Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a rare health condition that occurs when one or more of the arteries inside your lung no longer have a clear passage way. Your lung arteries usually end up blocked as a result of a blood clot that travels from one body part to your lungs. Usually the blood clot is first noticed in the legs. Also, pulmonary embolism is a condition that anyone could be a victim of regardless of your health status.
Pulmonary embolism is not always caused by a blood clot though, and there are different types of blood clots as well. Later in the article we will mention a few possible causes of pulmonary embolism other than blood clots. You should also know that solitary pulmonary embolism also exists, even though it is less common. This is basically the same condition but it is a result of a single blood clot. Most commonly when someone is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism they will have multiple blood clots.
There are a few different reasons why blood clots and pulmonary embolism can be a serious health risk. The main factor to look at would be that they are blocking your lung’s arteries so your lung is no longer able to do it’s job effectively. Your lungs are responsible for pumping oxygen and if they become blocked then it could lead to major health concerns.
Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
The symptoms that are noticeable for people with pulmonary embolism can vary by person but generally there are a few more common symptoms that are noticed in almost all cases of the condition. These symptoms would include chest pain, strong coughing that could result in some blood spitting up, and a shortness of breath for no explainable reason.
There are other signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary embolism as well but they are not as common as the ones just listed. It is also important to note that this is a very serious condition and can be fatal in some situations. Without seeking treatment immediately it is possible that pulmonary embolism could put your life at risk.
Here are some other possible symptoms associated with pulmonary embolism:
- the affected area in your leg gets swollen up
- very strong chest pains, while already mentioned, it is important to know that once the blood clot travels to the lungs it may feel similar to a heart attack
- lower pulse
- heartbeats extremely fast
- skin starts to turn a shade of blue, especially in the affected area
- feeling lightheaded, faint, or feeling ill
- some people also experience cold chills and/or hot flashes during pulmonary embolism but it may not be extremely common
- overall you will likely feel exhausted, want to get a lot of rest, lack energy, and will probably be in bed most of the time
These are all helpful signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism and if you notice them then you should get your condition diagnosed and treated immediately. The main determining factor is obviously if you have a blood clot, so the symptoms associated with a blood clot would be common with the symptoms for pulmonary embolism as well. You should visit a doctor immediately if you notice any of these serious symptoms and suspect you might have a blood clot or pulmonary embolism.
Usually pulmonary embolism is a result of a blood clot that originates in your legs, deep in your veins. This particular condition is often referred to as deep vein thrombosis. There are still other possible reasons for the arteries in your lungs getting blocked. Two possible examples of this would be pulmonary embolism being caused as a result of a tumor or it could also be caused by air bubbles.
Treating Pulmonary Embolism
The most important thing to remember is that you have to seek treatment as soon as possible for the best possible results. If you ignore the condition then it could become life threatening so to avoid the worst get it treated immediately. You should also attempt to go to lengths to do whatever you can to minimize the chance of getting a blood clot in your leg. Read up on more information regarding this subject, and visit your doctor immediately if you need to get treated for it.
Comments are closed
Related Information
