What Are Blood Clots?
A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. When you get injured, your body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding stops and healing takes place, your body usually breaks down and removes the clotted blood product.
How Are Blood Clots Made?
When there is an injury that causes bleeding, the nearby blood vessels constrict (narrow) to help prevent blood loss. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops. Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound.
Some Common Causes of Blood Clots:
a. Being on long-term bed rest or bedridden
b. Sitting for long periods, such as in a plane or car
c. During or after pregnancy
d. Taking birth control pills or estrogen hormones (especially in women who smoke)
e. Long-term use of an intravenous catheter
f. After surgery
Treatment Options for Blood Clots
Use of anti-coagulant medications – In most cases, a doctor will prescribe anticoagulant medications (blood thinners). These medications reduce the body’s ability to form new clots, while also preventing existing clots from getting bigger.
Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) medications – These drugs directly target the specific proteins responsible for blood clotting. DOACs act rapidly, and their effects on the body are short lasting. Some DOAC drugs include; apixaban, betrixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and rivaroxaban.
Compression stockings – Compression stockings are elasticated stockings that fit over the foot and extend up to the calf. These stockings are designed to assist blood flow out of the lower legs and back up toward the heart, helping relieve the symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS.)
Thrombolytics – Thrombolytics are drugs that dissolve blood clots. A doctor may give a thrombolytic intravenously, or they may use a catheter in the vein, which will allow them to deliver the drug directly to the site of the clot.
Surgical thrombectomy – In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a blood clot from a vein or artery. A thrombectomy may be necessary for clots that are very large or are causing severe damage to nearby tissues. After removing the clot, the surgeon may insert a small tube or “stent” into the blood vessel to keep it open.
Risk Factors for Blood Clots
• Pregnancy: Women are more likely to develop blood clots when they're pregnant due to an increase in platelets and clotting factors.
• Age: People age 65 and older have increased blood clot risk.
• Obesity: These conditions can lead to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of clots.
• Malignancy/cancer: Some types of cancer increase the proteins that clot your blood.
• Smoking: Smoking also damages the lining of the blood vessels, which can cause clots to form.
• Birth control pills: These can slow blood flow and cause clotting.
Conditions That Predispose One to Blood Clot Formation
Factor 5 Leiden: People with factor V Leiden have a mutation in their coagulation factor V (F5) gene. The factor V Leiden mutation changes this protein’s structure. As a result, your blood may clot more easily than it should, leading to serious complications.
Antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome): An autoimmune disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks proteins bound to phospholipids. These antibodies make it much more likely that you will have blood clots in your arteries or veins, miscarriages, and/or other pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia.
Malignancy: Cancerous cells may produce clotting substances such as tissue factor-containing micro-particles that lead to an increased risk of blood clots.
How Are Blood Clots Diagnosed?
Duplex ultrasound. A compression ultrasound is noninvasive test uses sound waves to create pictures useful for diagnosing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). During this evaluation the sonographer moves a small hand-held device (transducer) over the area of the body of concern.
Preventing Blood Clot Formation
Staying active: Regular exercise appears to lower one’s chances of developing a blood clot.
Smoking cessation: Research has shown that smoking including e-cigarettes raises one’s risk of developing a dangerous blood clot.
Healthy Weight: Obesity is associated with increased pressure inside your abdomen, being less active, and having long-term inflammation in your body.
Self-Care Tips:
Nattokinase. Nattokinase is an enzyme produced from nattō, a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with the bacterium, Bacillus subtilis. Studies have shown that nattokinase can dissolves blood clots and can help maintain good blood vessel structure, improves blood flow, and lowers the risk of heart disease. Natto can break down fibrin in the blood that forms clots or affect some factors that characterize disorders like memory loss.
Natto is believed to be a significant contributor to the longevity of the Japanese population.
Turmeric. Curcumin the main ingredient in turmeric is known to prevent the development of blood clots due to its anticoagulant properties. Studies show that turmeric may slow or inhibit formation of blood clots. In doing so, this may help prevent strokes, seizures, heart disease, and DVTs.
Ginger. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory spice which contains salicylate. Remember that aspirin is a synthetic derivative of salicylate, which is a potent blood thinner.
Cayenne peppers. Cayenne is also high in salicylates which acts as a potent blood thinner. Cayenne peppers also noted to increase circulation, reduce pain sensation, and lower blood pressure.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
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