Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a pulmonary embolism?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes pulmonary embolism?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for pulmonary embolism?
- 1. Medical conditions and treatments
- 2. Being silent for a long time
- 3. Other risk factors
- Medicines & Medicines
- What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
- What are my treatment options for pulmonary embolism?
- 1. Medicines
- 2. Other operations and procedures
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat pulmonary embolism?
Definition
What is a pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage that occurs in one of the pulmonary arteries. In many cases, this condition is caused by a blood clot flowing to the lungs from the legs, or less frequently from other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis).
A clot blocks blood flow to the lungs, so this condition can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Taking measures to prevent blood clots in your legs will help protect you from pulmonary embolism.
How common is this condition?
In many cases, pulmonary embolism is a condition commonly experienced by the elderly, especially over 70 years of age and who are obese. Even so, this condition can also strike a young age because of hereditary thrombotic.
This condition can be considered dangerous because it can cause death. According to data from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, the number of people with pulmonary embolism in the US reaches 200,000 people each year, and nearly a third of them end up dying.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
The most typical signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism are:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the chest, this condition can last from minutes to hours
- Bleeding cough
- Fast heart rate
Other symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or headache
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Sweating
- The sound when you breathe
- Sweaty hands
- Bluish skin
There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening emergency condition. Seek medical help immediately if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, cough with bloody phlegm, or any of the signs and symptoms listed above. Everyone's body reacts differently. So, the symptoms you experience with other people are not necessarily the same. Make sure you always discuss it with your doctor.
Cause
What causes pulmonary embolism?
In many cases, pulmonary embolism occurs when blood clots in the arteries of your lungs. This blood clot most often originates in the veins of the inner leg, which is known as deep vein thrombosis. Sometimes, blockages in the blood vessels can also be caused by substances other than blood clots, such as:
- Fat from a broken bone
- Air bubble
- Part of tumor cells
- Collagen or other tissues
Risk factors
What increases my risk for pulmonary embolism?
Although everyone can experience this condition, there are several factors that make you more at risk. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, here are the risk factors for pulmonary embolism:
1. Medical conditions and treatments
Medical conditions or treatments that can make you more prone to pulmonary embolism include:
- History of heart disease, such as heart failure, stroke, cancer, or severe infections.
- Have cancer, especially the brain, ovaries, pancreas, intestines, stomach, lungs, and kidneys, can increase the risk of blood clots.
- Never had surgery is one of the main causes of blood clots.
- Some blood disorders can make blood clots easier to form.
- Experience symptoms of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) also increases the risk of developing pulmonary embolism.
2. Being silent for a long time
Sitting still for long periods of time can obstruct the flow of blood in the lower part of the body. This causes blood to collect around the ankles and cause swelling to varicose veins, which in turn lead to blood clots.
When the blood settles and eventually clots, these clots can break free and flow back to the heart, then into the pulmonary vessels. This condition can occur after you sit quietly and watch television for hours.
A study in Japan, entitled "Watching Television and Risk of Mortality From Pulmonary Embolism Among Japanese Men and Women" examined 86,024 participants consisting of 36,006 men and 50,018 women. This research actually started in the late 1980s in 45 regions of Japan involving 110,585 participants aged 40-79 years.
Participants were asked to spend an average of hours watching television per day and were then grouped into three groups. The first group consisted of participants who watched TV for less than 2.5 hours. The second group watched TV for more than 2.5 hours. The last group was asked to spend more than 5 hours watching TV.
This study concluded that death due to pulmonary embolism was experienced by study participants who watched TV more than 2.5 hours per day. The habit of staying silent for a long period of time is what ultimately triggers this disease.
3. Other risk factors
Apart from the factors already mentioned above, several other factors can also increase the risk of developing pulmonary embolism:
- Active smoker
- Over 60 years of age
- Are overweight or obese
- Are taking birth control pills or estrogen therapy
- Pregnancy, because the fetus in the womb can put pressure on the veins so that it slows down the back flow of the heart and facilitates the formation of venous blood clots
Having no risk factors does not mean you are free from this condition. The above factors are general factors and are for reference only. You should consult your doctor for more details.
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
Pulmonary embolism is a difficult condition to diagnose, especially if you have heart or lung disease. Therefore, your doctor may ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam.
In addition, your doctor may ask you to do the following tests:
- Blood test
- Chest X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT pulmonary angiography
- Ventilation-perfusion scan (V / Q scan)
- Pulmonary angiogram
- MRI
What are my treatment options for pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary embolism treatment aims to keep blood clots from getting bigger and prevent new clots from forming. You need to be treated immediately to prevent serious complications or death.
The following are treatment options for pulmonary embolism:
1. Medicines
The drugs used are blood thinners and blood clot solvents, such as:
- Anticoagulants
- Thrombolytics
2. Other operations and procedures
Medical procedures that may be done to treat pulmonary embolism include:
- Removal of blood clots.The doctor removes the blood clot through a thin tube (catheter) that is flexible and can penetrate your blood vessel.
- Vein filter.This procedure can help prevent blood from clotting to your lungs. This procedure is usually performed for those who cannot take anticoagulants.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat pulmonary embolism?
Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help you deal with pulmonary embolism include:
- Take drugs according to a prescription given by a doctor
- Avoid lying down or staying still for too long
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Keep your feet higher than your hips when lying down or sitting
- Quit smoking and stay away from cigarettes. This method can help you maintain overall lung health
- Don't wear clothes that restrict blood flow in your legs
- Using special medical stockings to prevent deep vein thrombosis, especially during long trips
- Routinely do medical check-ups to find out your health condition