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– Maybe if the awareness of this disease was greater, the masseur would know what a symptom of calf pain could be, and my daughter would still be alive – says Robert Skolimowski, father of Kamila, the youngest Polish Olympic gold medalist.
– Kamila was a pampered athlete, regularly undergoing medical examinations. Two days before her death, she complained of calf pain, so she used the services of a massage therapist who massaged her calf and the pain passed. Unfortunately, there was also a thrombus towards the heart, which led to a pulmonary embolism, says her father. Kamila Skolimowska, Olympic hammer thrower from Sydney, died on February 18, 2009 at the age of 26. The cause of death was pulmonary embolism.
Deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (from Latin. deep thrombophlebitis) in 50 percent cases are asymptomatic and can lead to death in seconds, which is why doctors call it the “silent killer”. Its most dangerous complication is pulmonary embolism. According to prof. Witold Tomkowski, head of the Intensive Pneumology and Cardiology Department at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw, in Poland the number of deaths caused by venous thromboembolism is 35-40 thousand. – Unfortunately, 70 percent. those who died due to pulmonary embolism had not been diagnosed earlier, she emphasizes.
Pulmonary embolism
As a result of the disease, blood clots begin to form and fill the veins completely or partially, blocking the blood flow. They arise as a result of vessel damage, slow blood flow or are the result of its increased clotting tendency. The thrombus sticks to the vessel wall, but sometimes breaks off and travels with the bloodstream towards the heart and then towards the pulmonary artery. When it blocks it, it causes cardiovascular and respiratory arrest and death. Disorders of blood flow caused by immobilization, e.g. after surgery, especially orthopedic or oncological surgery, damage to blood vessels, e.g. during trauma and procedures, as well as excessive coagulation associated with neoplastic disease, promote the development of the disease. Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, pregnancy, hormonal contraception, a sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, and long air travel.
Diagnosis of venous thrombosis
It is estimated that in Poland about 60 people suffer from deep vein thrombosis annually. people. The disease is difficult to recognize. The correct diagnosis is made in Poland 30-40 times less often than in Western European countries. The disease in about 50 percent. cases develop asymptomatically, but even if symptoms do occur, patients are not diagnosed and treated due to insufficient knowledge of the disease among doctors. According to prof. Tomkowski, each doctor should be able to refer the patient to an ultrasound examination of the veins. In Poland, the patient first goes to the family doctor, who sends him to a vascular surgeon or angiologist, who only refers him for an examination, which takes several weeks.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis
The “silent killer” may manifest as an increased circumference of the affected leg. The difference in circumference between the healthy and diseased limbs is greater than 3 cm. In addition, the diseased leg is warmer and the veins are swollen.
The patient feels pain in the calf when the foot is bent. Sometimes there is redness and discoloration of the skin. These symptoms are often ignored. – Meanwhile, deep vein thrombosis is the cause of 90 percent. cases of pulmonary embolism – says prof. Tomkowski. The most common symptoms of embolism are dyspnea, which may be paroxysmal for no apparent reason, chest pains, and rapid breathing. Cough, hemoptysis, rales, fever, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and fainting occur less frequently. However – as Professor Tomkowski emphasizes – only 45% of blockages are detected during the patient’s lifetime.
- If you have a problem with blood clots, take care of their faster breakdown by using Nattokinase + K2 – Doctor Life dietary supplement.
Thrombosis prophylaxis
The prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is fighting obesity and increasing physical activity. To prevent these diseases, the operated patients are given anticoagulants, and after the surgery they are forced to move early. In people with moderate and high risk of thrombosis, prophylactic anticoagulants are used, as well as special stockings and treatments with the use of special devices that tighten the muscles of the legs, exercise the feet or compress the lower limbs pneumatically. Oral agents, dabigatran and rivaroxaban, have been on the market for over a year, and they work effectively and are safer and more convenient to use than old drugs such as warfarin.
To reduce the risk of blood clots, try Hemp Seed Coffee, which has blood pressure and cholesterol lowering properties. It can also be used to prevent a heart attack. In the prevention of thrombosis, you can also use ecological birch sap from Polish forests.
Risk of stroke and limb amputation
Deep vein thrombosis also increases the risk of limb amputation and can sometimes lead to a stroke. Music critic Bogusław Kaczyński suffered such a stroke. – Suddenly I saw two televisions. Fortunately, my assistant arrived 15 minutes earlier than usual. Apparently, all the lights on the way were green and she was led through Warsaw like an angel. I opened her door and only managed to say: call an ambulance – recalls Kaczyński.
However – as emphasized by professor Tomkowski, president of the Polish Foundation for Fighting Thrombosis “Thrombosis” – the ambulance will not always be on time, especially as 50 percent in cases, the disease is asymptomatic. Therefore, in December 2010, he established an anti-thrombosis coalition. Its goal is to reduce the mortality and incidence of complications related to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, collectively known as venous thromboembolism. The coalition is also trying to facilitate access to the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, and to increase the awareness of the dangers of this disease in the society.
Venous thrombosis – a disease of the future? – read more
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