Lung infections can cause terrible action because it can cause irritation and inflammation in the lung passages. Coughing at regular intervals is very tiring and thus becomes very important to deal with the symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Blood clots in the lungs can cause pulmonary embolism that travels through the lungs and infects the veins. It can be done through the legs or veins and on other parts of the body. Due to clotting in the body, it impedes blood flow which can sometimes lead to deep vein thrombosis. With so many lung diseases it can be confusing for you, let’s look at pulmonary embolism in detail.
What is pulmonary embolism?
To find out more about Pulmonary Embolism, we spoke to Dr. Arnab Trivedi, Senior Pulmonologist, BNK Hospital, Bangalore. He said that pulmonary embolism is basically an obstruction in any one of the arteries of the lungs. In most cases, this condition of the lungs is due to clotting which impedes blood flow to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism can actually lead to occasional life-threatening complications. But immediate treatment can actually reduce the risk of some of the complications that come with it. Taking some measures to protect the lungs may be effective considering the doctor’s recommendation.
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism
This lung disease can vary greatly from person to person due to symptoms. Pulmonary embolism can vary depending on the size of the clot, whether you have an underlying lung or heart condition, and so on. Some of the common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include:
Shortness of breath – This is a common symptom of most lung infections and diseases. Shortness of breath occurs when you get a workout it gets worse over time. This can be a big danger over time.
Chest pain- Chest pain during pulmonary embolism can really worry you because it looks like a small heart attack. The pain is often very sharp and can dull your breathing and cause related problems.
Cough – As with other lung infections, coughing may occur during pulmonary embolism but may be worse if you have a bloody sputum or bloody cough.
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Other signs and symptoms of this lung infection may include:
- Fever
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating too much
- Having a high fever
- Leg pain or swelling
- Clammy or pale skin
What causes pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary embolism can occur when blood clots and reaches your arteries. This can have a major effect on your lungs and can lead to other lung problems. Deep veins in your legs can also cause this blood to clot. Deep vein thrombosis is one of the leading causes of pulmonary embolism.
In some cases, there may be multiple clots that may be involved in pulmonary embolism. A portion of each lung may die or become blocked in an artery. It is also possible that in this condition a certain artery may die which may cause complications. This condition is called pulmonary infarction. Because of this, it becomes more difficult for the lungs to supply oxygen to the rest of the body.
It can also be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel.
- Air bubbles
- Part of the tumor
- Fat accumulates from the marrow of broken long bones
Risk factors for pulmonary embolism
Any condition that can cause blood clots in the vessel can increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. It may be affected due to the following reasons-
1. Family history – One of the factors that can affect pulmonary embolism is if someone in your family has had blood clots or pulmonary embolism in the past.
2. Heart Disease- Different types of heart disease can cause clotting. One of the most common causes of heart failure. It affects people over the age of 40.
3. Cancer – Some types of cancer such as brain, ovary, pancreas, colon, stomach, lung and kidney can increase the risk of blood clots. Treatment of infect cancer associated with chemotherapy may further increase the risk and consequently increase the risk of pulmonary embolism.
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4. Surgery- This can be one of the main causes of blood clots. Due to a medical disorder or condition, some people who are more prone to coagulation may have pulmonary embolism.
5. COVID-19 – This recent disease has caused catastrophe in the last two years and may increase the risk of lung problems, including pulmonary embolism. This can be one of the symptoms of severe covid infections.
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