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What are the Different Types of Blood Clotting Disorders?

Lucinda Reynolds
Lucinda Reynolds

Different types of blood clotting disorders may be caused by various health problems or genetics. When an individual has a blood clot disorder, clots will form at inappropriate times or in inappropriate places in the body. These types of clots can be dangerous and sometimes fatal if not treated right away.

Blood clotting disorders may be caused by a process called disseminated intravascular coagulation. This type of clotting disorder can be caused by severe injuries or surgery. It can also be caused certain types of bacteria that enter the vein and release toxins into the blood vessels. Cancer cells have been known to cause this blood clot disorder.

Blot clot disorders cause clots to form throughout the body.
Blot clot disorders cause clots to form throughout the body.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a two-step process. The first step occurs as small blood clots develop in the blood vessels. As more and more blood clots form, specific clotting factors that control bleeding will be depleted. Once these clotting factors are diminished, excessive bleeding can occur.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is another type of blood clotting problem. This disorder occurs when an individual has abnormal proteins in the blood. This disorder has a tendency to produce blood clots in the arteries. Arterial blood clots are very dangerous because they can settle in a main artery leading to the heart, causing a heart attack.

Blood clots prevent the flow of blood in blood vessels.
Blood clots prevent the flow of blood in blood vessels.

There are other conditions that can produce problems with blood clotting. In some genetic disorders the body does not produce enough of a specific protein that controls blood clotting. In another type of genetic disorder, the body will produce too much of a blood clotting protein. Both of these genetic disorders place an individual at high risk for developing blood clots.

Thrombosis is the formation blood clots in blood vessels, including arteries or veins.
Thrombosis is the formation blood clots in blood vessels, including arteries or veins.

The symptoms of blood clotting disorders will vary depending upon the blood vessels that are blocked by clots. If the blood clot is in an arm or a leg, pain and swelling may occur. The skin may turn red and feel warm to the touch. If a blood clot ends up in the lungs, chest pain and shortness of breath may occur. These conditions need immediate medical attention.

Some blood clots can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal if not treated right away.
Some blood clots can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal if not treated right away.

If an individual has disseminated intravascular coagulation, he will usually exhibit symptoms of blood clotting and excessive bleeding. The skin and the whites of the eyes may turn yellow if the clot or bleeding occurs in the liver. Blood may appear in the urine and in the mouth as the gums start to bleed. The sudden onset of this type of disorder is life threatening and requires emergency medical treatment.

Discussion Comments

indigomoth

@pastanaga - PCOS already puts you at higher risk of a blood clot, even without going on extra hormones, so it is something you really don't want to mess around with.

Losing weight is the best way of countering the risks of that syndrome anyway and is a worthy goal.

A lot of people have incurable blood clotting disorders, while you have a chance to bring down your risk significantly.

I have PCOS as well, and since I've lost weight, I have found everything much better, skin, moods, and so on.

Plus I don't get anxious anymore at every little tingle or pain in my legs.

Good luck!

pastanaga

I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and I am overweight which is one of the factors in this hormonal disorder.

They wanted to put me on a particular kind of hormonal pill and they did for a while.

It was great, it cleared my skin up, controlled the emotional hormone surges I got, and so on.

But, unfortunately, it causes a higher risk of blood clot in the leg and in other places.

Then I moved and started going to walk in clinics to get my prescription. They never weighed me, they just gave me the pill.

Two years later a doctor did a proper check before giving me the prescription and told me I was risking my life by taking that pill because my weight was too much and I was at high risk of a blood clot.

Be careful with the pills a doctor will give you. I know if I wanted, I could go back on that pill tomorrow, just by finding a doctor who wouldn't bother to weigh me first.

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    • Blot clot disorders cause clots to form throughout the body.
      By: ras-slava
      Blot clot disorders cause clots to form throughout the body.
    • Blood clots prevent the flow of blood in blood vessels.
      By: stockshoppe
      Blood clots prevent the flow of blood in blood vessels.
    • Thrombosis is the formation blood clots in blood vessels, including arteries or veins.
      By: stockshoppe
      Thrombosis is the formation blood clots in blood vessels, including arteries or veins.
    • Some blood clots can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal if not treated right away.
      By: p6m5
      Some blood clots can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal if not treated right away.
    • If a blood clot ends up in the lungs, chest pain and shortness of breath may occur.
      By: nuiiko
      If a blood clot ends up in the lungs, chest pain and shortness of breath may occur.