Thrombosis due to thrombosis Act quickly

Danger of Thrombosis: Act quickly

13/10/2014

This year, the World Thrombosis Day will take place for the first time. On October 13, international and national medical societies want to draw attention to the life-threatening vascular blockage. Above all, it is important to recognize warning signs and then act quickly.

World Thrombosis Day will take place for the first time this year
In Germany alone, an estimated 100,000 people die each year as a result of venous thrombosis. This was recently reported by the German Society for Angiology and other professional societies in Berlin at a press conference. As „test.de“ writes one of the speakers, Robert Klamroth, vascular physician at the Berlin Vivantes Hospital in Friedrichshain: „However, many people are not aware of the danger and do not know the warning signs.“ In order to sensitize more people to the topic, the world thrombosis day takes place for the first time this year on October 13th. He is from the „International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis“ as well as various national specialist societies.

People should know risk factors and symptoms
„The World Thrombosis Day is designed to inform the public, physicians and health care decision makers about the disease, its development, risk factors, symptoms and preventive measures“, said venous specialist Dr. med. Jutta Schimmelpfennig, member of the DGP quoted in a joint statement of the German specialist societies. „People should know the risk factors and symptoms in order to seek immediate medical help in an emergency“, added Klamroth.

First symptoms are often misinterpreted
In a thrombosis, a blood clot (thrombus) is formed, which can constrict a vessel or completely clogged. If the blood clot is flushed into the lungs with the bloodstream, it may block blood vessels and cause pulmonary embolism, which is often fatal. In addition, blood clots can trigger a heart attack or stroke as well as other circulatory disorders or pathological narrowing of arteries, such as in a smoker's leg. Often the sufferers interpret the first symptoms wrong and can be treated too late.

Confused with muscle soreness
As Klamroth from the Society for Thrombosis and Hematology Research (GTH) recently told the news agency dpa, persistent back pain, reddish discoloration and swelling may be an indication of thrombosis. In addition, other experts point out that even thick legs, swollen legs and a feeling of tension - often in the popliteal fossa - can be warning signs of a thrombosis. Often the symptoms are confused with a sore muscles, as Klamroth explained.

In a thrombosis, the patient is treated with blood thinners
A thrombosis causes a blood clot, which can lead to vascular blockage. If treatment with blood thinners is initiated in good time, the patient has very good chances of recovery. „The risk of relapse is highest in the first few weeks, so patients should take the anticoagulant for three months“, Klamroth told dpa. Compression treatments such as stocking or bandaging and exercise also promote recovery.

Exercise is the best prophylaxis
The risk of thrombosis is favored for example by a lack of exercise during a long flight or after an operation. Stefanie Reich-Schupke of the DGP also points out to the news agency that a change in hormone balance, for example during pregnancy, or when taking the birth control pill increases the risk of blood clots. Other risk factors include overweight or obesity, bed-rested illnesses, certain inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism and increasing age. To prevent thrombosis, exercise is considered the best prophylactic. „Stairways instead of lifts, bicycles instead of cars or going for a walk instead of bus travel are already helpful, "said Andreas Tiede, professor of haemostaseology at the Hannover Medical School, to the news agency.A healthy diet with plenty of fiber and sufficient fluid also promote blood circulation. (Ag, ad)