What is an Embolism?

Posted by in Health and Wellness, Health Watch, Lifestyle on Jan 28th, 2020 | Comments Off on What is an Embolism?

Embolism is an uncommon word for most people, but it’s not an uncommon occurrence, especially among people with cardiovascular diseases. Basically, embolism is when your internal organs get starved of oxygen. To avoid this from happening, you need to know what causes it in the first place.

Overview

To understand the condition, let’s look at some terms related to the condition:

  • Embolus is a particle in the blood vessels that are made up of clotted blood cells.
  • Thrombus is another term for blood clot, while thromboembolus is a name for the blood clot that is moving in the blood vessels.
  • Ischemia is the term for the oxygen starvation of the cells.
  • Embolism is the result of ischemia and is characterized by the death of the cells.

Causes and Risks

Although embolism can be caused by a foreign material in the blood, such as gas/bubbles or fat globule, most blockages in the blood vessels are caused by a blood clot. Certain conditions increase your risk of embolism, including pregnancy, obesity, cancer, and heart disease.

Those with high cholesterol levels for example, have narrower arteries due to the build-up of plaque. If part of the build-up breaks up, the piece can lodge in the blood vessels and prevent proper blood circulation.

Symptoms of Embolism

Pulmonary embolism can cause the following: sharp back or chest pain, lightheadedness, bloody sputum, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Deep vein thrombosis can cause pain or tenderness in one leg, reddish skin, warm skin on the affected area, and swelling.

Stroke causes arm weakness or numbness, drooping face, and slurred speech. All of these are considered an emergency, so if you have a heart disease, make sure to get proper treatment to avoid embolism.

Types of Embolism

There are at least seven types of embolism you should be aware of.

  • Brain embolism is caused by the blood clot in the brain and is also another name for stroke
  • Pulmonary embolism is the formation of an embolus in the leg and is also another name for deep vein thrombosis
  • Septic embolism is the blocking of the blood vessels due to the infection in the bloodstream
  • Retinal embolism affects the back of the eye that can lead to sudden blindness
  • Fat embolism is the blockage of the blood vessels due to the introduction of bone marrow particles or fat into the blood
  • Amniotic embolism is the blockage of the mother’s lungs due to the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus
  • Air embolism is caused by the bubbles in the blood that blocks blood flow and is common among divers.

Treatment and Prevention

A healthy lifestyle prevents most condition that put you at risk of embolism. If you have symptoms of a cardiovascular disease, make sure to get a proper treatment through medication and a change of diet. Regular exercise will also help you reduce weight and keep you active.

Avoid sitting for long periods of time, too, as it prevents your calf muscles from contracting. Deep vein thrombosis can result from lack of movement even if you don’t have a heart disease. Divers can prevent air embolism by following proper guidelines and avoiding spending too much time underwater.

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