It started with just a strain in my neck which proceeded to a horrible pain in my right neck to the point of immobilization. Then I had difficulty in breathing that proceeded in me not being able to breath at all. After finally seeing the Dr. and receiving a CT scan, the results showed 3 blood clots in my right lung. I'm a rare case in that I was very gaseous - still to this day. No reason has been given to this - though it only began when the blood clots had formed. I'm still not cured and am still taking Coumadin. It was a horrible experience that I NEVER want to go through again. I spent a week, my Birthday, in the Hospital.
Comment from: Cat, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: October 06
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 5 years ago. I blame my 60 pound weight gain on the medication and the exhaustion that looking back now caused me to stay in bed. The top cause for blood clots is weight, but still I never thought it could happen to me. I have been trying to keep moving, even water exercises almost daily. One day I went to a doctor's appointment and decided I would walk in the mall. I noticed after a short time that I was sweating so severely, my hair was soaking wet and the sweat was pouring. I tried to ignore the throbbing chest pain as I was told it has been proven that a person can suffer from chest muscle wall pain of Fibromyalgia.
The more I attempted to walk, I just knew something was going on. I made it home and the symptoms didn't go away~~In fact, I started having stomach cramps followed by diarrhea. A little voice inside me told me I should go to the hospital. My EKG was normal and the nurse talked like I would be going home.
Thank God one of the ER doctors decided to do a lung CAT scan. The nurse came in and said "you are not going anywhere".
I spent 4 days in ICU because they found an embolism in both lungs. I was put on Coumadin and oxygen 24/7. (I use a C-Pap machine for sleep apnea). It has been 7 days and the home health nurses keep telling me that my PT shows my blood two thin. I have learned a lot from reading all of the comments. I thank all of you who took the time to help us "newcomers" understand. Obviously I am on a strict diet and I am committed to losing the weight. I have discontinued the Lyrica for Fibromyalgia and Amitriptyline for anxiety.
Comment from: 35-44 Male (Caregiver)Published: October 06
My husband,42, went to the er for a small toe infection (we think a spider bit him) and it turned out to be serious because of his uncontrolled diabetes. He had to have surgery on the toe to remove the infection and was in the hospital for 6 days because of diabetes complications. He was put on insulin for the first time. (I wish we went on insulin sooner) Anyhow, while he was in the hospital, he didn't get up to walk at all. He was just laying in the hospital bed with his foot up. When he went home, he kept his foot up also. I think this is why he got the blood clot. A few days later the nurse came to change his bandages and noticed one foot was colder than the other and she said it might be a blood clot. (also he was using crutches and had to keep his left leg bent in order to get around.) We went to the er and sure enough they admitted him and said he had a blood clot on his lower leg. They kept him in the hospital for about 3 days this time. The hospital was wonderful and this time he will definitely watch his diet. He went home and is now on insulin, Lovenox shots 2x daily and also Warfarin 1 1/2 a day. His INR keeps changing slightly because he ran out of Lovenox shots at one point. At one point he was off Lovenox but just recently had to take them again. Anyhow, we have a great doctors office that is monitoring it so I hope all goes well. Also he was drinking lots of Green Tea which I think is High in Vitamin K. So I think I missed this when I was reading the things not to eat. I read everything but didn't catch the Green tea till my nurse sent me another book. so no green tea if you're on warfarin. Thanks MedicineNet.
Comment from: 35-44 Male (Patient)Published: October 06
Hi I have had heart attacks strokes from blood clots. The doctors couldn't figure out why i was having heart attacks at my age my arteries were clear. They did a test and found I had Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS). This syndrome causes your blood to clot in woman it causes mischarges. I was put on warfarin and have to stay on it for the rest of my life. I recently was bleeding out in to my lungs and the cavity around the heart they took me of blood thinners and i threw a clot destroying left arm making it useless. I have had a nightmare and continued one as im sure all of u have. If you feel something is wrong and if u think your doctor isn't listening then see another this has saved my life and my family and friends.
Comment from: shartmac, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: October 06
I was diagnosed with a blood clot earlier this year in late March, right before my 37th birthday. I went to a walk in clinic with a swollen right arm, and once the physician on duty saw the sight of my arm she sent me to the ER immediately. The next couple of days involved sitting in the ER, waiting for test after test to be done, having my blood drawn, etc... Now, six months later, the clot is gone but the oncologist who treated me at the hospital seems to think that I need to stay on the warfarin I've been taking up until now and refer me to another specialist. I am so frustrated. If it's gone, then why do I need to stay on this path? There was no clear reason or cause as to why I developed the clot in the first place. I wish I had more answers and that someone out there could explain this to me. The oncologist kept saying something about a reoccurrence and other such things.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
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Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and more.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein located deep in the muscles of the legs, thighs, pelvis (lower torso), or arms. The most common symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis are swelling and pain in the leg that has the blood clot. A DVT is difficult to diagnose without specific tests in which the deep vein system can be examined.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. There are different areas where hematomas occur including the inside the skull, scalp, ear, septum, bones, finger and toenails, and intra-abdominal. Treatment for hematomas depend on the type and location of the hematoma.
Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Celiac disease is a result of an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat or related grains and present in many foods that we eat. Celiac disease causes impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients through the small intestine. Signs and symptoms of celiac disease include malabsorbption (diarrhea, foul smelling gas, bloating, and increased amounts of fat in the stool) and malnutrition (weight loss, edema, anemia, bruising easily, neuropathy, and infertility). Treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet, and at times if necessary, medications
Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding can be caused by a variety of situations such as blunt trauma, deceleration trauma, medications, fractures, and spontaneous bleeding. Treatment of internal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding.
A peptic ulcer is an ulcer in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Ulcer formation is related to Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, use of anti-inflammatory medications, and cigarette smoking.
Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is most commonly caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the other causes of ascites include portal hypertension, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and pancreatitis. The most common symptoms include increased abdominal girth and size, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on the cause of ascites.
The spleen enlarges if it is asked to do excessive work in filtering or manufacturing blood cells, if there is abnormal blood flow to it, or if it is invaded with abnormal cells or deposits. Symptoms of an enlarged spleen may include weakness and fatigue, easy bleeding, and poor white blood cell function. Treatment of an enlarged spleen is focused toward the cause of the splenomegaly. Surgery may be required to remove the spleen.
Thrombocytopenia refers to a decreased number of platelets in the blood. There are many causes of thrombocytopenia such as decreased platelet production (viral infections for example rubella, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis C, and HIV); increased platelet destruction or consumption (for example sulfonamide antibiotics, heparin, blood transfusions, and lupus); or increased splenic sequestration (enlarged spleen due to conditions for example liver disease, blood cancers, and more). Treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the cause.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease symptoms include: intermittent claudication, rest pain, numbness in the extremities, and more. Treatment for peripheral artery disease include: lifestyle measures, medication, angioplasty, and surgery.
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth that only partially erupt allows for an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection, which results in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness. Before your wisdom teeth are pulled, the teeth and the surrounding tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Recovery from wisdom tooth removal depends upon the difficulty of the extraction.
Hydronephrosis is a condition in which the kidney swells, due to a backup of urine. Hydronephrosis generally occurs with another disease.Symptoms of hydronephrosis include nausea, vomiting, urinary tract infection, fever, painful urination, increased urinary frequency and urgency, flank pain, and swelling of the abdomen. Treatment of hydronephrosis depends on the cause.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
When a portion of the brain loses blood supply, through a blood clot or embolus, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke) may occur. If the symptoms do not resolve, a stroke most likely has occurred. Symptoms of TIA include: confusion, weakness, lethargy, and loss of function to one side of the body. Risk factors for TIA include vascular disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Treatment depends upon the severity of the TIA, and whether it resolves.
Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis is when a blood clot causes the inflammation. Phlebitis can be superficial or deeper in the veins. A blood clot deep in a vein is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Some of the common causes of phlebitis include prolonged inactivity, varicose veins, trauma to a vein, underlying cancers, clotting disorders, etc. Symptoms of phlebitis may be mild (pain, tenderness, redness, or bulging of a vein. Treatment of phlebitis depends on the cause.
In the United States, head injuries are one of the most common causes of death and disability. Head injuries due to bleeding are generally classified by the location of the blood within the scull, these include: epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid bleed, intracranial bleed, sheer injury, edema, and skull fracture. Some common symptoms of a head injury include: vomiting, bleeding from the ear, speech difficulties, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and body numbness. Treatment of a head injury depends on the type and severity of the injury.
If you're like most Americans, you plan for your future. When you take a job,
you examine its benefit plan. When you buy a home, you consider its location and
condition so that your investment is safe. Today, more and more Americans are
protecting their most important asset--their health. Are you?
Stroke ranks as the third leading killer in the United
States. A stroke can be devastating to individuals and their families, robbing
them of their independence. It is the most common cause of adult disability.
Each year more than 700,000 Americans have a stroke, with about 160,000 dying
from stroke-related causes. Officials at the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are committed to reducing that burden through
biomedical research.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, or "brain attack," occurs when blood circulation
to the brain fails. Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and th...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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It started with just a strain in my neck which proceeded to a horrible pain in my right neck to the point of immobilization. Then I had difficulty in breathing that proceeded in me not being able to breath at all. After finally seeing the Dr. and receiving a CT scan, the results showed 3 blood clots in my right lung. I'm a rare case in that I was very gaseous - still to this day. No reason has been given to this - though it only began when the blood clots had formed. I'm still not cured and am still taking Coumadin. It was a horrible experience that I NEVER want to go through again. I spent a week, my Birthday, in the Hospital.
Related Reading: CT scan | blood clots