A blood clot or thrombus forms when blood flows too slowly through the blood vessels, or when the body produces an excess of clotting factors. Peripheral blood clots occur in any blood vessels except those that serve the heart, brain or lungs. The...
Unilateral upper limb edema refers to the swelling of the soft tissues of either the right or left arm or hand. Edema is more common in the legs and feet. If it occurs in the upper extremity, it is usually due to problems with drainage of the...
A blood clot is a collection of blood that can obstruct blood vessels. Deep-vein thrombosis results when a blood clot obstructs veins in the leg. Sometimes this clot can move to the lungs and lead to a condition called a pulmonary embolism. In...
Vitamin B12, also named cobalamin, is a member of the B complex of vitamins. All the B vitamins, including vitamin B12 are water soluble, and excess amounts of vitamin B12 that are not used by the body are usually excreted in the urine. As a...
Blotchiness on the arms can be bothersome and frustrating. A variety of medical and environmental conditions cause blotchy skin; some cases require the attention of a medical practitioner. In order to properly diagnose your skin problem, you...
Medications commonly used to prevent or treat osteoporosis include bisphosphonates, raloxifene, estrogen/progestin supplements, calcitonin and calcium supplements with vitamin D. Some of these medications have serious side effects or risks that...
A deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT, is an abnormal blood clot that blocks blood flow in a large vein. DVTs in the arm cause pain, swelling, discoloration and occasionally weakness. Clot fragments can break off and travel to the lungs, causing...
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a support structure in the knee that prevents the forward and backward movement of the bones of the knee. It is often injured in athletic activities or during traumas such as motor vehicle accidents. The...
A DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is a blood clot in the arms or legs that can cause significant symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, a DVT can cause swelling, pain, redness, warmth and cramps. In addition, a DVT can be dangerous because it can...
A blood clot, also referred to as an embolism, may form in a vein or an artery in the arm. Risk factors for blood clots include obesity, a broken bone, birth control pills, traveling in a vehicle for long periods and bed rest. Recognizing symptoms...
Blood clots naturally to stop bleeding after an injury. However, sometimes blood clots form when no injury has occurred; when this happens, blood flow through an artery or vein can be impeded, leading to varicose veins or serious, life-threatening...
Fibrins are fibrous proteins that combine with platelets to form blood clots. Fibrins behave as "biological band-aids" to prevent bleeding. Obese individuals with the condition known as factor V Leiden possess a higher risk of forming dangerous...
Blood clots are formed at the site of injuries and trauma to stop bleeding. Abnormal clots can also form when certain medications are taken. These clots can form in places where they aren't needed. When they form in deep veins, there is a chance...
A blood clot in the lungs is known as a pulmonary embolism. It is often a result of a blood clot forming in the deep veins of the legs, known as a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which then travels to the lungs where it is caught in the blood...
Blood clots occur naturally as the body's way of preventing excessive blood loss from injury, surgery, child birth or other circumstances. Blood clots during pregnancy are more common because of the excess clotting factor in the pregnant mother's...