Having blood in urine is not normal. Seeing blood in urine can be a frightening experience for most people. When blood occurs in the urine, the condition is medically known as hematuria. In most cases, having blood in urine is not a cause for alarm. Sometimes participating in strenuous sports can cause blood to appear in urine. Some footballers often see traces of blood in urine after being knocked down on the sports field. Other common causes of blood in urine include kidney stones and drugs. However, in the elderly individual blood in urine may signal the appearance of a cancer.
Blood in the urine is classified as gross or microscopic. When the urine is only slightly red and red blood cells are only seen under a microscope, this is known as microscopic hematuria. When there is frank blood in urine, this is known as gross hematuria.
When gross hematuria occurs, one must always rule out a cancer. When there is microscopic hematuria, the cause may be an infection or a stone.
Hematuria that is caused with exercise or sports trauma usually disappears within a few days and does not require any extensive work up
Symptoms
In many individuals, microscopic hematuria may present as red or pink colored urine. It takes only a few red blood cells to make the urine look red. In most cases, there is no pain associated with blood in urine.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Blood clots:Part 6
How can I prevent blood clots?
The best methods of preventing blood clots include:
- Being active, walking on a daily basis
- If flying or driving a long distance, walk around
every few hours
- Wear compression stockings
- Lose weight
- Avoid prolonged standing
- If possible, avoid the birth control pill
Are there any home treatments to treat blood clots in the legs?
Yes, once you have been started on a blood thinner, you can do a number of things at home to relieve symptoms:
- Frequently elevate the leg, this will decrease
swelling and pain
- Avoid standing for long periods
- Wear compression stockings
- If it feels warm at the back of the leg where the
blood clot has been identified, apply a warm compress
Final advice
All individuals who are being treated with blood thinning medications should wear a medical bracelet to alert health care workers of their medical problem.
The best methods of preventing blood clots include:
- Being active, walking on a daily basis
- If flying or driving a long distance, walk around
every few hours
- Wear compression stockings
- Lose weight
- Avoid prolonged standing
- If possible, avoid the birth control pill
Are there any home treatments to treat blood clots in the legs?
Yes, once you have been started on a blood thinner, you can do a number of things at home to relieve symptoms:
- Frequently elevate the leg, this will decrease
swelling and pain
- Avoid standing for long periods
- Wear compression stockings
- If it feels warm at the back of the leg where the
blood clot has been identified, apply a warm compress
Final advice
All individuals who are being treated with blood thinning medications should wear a medical bracelet to alert health care workers of their medical problem.
Blood clots: part 5
Is there a risk from taking these medications?
Yes, all blood thinning medication can cause bleeding. Thus one should avoid activities that can lead to trauma to the body, otherwise severe bleeding can occur.
Can blood clots be dissolved instantly?
Yes, there are medications (thrombolytics) which can rapidly dissolve blood clots. However, there are specific indications for use of these medications and they all carry a higher risk of complications. Their use is only limited to hospital patients.
Is surgery ever used to treat blood clots from the legs?
Yes, in very rare cases surgery (thrombectomy/embolectomy) is sometimes used in the treatment of blood clots. However, this is done for life or limb threatening cases only. There is no role for surgery in the routine treatment of blood clots in the legs. The surgery is hazardous and fraught with complications. However, it is life saving.
What happens if I am unable to tolerate a blood thinning medication?
Today, there are several devices (filters) which can be placed in the vein to prevent blood clots from migrating to lungs. The filter has to be placed before the blood clot has broken off. The filter acts like an umbrella and is quite effective in preventing the blood clot from moving to lung. These devices have an umbrella like appearance and do not dissolve the clot but prevent it from going to lungs. Filters are more commonly used in individuals who can not take blood thinners. There are both permanent and temporary filters available today but they do cost a fortune. Some of the temporary filters cost more than $15, 000.
Yes, all blood thinning medication can cause bleeding. Thus one should avoid activities that can lead to trauma to the body, otherwise severe bleeding can occur.
Can blood clots be dissolved instantly?
Yes, there are medications (thrombolytics) which can rapidly dissolve blood clots. However, there are specific indications for use of these medications and they all carry a higher risk of complications. Their use is only limited to hospital patients.
Is surgery ever used to treat blood clots from the legs?
Yes, in very rare cases surgery (thrombectomy/embolectomy) is sometimes used in the treatment of blood clots. However, this is done for life or limb threatening cases only. There is no role for surgery in the routine treatment of blood clots in the legs. The surgery is hazardous and fraught with complications. However, it is life saving.
What happens if I am unable to tolerate a blood thinning medication?
Today, there are several devices (filters) which can be placed in the vein to prevent blood clots from migrating to lungs. The filter has to be placed before the blood clot has broken off. The filter acts like an umbrella and is quite effective in preventing the blood clot from moving to lung. These devices have an umbrella like appearance and do not dissolve the clot but prevent it from going to lungs. Filters are more commonly used in individuals who can not take blood thinners. There are both permanent and temporary filters available today but they do cost a fortune. Some of the temporary filters cost more than $15, 000.
Blood clots:Part 4
What is treatment of a blood clot?
If a blood clot is found in the deep veins, you will require admission to hospital for at least 4-7 days. Following some blood work, you will be started on heparin.
What is heparin?
Heparin is a blood thinner that is given intravenously. It does not dissolve the clot but helps to stabilize the clot so that it does not move. After a few days, you will be started on an oral medication called warfarin and then discharged home. Anyone who receives warfarin needs his or her blood assessed on a weekly to monthly basis to ensure that blood thinning is adequate.
How long do I need to take a blood thinner?
For a first time blood clot, you will need to take warfarin for at least 6-9 months. Those with recurrent blood clots will require warfarin for an indefinite time.
Are there any other medications one can take for blood clots?
Yes, the newer medications are called low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). These medications do not require monitoring and can be taken at home. Unfortunately they need to be injected daily and are more expensive.
If a blood clot is found in the deep veins, you will require admission to hospital for at least 4-7 days. Following some blood work, you will be started on heparin.
What is heparin?
Heparin is a blood thinner that is given intravenously. It does not dissolve the clot but helps to stabilize the clot so that it does not move. After a few days, you will be started on an oral medication called warfarin and then discharged home. Anyone who receives warfarin needs his or her blood assessed on a weekly to monthly basis to ensure that blood thinning is adequate.
How long do I need to take a blood thinner?
For a first time blood clot, you will need to take warfarin for at least 6-9 months. Those with recurrent blood clots will require warfarin for an indefinite time.
Are there any other medications one can take for blood clots?
Yes, the newer medications are called low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). These medications do not require monitoring and can be taken at home. Unfortunately they need to be injected daily and are more expensive.
Blood Clots: part 3
What causes blood clots in the veins?
There are many reasons why blood clots can form in veins. These include
- Prolonged immobility (after surgery)
- Long airplane ride
- Taking the birth control pill
- Trauma or fractures of leg(s)
- Injury to veins
- Cancer
- Stroke- which has caused one to become bed ridden
- After any surgery- especially hip and knee
- Obesity
- Congestive heart failure
- Pregnancy or just after delivery
- Inherited blood disorders
- Prior blood clot –there is increased chance of a
second clot if one has had a previous blood clot
Are blood clots dangerous?
Most definitely. Any time you have one of the above symptoms; one should go and see a doctor. Blood clots in veins have a high tendency to break off and migrate to the lungs where they can cause serious problem’s including death.
How can blood clots in veins be detected?
Your physician will first examine you and order the most appropriate tests. The first test to detect blood clots in all cases is an ultrasound.
Doppler ultrasound is a painless test that takes a few minutes and can easily detect the presence of blood clots in arm and leg veins. However, if blood clots are located in the chest, abdomen or pelvis, Ultrasound is not good enough.
MRI: This non invasive test is also excellent for evaluating presence of blood clots. The test does not use radiation but is slightly more expensive. It is useful for detection of blood clots almost anywhere in the body, but is not the first test of choice.
Venogram: In the old days Venogram was used to look for blood clots. However this test is rarely used to day because of availability of US and MRI. Venogram requires use of a dye and radiation.
CT scan: The newer CT scans can easily identify presence of clots in the lungs. However, CT scans are not routinely used to detect blood clots as the initial test. CT scan requires exposure to radiation and use of an iodinated dye.
There are many reasons why blood clots can form in veins. These include
- Prolonged immobility (after surgery)
- Long airplane ride
- Taking the birth control pill
- Trauma or fractures of leg(s)
- Injury to veins
- Cancer
- Stroke- which has caused one to become bed ridden
- After any surgery- especially hip and knee
- Obesity
- Congestive heart failure
- Pregnancy or just after delivery
- Inherited blood disorders
- Prior blood clot –there is increased chance of a
second clot if one has had a previous blood clot
Are blood clots dangerous?
Most definitely. Any time you have one of the above symptoms; one should go and see a doctor. Blood clots in veins have a high tendency to break off and migrate to the lungs where they can cause serious problem’s including death.
How can blood clots in veins be detected?
Your physician will first examine you and order the most appropriate tests. The first test to detect blood clots in all cases is an ultrasound.
Doppler ultrasound is a painless test that takes a few minutes and can easily detect the presence of blood clots in arm and leg veins. However, if blood clots are located in the chest, abdomen or pelvis, Ultrasound is not good enough.
MRI: This non invasive test is also excellent for evaluating presence of blood clots. The test does not use radiation but is slightly more expensive. It is useful for detection of blood clots almost anywhere in the body, but is not the first test of choice.
Venogram: In the old days Venogram was used to look for blood clots. However this test is rarely used to day because of availability of US and MRI. Venogram requires use of a dye and radiation.
CT scan: The newer CT scans can easily identify presence of clots in the lungs. However, CT scans are not routinely used to detect blood clots as the initial test. CT scan requires exposure to radiation and use of an iodinated dye.
Friday, June 5, 2009
blood clots: part 2
What are veins?
Veins are thin walled vessels which play a role in removing all deoxygenated blood from the tissues and take it back to the lungs for oxygenation. They are numerous veins all over the body; the largest vein is called the inferior vena cava.
Can blood clots occur in veins?
Most definitely, blood clots are far more common in veins than arteries. When clots occur in veins they have a tendency to break off and move to the lungs where they can compromise breathing. Clots can occur in both the arm and leg veins.
Which veins are more prone to blood clots?
The majority of blood clots occur in veins of the leg but they can occur in any vein in the body.
Which blood clots are of importance?
Blood clots can occur in both superficial and deep veins. Only blood clots in deep veins are of concern. Blood clots in superficial veins do not need any treatment except for an aspirin.
What happens when blood clots migrate to lungs?
The lungs are important for gas exchange. When blood clots move into the lungs, they can block blood vessels and impair oxygen transport. If the clots are large, one can have severe difficulty breathing and death is not uncommon.
Are blood clots in veins common?
In the United States, about 2 million people per year develop blood clots. Most of them are aged 40 years or older. Statistics reveal that at least 200,000 patients die each year from blood clots in their lung.
How do I know if I have blood clots?
It depends where the blood clot has formed. In most cases blood clots form in the legs, especially the calf area. You may have some of the following symptoms:
a. heaviness of leg
b. tenderness in calf area
c. swelling in calf area
d. warmth near the calf
e. at least 30% will not have any symptoms
Veins are thin walled vessels which play a role in removing all deoxygenated blood from the tissues and take it back to the lungs for oxygenation. They are numerous veins all over the body; the largest vein is called the inferior vena cava.
Can blood clots occur in veins?
Most definitely, blood clots are far more common in veins than arteries. When clots occur in veins they have a tendency to break off and move to the lungs where they can compromise breathing. Clots can occur in both the arm and leg veins.
Which veins are more prone to blood clots?
The majority of blood clots occur in veins of the leg but they can occur in any vein in the body.
Which blood clots are of importance?
Blood clots can occur in both superficial and deep veins. Only blood clots in deep veins are of concern. Blood clots in superficial veins do not need any treatment except for an aspirin.
What happens when blood clots migrate to lungs?
The lungs are important for gas exchange. When blood clots move into the lungs, they can block blood vessels and impair oxygen transport. If the clots are large, one can have severe difficulty breathing and death is not uncommon.
Are blood clots in veins common?
In the United States, about 2 million people per year develop blood clots. Most of them are aged 40 years or older. Statistics reveal that at least 200,000 patients die each year from blood clots in their lung.
How do I know if I have blood clots?
It depends where the blood clot has formed. In most cases blood clots form in the legs, especially the calf area. You may have some of the following symptoms:
a. heaviness of leg
b. tenderness in calf area
c. swelling in calf area
d. warmth near the calf
e. at least 30% will not have any symptoms
Blood clots 101
In a healthy human there is a delicate balance between factors that cause blood clots to form and factors that dissolve blood clots. Blood clots form all the time in blood vessels, but the body immediately responds by breaking them up. However, sometimes, the body’s defense mechanisms fail and blood clots form. Blood clots when they initially form look like red jelly. Blood clots are useful because they can help stop bleeding. However, in some cases, blood clots continue to form and can break off can create problems
Where do blood clots generally occur?
Blood clots can occur in arteries and veins of any size. Veins usually take blood back to the heart. Thus, when a blood clot occurs in a vein blood starts to pool and collect in the vessel. The most obvious sign of a blood clot in the leg vein is swelling, pain, and discoloration. Blood clots in small veins like in the feet or hands are not important. However, when blood clots occur in large veins, they are important. These blood clots can break off, go to the lung, and make breathing difficult.
What are arteries?
Arteries are muscular blood vessels which take blood from the heart and supply oxygen to the body. When a blood clot forms in an artery, the body part does not get oxygen. Hence the leg goes blue, feels cold and is painful. Blood clots commonly block off arteries in the leg vessels near the groin.
Can clots occur in arteries?
Yes, blood clots can and do occur in arteries. Since arteries supply oxygen to the body, blood clots formation is usually more serious. Blood clots can deprive the hand or leg of oxygenated blood. This is what happens in a stroke or a heart attack. Blood clots generally tend to occur in arteries that supply the brain, heart, legs, or kidneys. Blood clots formed in leg arteries generally require urgent surgery
Where do blood clots generally occur?
Blood clots can occur in arteries and veins of any size. Veins usually take blood back to the heart. Thus, when a blood clot occurs in a vein blood starts to pool and collect in the vessel. The most obvious sign of a blood clot in the leg vein is swelling, pain, and discoloration. Blood clots in small veins like in the feet or hands are not important. However, when blood clots occur in large veins, they are important. These blood clots can break off, go to the lung, and make breathing difficult.
What are arteries?
Arteries are muscular blood vessels which take blood from the heart and supply oxygen to the body. When a blood clot forms in an artery, the body part does not get oxygen. Hence the leg goes blue, feels cold and is painful. Blood clots commonly block off arteries in the leg vessels near the groin.
Can clots occur in arteries?
Yes, blood clots can and do occur in arteries. Since arteries supply oxygen to the body, blood clots formation is usually more serious. Blood clots can deprive the hand or leg of oxygenated blood. This is what happens in a stroke or a heart attack. Blood clots generally tend to occur in arteries that supply the brain, heart, legs, or kidneys. Blood clots formed in leg arteries generally require urgent surgery
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
