Hilary Clinton is suffering from a blood clot in her head; this may be as a result of a concussion she received weeks ago from passing out due to a stomach virus. A blood clot is usually acquired from being bedridden for a period of time and not so much from the concussion. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together and is more often discovered either from routine checkups, MRIs, or some symptoms.
How does this affect the average American? The average American really has nothing to worry about unless the individual suffers a traumatic incident or is bedridden for a length of time and oftentimes an individual may develop a blood clot after a surgery. Alot of Americans suffers from DVT, deep vein thrombosis. DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts of the body. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. www.nih.gov If a blood clot travels, it may find its way to the lungs or the heart, it is; therefore, imperative to know the signs and get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible as traveling blood clots can be fatal. Some of the signs to look for are:
“Venous clots do not allow blood to return to the heart and symptoms occur because of this damming effect. Most often occurring in the legs or the arms, symptoms include: swelling, warmth, redness, and pain.
Arterial clots do not allow blood get to the affected area. Body tissue that is deprived of blood and oxygen begins to die and becomes ischemic (isch=to restrain + emia = blood): Pain is the initial symptom of the ischemia, or oxygen deprivation due to loss of blood supply. Other symptoms depend upon the location of the clot, and often the effect will be a loss of function. Heart attack and stroke are self-explanatory. In an arm or leg, in addition to pain, the limb may appear white, and weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis may occur. If the blood supply is lost to an area of the bowel, in addition to intense pain, there may be bloody diarrhea.” www.medicinenet.com
Though blood clots happen, the average person has nothing to worry. If you or your loved one is involved in an accident or some other trauma, or suspect DVT, be sure the visit your physician or emergency department as soon as possible.
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