A blood clot refers to a collection of blood that can obstruct blood flow. Sometimes, this clot can lodge itself into the vessels in the legs. In some instances, they can block blood vessels in the lungs or blood clots may not form at all. Blood clot diseases have specific treatment options.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A deep vein thrombosis, also called a thromboembolism, refers to a blood clot located in the legs. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that signs of a deep vein thrombosis include leg pain in one leg, swelling of one leg, leg tenderness and changes in the leg's skin color. It says that risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis include smoking cigarettes, prolonged bed rest, having given birth within the last six months, recent surgery and taking birth control pills or estrogen. Treatment for a deep vein thrombosis involves receiving intravenous heparin and warfarin. These are blood-thinning medications. Sometimes, placing a filter in a large vein can prevent the blood clot from traveling to another site.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a condition in which a blood clot settles in the lung's blood vessels. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, a cough and chest pain. Other symptoms of pulmonary embolism include excessive sweating, a weak pulse, lightheadedness, leg swelling and wheezing. Risk factors for developing pulmonary embolism include sitting or being bedridden for long periods of time, having surgery and having a family history of pulmonary embolism. Treating a pulmonary embolism involves taking warfarin, clot dissolving medications, manually removing the clot or having a vein filter placed to prevent the clot from migrating to another location.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia refers to a medical condition in which the blood cannot clot. The Mayo Clinic says that specific migraine symptoms include joint tightness, blood in the urine or stool, bruising and unexplained nosebleeds. Sometimes, hemophilia leads to persistent vomiting, a persistent headache, neck pain and double vision (diplopia). Three types of hemophilia exist: types A, B and C. A lack of clotting factor VII leads to hemophilia A. A lack of clotting factor IX leads to hemophilia B and a lack of clotting factor XI leads to hemophilia C. Treating hemophilia involves taking desmopressin if suffering from hemophilia A. Hemophilia B is treated with clotting factors and hemophilia C is treated with plasma infusions.
