In a piece for Bakersfield.com, hospital volunteer Bob Jones writes about his harrowing experience with deep-vein thrombosis. Jones’ DVT — a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the larger, deeper veins – developed into pulmonary embolism when clots traveled to his lungs and nearly killed him.
Jones said his symptoms began with sudden shortness of breath, pain and tightness in his chest, and excessive fatigue and sweating. He also experienced painful swelling in his left leg and both sides of my upper torso.
He went to the emergency room after awakening to tightness in his leg, chills and what he describes as the worst nausea he’d ever felt.
In the hospital, he learned of the blood clots in his lungs. He was treated with “a very dangerous and powerful blood thinner” to break up the clots.
According to Jones, his risk factors for DVT were his age (60), obesity, lack of activity and exercise, and possible hereditary factors. But he points out that there are many other risk factors, and urges readers to look into them.
“This little bit of knowledge may someday save your life,” he writes.
The Mayo Clinic identifies a number of additional risk factors for blood clots, including atherosclerosis, surgery, and pregnancy.
According to the Mayo Clinic, use of oral contraceptives is also a risk factor for developing blood clots.
But while most birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots, some carry a demonstrably higher risk. Several studies show that Beyaz, Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella and other contraceptives that contain the synthetic hormone drospirenone increase the risk of potentially fatal blood clots more than other types of birth control pills on the market.
Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Yaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries.
See the piece here: https://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community/x1942474127/We-dont-hear-much-about-deep-vein-thrombosis-but-wed-better-listen
