Embolism Definition
An embolism is a blockage in the flow of blood vessels, characterized by the presence of air bubbles or blood clots.
The blockage that occurs can limit or even stop blood flow. This is what makes it a dangerous condition because it can trigger death.
This condition causes different symptoms in sufferers. Symptoms will occur according to the type and location of the blood vessel blockage experienced.
Typically, this condition can affect several vital organ functions, such as the brain, heart, and lungs.
Embolism that occurs in the brain can cause stroke sufferers. Meanwhile, embolism that triggers blockage in the lung area causes pulmonary embolism.
In addition to functional disorders, embolisms that occur over a long period of time can cause permanent damage to the organ.
Symptoms of Embolism
Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the blockage.
For example, an embolism that occurs in the brain can cause a stroke with the following symptoms:
- Weakness on one side of the body.
- The face becomes more droopy.
- Numbness on one side of the body.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Difficulty communicating with others.
Immediately have a check-up and visit the nearest hospital, when relatives or family experience symptoms related to brain embolism or stroke.
In addition, this condition can also occur in the lungs or known as pulmonary embolism. There are several symptoms that will occur in people with pulmonary embolism, such as:
- Breath becomes shorter suddenly.
- A very sharp pain in the neck, chest, jaw, and arms.
- Cough without phlegm.
- The skin becomes pale and bluish.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Excessive sweating.
- Dizzy.
- Noisy breathing (wheezing).
Do not ignore health complaints related to pulmonary embolism. Because there are several Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism that Require Medical Treatment.
Immediately visit the nearest hospital to get proper treatment and care.
Causes of Embolism
The following are things that cause someone to suffer from this condition:
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Fat
Fractures or cracks in long bones, such as the femur, can cause the fat in the bones to be released into the bloodstream.
Fat particles can also appear after a person experiences severe burns or complications from bone surgery.
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Blood clotting
Blood has natural clotting properties to prevent bleeding when an open wound occurs.
However, some health problems, such as obesity, cancer, heart problems, and pregnancy can cause blood clots to form even though there is no open wound.
These blood clots can travel through the bloodstream and cause blockages in certain areas.
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Cholesterol
In people with severe atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries caused by cholesterol buildup), small pieces of cholesterol can sometimes break off from the side of a blood vessel, causing an embolism.
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Air
An air embolism or gas embolism occurs when one or more air bubbles enter a vein or artery, blocking it. This is a potentially serious condition.
When air bubbles enter a vein, it has the medical name of venous air embolism. Meanwhile, when air bubbles enter an artery, the condition is called arterial air embolism.
These air bubbles can travel to the brain, heart, or lungs, and can cause a heart attack, stroke, or respiratory failure.
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Amniotic fluid
Embolism caused by amniotic fluid is common in pregnant women, although this condition is very rare.
Usually, this condition is caused by the entry of amniotic fluid into the mother’s bloodstream during labor. This then causes the mother to have difficulty breathing and a decrease in blood pressure.
Embolism Risk Factors
Here are some things that can increase the risk of embolism:
- Is pregnant.
- Experiencing obesity or being overweight.
- Smoke.
- Suffering from heart disease.
- Aged over 60 years.
- Not moving for a long period of time.
- Lack of physical activity or exercise.
- Have a history of surgery or fractures.
- Having a history of high blood sugar, cancer, and stroke.
Diagnosis of Embolism
To diagnose an embolism, your doctor will usually do a physical exam to check for signs of an embolism. Your doctor may look at something on your skin or see it in the way you breathe.
In addition, diagnosis of embolism can also be done with several tests, such as:
- Blood test. This is the most common test done to determine whether or not there is an embolism in a person’s body. It is done by measuring the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
- Echocardiogram (ECG) . A test performed to determine whether a patient’s heart rhythm is normal or not.
- Chest X-ray , ventilation-perfusion(V/Q)scan,CT scanorpulmonaryangiography
- Doppler USG. A test performed to detect embolism or blockage in the heart and blood vessels. This test will show the direction and speed of blood moving through the arteries and veins.
Embolism Treatment
The treatment carried out will depend greatly on the cause of the blockage, the size of the blockage that appears, and the location of the blockage.
The following are some embolism treatment methods that are usually carried out by doctors:
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Use of drugs
Embolism can be treated with medication. Some of the medications that doctors give to embolism sufferers are:
- Medication to prevent blood clots.
- Medicines to remove blood clots.
- Medicine to dissolve blood clots.
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Use of IVC Filter
Vena Cava Filters (IVC Filters) can be done to treat pulmonary embolism. This method is recommended especially if someone has blood clots and can no longer take blood thinners.
This filter is permanent or cannot be removed. Usually, the doctor will place the IVC filter in the neck or groin, with surgery or an incision.
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Angioplasty
It is a medical procedure performed to widen blocked blood vessels.
This method is done by using a balloon-like catheter bubble inside the blood vessel. Then, a tube called a stent will be placed inside the blood vessel to keep it open.
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Embolectomy
Embolectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed by removing emboli that are blocking blood vessels.
Next, the doctor will install a catheter balloon to widen the narrowed blood vessels, so that blood flow can return to normal.
Embolism Prevention
This condition can be prevented by doing several things, such as:
- Eat healthy foods. It is best to avoid eating foods high in fat. Instead, try eating foods that contain fiber, and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Limit salt intake. Prevent embolism by limiting your daily salt intake. Consume no more than 6 grams or one teaspoon of salt per day.
- Control your weight. Obesity is one of the triggers for embolism. It is better to control your weight with a healthy and proper diet.
- Exercise. By exercising regularly you can keep your body healthy. In fact, you also lose and control your weight to prevent this condition.
- Quit smoking. If you have a habit of smoking, you should stop this habit. Not only does it trigger embolism, smoking can trigger cancer and lung disorders.
Embolism Complications
If not treated properly, embolism can trigger various complications, such as:
- Heart attack.
- Hypoxia.
- Disorders of body organ function.
- Infection.
- Stroke.
- Sudden death.
Of course, this is one of the health issues that you need to be aware of. Because, the effects are not kidding, even life-threatening.
Well, to be more vigilant, you also need to know about various other embolic diseases.
