulatory system, which prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs in the body. You should be very careful if your limb suddenly swells, especially if it is also painful. Do not confuse this with swelling caused by fluid retention.
5. Pain in the arm or leg
   This is a localized and sharp pain. It often occurs when walking or bending limbs. Numbness may also be present with pain.
6. Bulging veins
   Protruding veins do not cause complications or major problems. However, when a blood clot puts pressure on blood vessels, it leads to internal rupture, redness, or bruising. Sometimes varicose veins can occur as a result of venous thrombosis in the legs.
7. Red lines on the skin
   Rayas rojas en la piel When you feel red lines along the veins, you should check for other changes in your skin. You should also pay attention to mood swings to rule out the possibility of arterial thrombosis. These red lines will make your limbs warm to the touch.
8. Fever
   When you have a blood clot and it is released into the bloodstream, it can cause a fever. Fever often comes with sweating, tremors, migraines, dehydration, physical weakness, and poor appetite.

Types of blood clots

Blood clots may form in your veins or arteries. Both are vessels that help transport blood throughout the body, but they function differently. Veins are vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood from the body’s organs back to the heart. When an abnormal blood clot forms in a vein, it can restrict blood flow back to the heart, causing pain and swelling as blood collects behind the clot.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a large or deep vein in the body. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. However, they can also appear in other parts of the body, such as the arms or pelvis. When a blood clot in a deep vein detaches and travels through the bloodstream, the loose clot is called an embolus. An embolus can travel through the heart to an artery in the lungs where it gets stuck and blocks blood flow. This is an extremely dangerous condition called pulmonary embolism. Typical signs of pulmonary embolism include sudden difficulty breathing, coughing, coughing up blood, and chest pain.

The clotting that occurs in the arteries is different than when it occurs in the veins. Arteries are muscular vessels that carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Arterial clotting is usually associated with hardening of the arteries, which is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque narrows the inside of a vessel. Plaque consists of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin, blood clotting materials. When the passage in the artery begins to narrow, the strong arterial muscles continue to force blood through the opening with great pressure. This can cause plaque to crack.

The molecules released at rupture can cause the body to react by forming an unnecessary clot in the artery. At this point, your tissues and organs are no longer getting enough blood or may not be getting blood at all. Because this type of blood clot usually develops in the coronary arteries or inside the heart, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. In fact, atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. In Western societies, it is the root cause of about 50 percent of all deaths.

Risk factors for venous blood clots

Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs if blood flow is restricted and slowed down. This can happen when you are immobile for a long time, such as after surgery, during a long trip on a plane or car, or if you have to stay in bed for long periods of time.
Venous (in-vein) blood clots are more likely to develop in veins that have been damaged by certain surgeries or trauma. Some other factors that increase the risk of developing venous blood clots include a family history of blood clots, age (over 60 years), obesity, pregnancy, smoking, and oral contraceptives. Some medications or diseases, such as cancer or genetic clotting disorders, can also increase the risk of blood clots.

Oral contraceptives with estrogen and progestogen are associated with an increase in venous blood clots, heart attack and stroke. These oral contraceptives affect blood clotting by increasing fibrinogen in the plasma, which helps in the formation of blood clots. Research also shows that cancer is one of the most important acquired risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This may be due to the tumor, the patient’s body, or the therapies the patient is receiving. VTE is actually the second leading cause of death in hospitalized cancer patients, after infections.

Arterial blood clots

Causes and risk factors for arterial clots include obesity, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Lifestyle changes and dietary modifications can help eliminate these risks. According to research published in Blood Transfusion, people with metabolic syndrome have at least three of the following health problems: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, decreased HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. There is growing evidence that there is an association between arterial blood clots (atherothrombosis) and these metabolic syndrome factors. In addition, meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials found that there are three health changes that can help reduce changes in the development of arterial disease. These include reducing blood pressure and cholesterol and quitting smoking.

Research shows that there is a dramatic increase in the risk of arterial and venous blood clots with age. This can be due to damage to the walls of blood vessels, reduced regular exercise, increased immobility and increased systemic activation of blood clotting. People with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of blood clots in the heart. Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that involves two chambers of the heart that beat very quickly and irregularly. This means don’t let the blood flow through the heart so quickly and steadily.

7 natural remedies for blood clots

Certain foods and common supplements can act as natural blood thinners. The following are the most common ones that healthy adults can use to prevent blood clots.

1) TURMERIC is a spice used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties. Its main active ingredient is curcumin, which is also used in high doses to treat cancer, arthritis, and multiple inflammatory conditions. The dosage depends on the tolerance and purpose of using this spice.

2) GINGER: It has long been known as an anti-inflammatory spice that can prevent blood clots. This herb is also used to relieve nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women, and to reduce pain in arthritis.

3) CAYENNE PEPPER: it is rich in natural salicylates (such as aspirin and white willow, from which aspirin is obtained). These peppers can also act as powerful blood thinners. The only downside to eating these peppers is that they can potentially irritate the stomach lining. Some sensitive individuals have heartburn, so there are restrictions on the amounts used. Cayenne is also available in capsules and is used therapeutically to lower blood pressure, increase circulation and reduce pain almost everywhere.

4) VITAMIN E: it is known to reduce blood clotting and is contraindicated for those taking blood thinners. The usual effective dose for most adults is between 400 and 800 IU per day. Be sure to get a mixed tocopherol vitamin E complex containing alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols and tocotrienols. Using only d-alpha tocopherols won’t give you all the benefits of vitamin E. Good sources of vitamin E in foods include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, avocados, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, kiwis, tomatoes, wheat germ oil, and whole grains.

5) GARLIC: Garlic oil in particular has strong blood-thinning effects. It’s also a natural antibiotic, lowers blood pressure, and can help lower high cholesterol levels. Its antithrombotic effect reduces the formation of blood clots. Avoid using it before surgery or if you are taking blood thinners. Studies show that raw garlic reverses plaque buildup and prevents new plaque from forming in the arteries.

6) CINNAMON: it is a powerful blood thinner. It contains coumarin (from which Warfarin, the most commonly used blood thinner, is obtained). When using other blood-thinning drugs, it is recommended to use cinnamon only in small quantities to prevent excessive bleeding. Cinnamon also has a blood sugar-lowering effect, so diabetics should be careful with its use to avoid low blood sugar reactions.

7) GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT: it is mainly known for its memory-enhancing effects. As one of my sons once pointed out, “Without ginkgo, there is no thought.” Ginkgo is also used by many for low energy and blood clotting disorders. It works by dissolving fibrin, a protein that makes the blood sticky and slows circulation. Ginkgo is strong enough to dissolve existing blood clots, but its best role is prevention. It is rich in antioxidants and prevents damage to blood vessels, which helps prevent high blood pressure. By the way, you can determine if the fibrin in your blood is excessive with a microscopic test of living cells. If it is in large quantities, it will be seen on the film of blood, as well as the stickiness of the blood. Routine blood tests can show you the amount of fibrin in your blood compared to the normal range. This blood test is called a fibrinogen test and can be done by anyone if they are concerned about the risk of blood clots.

Lifestyle changes

1. Change your diet

As you remember, metabolic syndrome is associated with the development of blood clots. It is extremely important to change your diet to maintain a healthy weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce overall inflammation. Be sure to focus on healing foods, which include dark leafy vegetables, colorful vegetables (such as yellow squash, red bell pepper, and purple eggplant), fruits, legumes, whole grains (such as oatmeal and brown rice), and omega-3 foods (like wild-caught salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, and grass-fed beef). These foods will help keep your circulatory system active, improve your heart health, and help you lose weight.

You also need to avoid foods that harm your body. These foods include artificial sweeteners, diet sodas, trans fats (such as baked goods), refined carbohydrates, and sugar. You should also limit your alcohol consumption. Men should not drink more than two alcohol-containing beverages per day, and women should not drink more than one alcohol-containing beverage per day.

2. Stay active

To avoid blood clots, it is important to stay active. Make sure you stay active by exercising regularly and avoiding periods of prolonged inactivity or immobilization. How much should you exercise? Try at least 30 minutes of daily exercise (or 60 to 90 minutes if it’s low-intensity). You can also try shorter but more intense workouts, such as burst training or HIIT training.

3. Consider switching medications

Some medications can increase the risk of blood clots. These medications include hormone replacement medications (commonly used by menopausal or postmenopausal women), birth control pills, blood pressure control medications, and cancer medications. Be sure to check with your doctor regularly to see if your medications may be reduced or if they are contributing to health problems. It may also be helpful to research natural remedies for health problems that you are currently treating with medication.

4. Quit smoking

Studies show that smoking cigarettes or using electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products increases the risk of developing blood clots. The risk increases even more when combined with other risk factors such as being overweight. (17) If you still smoke, quit as soon as you can. Some ways to quit include: joining a support group, hypnosis or meditation aimed at overcoming addiction, or talking to your doctor about other effective ways to quit.

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