A sedentary life negatively affects all life. Those who have to lie down for a long time due to desk jobs, surgery or a different illness… Later, they may encounter dangerous consequences. Like pulmonary embolism… Mostly, pulmonary embolism, which develops due to reasons such as inadequate physical activity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and alcohol, and results in clogging of the vessels due to prolonged inactivity, Avrasya Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Fatma Şen is telling.
It can pose fatal risks ...
A blockage due to a clot or another cause in one of the vessels in the lungs is called pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism usually occurs in the legs and very rarely in other parts of the body. It can be seen in everyone, but this risk may increase due to cancer and previous surgical operation. Due to the obstruction of the pulmonary embolism, the lung cannot fulfill its function adequately and there may be a risk of death due to insufficient blood.
There are triggering situations
There are many conditions that cause pulmonary embolism. It may occur in cases where the circulation is stagnant, due to excessive clotting tendency and damage to the vessel wall. Situations where circulation is slow can be summarized as follows; Conditions requiring prolonged immobility, heart failure, advanced age, COPD, long bus and plane trips, intra-abdominal tumors… Conditions caused by abnormal coagulation are as follows; cancer, genetic coagulation disorders, birth control pills, kidney diseases, overweight. Damages in the vascular wall; burns, trauma, blood poisoning and lower leg surgery.
It can affect your whole body
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot reaches an artery in the lungs and becomes blocked. Blood clots that cause the blockage usually come from the leg. Blood from blocked veins damages the lung lobes by depriving them of oxygen. This condition is called pulmonary infarction. This situation can harm not only the lung lobes, but also the whole body, as the lung does not deliver enough oxygen to the body.
Do not neglect to move during the day!
There is a risk of pulmonary embolism in everyone, but staying still for a long time increases this risk. Especially in people who are on bed rest for a long time after surgery, the risk of developing blood clots is higher. Because when the legs remain horizontal for a long time, the venous blood flow becomes stagnant and the blood becomes suitable for coagulation. Likewise, sitting in the same position for a long time on long journeys slows the blood flow in the legs and creates a suitable environment for clotting.
Pregnancy increases the possible risk
Pregnancy is an important risk factor in pulmonary embolism. Because the baby's pressure on the vessels around the uterus slows the return of blood in the legs. This slow flow of blood or pooling of blood in the legs may cause clot formation.
If you have these symptoms…
- Sudden shortness of breath,
- Pain and pain in the chest when eating or breathing,
- Bloody and phlegm cough
- Pain in the back,
- Irregular heartbeat,
- Swelling in arms and legs,
What kind of a path is followed in diagnosis and treatment?
Pulmonary embolism is a very dangerous disease, so timely intervention plays a key role in the recovery of the disease. Because if pulmonary embolism is detected early, blood thinners prevent the clot from breaking off and going to the lung. Computed tomography and scintigraphy examination is preferred as a diagnostic method among nuclear medicine methods.
If the patient is in the high risk group, treatment is started within the first two weeks as soon as the diagnosis is made. Generally, clot-dissolving drugs are used. In cases where this treatment is insufficient, the occluded artery is cleaned with the help of a catheter by entering from the groin with local anesthesia. During the first 6 months following this treatment, anticoagulant drugs should be used. If the patient is in the risk group and the possibility of recurrence is high, these drugs can be used for life.
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