Suffering From A Pulmonary Embolism is No Joke

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition. It causes sudden blockage of lung arteries by blood clots. Most commonly, these clots originate in deep veins in the lower legs, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT, before breaking free through bloodstream circulation to lodge themselves in lung tissue, leading to PE.

PE can have serious repercussions. It can significantly impede blood flow to the lungs, leading to permanent lung damage. Furthermore, large emboli or multiple smaller ones may prove catastrophic and even fatal in some instances. We must recognize its causes, remain aware of warning signs and symptoms, and fully comprehend our available treatment options to manage the condition adequately.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can significantly improve the prognosis for Pulmonary Embolism, potentially saving lives. Therefore, education about this condition should be treated as an urgent priority.

Causes of a Pulmonary Embolism

Deep Vein Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of PE. Here a blood clot forms within deep veins in the lower extremities, dislodging and traveling to become lodged in one or more lungs. Extended periods of inactivity can increase blood stagnation, increasing its propensity for clot formation. Such prolonged immobility could arise due to bed rest following surgery, long-haul flights, or extended sedentary behavior.

Certain diseases which promote blood clotting increase the risk of PE, such as cancer, heart disease, and inherited clotting disorders that interfere with clot formation/dissolution balance within the body. These may include cancer, heart disease, and inherited disorders of clotting that disturb this delicate equilibrium between formation/dissolution processes in our bodies.

Smoking can cause damage to the inner lining of blood vessels, and disrupt standard clotting mechanisms. This increases your chances of PE. Both pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy increase clotting factors in the blood.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism

There are many signs that a person may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism. Some of them include: 

• Shortness of Breath: Shortness of breath is one of the most frequently reported symptoms. It often appears suddenly without apparent cause and worsens quickly during physical activity. You may experience gasping for breath or be unable to take deep breaths comfortably.
• Chest Pain: PE can produce severe chest pain that could easily be mistaken for a heart attack. This sensation worsens with deep breathing, coughing, eating, or bending and feels like crushing pressure or severe discomfort in either your center or left chest region.
• Cough: Unexpected coughing fits are one of the telltale signs of PE, often followed by bloody or streaked-with-blood sputum due to irritation or damage to lung tissue by clot formation.
• Sweating and Clammy Skin: Sweating and Clammy skin may accompany other symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. Excessive sweating or cold, clammy skin could be your body's response to stressful events.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat: PE can result in rapid heart rate or arrhythmias as the heart struggles to pump blood through blocked lung arteries, manifesting through palpitations.

Treating Pulmonary Embolism

Attempt to reduce its severity before medical intervention becomes necessary. Treating PE should aim to prevent an existing clot from expanding further and new clots from forming. Here are the main approaches:

1. Clot Dissolvers: Doctors may prescribe drugs that rapidly dissolve clots for emergencies. However, due to potential sudden bleeding risks, these are only used as lifesaving measures.
2. Compression Stockings: To help avoid DVT and PE, doctors may suggest wearing graduated compression stockings with pressure applied to the lower legs to maintain blood flow and decrease swelling. They apply pressure against the lower legs to promote proper blood circulation. This helps promote regular circulation while aiding blood flow reduction and swelling.
3. Vena cava Filter: When certain medications cannot be taken, a filter can be placed into your central vein to catch blood clots before they travel to your lungs and cause serious issues.
4. Pulmonary Embolectomy: For life-threatening cases, surgeons may perform a procedure to surgically extract the clot from your lung.

Conclusion

A pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical intervention. Recognizing its causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment options is critical to managing it effectively. Please seek medical advice for personalized advice regarding prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment, as early detection can make an enormous difference in outcomes.