How does dvt affect the body?

DVT, or Deep Vein Thrombosis – it’s the kind of acronym that makes you want to run in the opposite direction. But with up to 2 million cases diagnosed each year in the US alone, ignoring its effects might be more harmful than avoiding its name.

So if you’re ready to face your fears and understand just what happens when a clot forms deep within your veins, stick around for this wild ride through your circulatory system.

The Basics: What Is DVT?

Before we dive into how out-of-whack blood flow can affect various parts of our body, let’s get on the same page with what exactly is going down beneath our skin.

At its core level, DVT is characterized by a clot (thrombus) that forms in one of the body’s deep veins- typically occurring within lower-extremity areas such as calves or thighs. This clot can then wreak havoc, blocking normal blood flow and jeopardizing one or more important internal organs like lungs (riiiight?!).

If left untreated for long enough, such an interruption in nutrient flow will take a serious toll ~on~ to those healthy tissues needing nourishment beyond belief because they deserve better (& love), eventually leading to necrosis (cell death). Yikes! Let’s not let it get there…

Clot Formation

Our blood engages some pretty incredible mechanisms maintaining balance within vessels so nutrients are delivered efficiently while waste removal keeps us feeling good sans pressure overload.
Still wondering why did we ‘kidnap’ science class under false pretenses making us believe mitosis was related to tasting chocolate? well keep reading!👇
One major player during coagulation(unfortunately no cookies involved here either)is fibrinogen available from our liver that transforms itself via enzymatic activity along with platelets AND vitamin K-dependent factors prothrombin and thromboxane A2 in a cascade of events, leading to clot formation necessary for sealing up damaged areas quickly.

In many cases, such activators are present during emergencies such as an open wound or bleeding. Actually seemed pretty useful right? Welllll, turns out over-stimulation aka hyperviscosity or lack of antithrombotic signals that are typically abundant within normal functional venous walls can cause unfavorable imbalance leading to potentially dangerous clots lodging themselves inside veins instead.
Feel free to say thank you next time your body successfully forms a clot after cutting yourself shaving!

The Great Veinous Underbelly

What makes DVT particularly concerning is the fact that these “deep” veins lie beneath our skin and aren’t always easy to spot if something goes awry.

Most superficial spider-webby capillaries are easily visible when inflamed or irritated…but deep-skin alien-like flesh monsters lurking down below hiding their true nature with no outward sign from tell-tale odd movements only those on the lookout will notice (extra points!)

Just what happens when one of these pesky clots decides it’s ripe for adventure ~down Guatape river~ throughout our delicate organ systems? Buckle up — here we go.

1. Blood Flow Obstruction

Imagine this – blood flow which normally pumps freely throughout your veins (like caffeinated millennials discussing cryptocurrency) gets forced into an impacted “slow lane” due to obstruction caused by formed clot magic- avoiding merging at all cost; essentially nothing but stagnant pools remain disallowing access beyond affected vein segments. Not ideal.

Signs buttressing possible anatomical disruption involve acute leg pains radiating towards thighs specifically with movement causing more intense sensation development enlightening us very effectively there may be some impasse going…..Once we hit wince-level pain facing inability to stand on foot or having leg skin become notably red, swollen or warm it’s time to contact a health professional.

2. Venous Backup

So what happens when blood flow is momentarily halted in one area of your circulatory system? The pressure back-up emanating from all that normal-to-be-blood-now-pooling manifests itself by pushing fluid backward into capillaries and tissues within legs- most frequently found pooling with accompanying swelling known as edema like water-fighting against gravity…ish.

The more stagnation continues the greater risk accumulates for long-term damage ie ulcers and deficient nutrient delivery causing atrophy. Okay… .probably turning really blue in the face would have let our moms know its time to go see a doctor but injuries formed over shorter periods of immobility shouldn’t be discounted either!

While clots can occur anywhere within your body – including your brain (ugh), heart (dislike) & lungs (ewww)- DVT most commonly affects lower-body veins due to increased pressure buildup making those areas particularly susceptible to formation when predisposing factors come into play.

What follows are three key biological systems worth understanding before stepping on any transport modalities with seating arrangements leaving much to be desired 🚆🧐

1. Cardiac System

Your cardiac(heart) system provides important nutrients throughout your whole body….blessedly ! A serious problem occurs however once there is a clot lodged inside coronary arteries – pathway providing blood oxygenated services towards our tortured masses; hence myocardial infarction happening resulting in heart attack aka nerd apocalypse.
HOPEFULLY no news here concerning urgency surrounding attending wellness check-ups after hitting certain milestone birthdays for prevention measures if this could?

Considering an estimated ~80% mortality rate~, it makes sense why always take appropriate action when any related warnings appear needed ASAP.

2. Respiratory System

Imagine breathing air in only for a clot to be carried somewhere within your lungs- frightening,right?!. Not only is this type of scenario possible, but it can have dire consequences if not acted upon swiftly.

Pulmonary embolism(or PE) occurrence transpires obviously because of pulmonary artery hindrance; severity varies according to size and location circulating through our nice-nice breathers supporting oxygen grab from outside environment on behalf pof deprived cells following absence red blood cell saturation. Thus you throw away hard earned racing bike as gym membership that’s actually worth it…

3.Gastrointestinal System

Anytime anything remotely close gets in the way of digestion routine most people will notice something awry – no doubt about it! Similarly with intestinal displacement or direct covering by large thrombi(remember those?) some patients may experience abdominal pain along with bowel functioning distress/inability distracting us from even enjoying meals limiting daily activities good riddance…

Manifestation and induction are multi-factorial processes indicating several circumstances must apply simultaneously prior towards forming clots, such as age being an important one.
But still more risk associated with demographic than anyone else keeping weapons under pillow?! keep’ em coming.. stay sharp mate!

Let’s elaborate…..out of all variables gender statistically has highest correlation if female -especially during periods/ pregnancy/using hormonal contraceptives ie pill/”coil”/patch etc., individuals over 50 years old also more prone towards DVT developments other factors including obesity & smoking, genetics pre-existing medical conditions like high blood pressure ,diabetes …..the list goes on.

Point is there really isn’t just one bad guy or girl here – we’re talking groups joining forces to make deep vein thrombosis a serious concern worldwide.

As A spOoKY Halloween Addition we wanted YOU(…yes, you) to be aware of DVT’s seriously creepy side effects but don’t let it haunt your existence.  Keeping fit & active and avoiding sedentary behaviour whenever possible is one solid preventative measure worth incorporating into all our lives (duh!). Combine this with heightened awareness surrounding risk factors from predisposing conditions or past surgeries involving immobilization beyond 3-4 hours will make things that much easier.

If and when signs do appear alerting towards a clot related incident seek medical attention swiftly – tis’ better safe than sorry!

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