Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
On weekend mornings, the sun gently pours into the living room of the Zhang family. Zhang Yi was about to go out for a morning run, when he suddenly heard an exclamation from the kitchen. He hurriedly ran over and found his mother, Zhang's mother, standing in front of the sink, looking at his right hand with a panicked expression.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Zhang Yi asked with concern.
Mother Zhang raised her head, her eyes full of confusion and worry: "Xiaoyi, look at my hands... How did it suddenly become like this?"
Zhang Yi looked closely at her mother's right hand and found that the skin on the back of her hand was abnormally blue-purple and appeared to be somewhat swollen. What is even more worrying is that her fingers are a little cold, and when touched, they are noticeably colder than her left hand.
"Mom, do you feel numb or tingling in your hands?" Zhang Yi asked, a faint trace of uneasiness rose in his heart.
Zhang's mother nodded: "Yes, last night I started to feel that something was wrong with my right hand, like a needle prick." I thought it was the wrong sleeping position, but I didn't expect to wake up like this today. "
Zhang Yi's brows tightened, and he remembered an article he had read in a medical journal a few days ago, which was about the relationship between hand symptoms and blood clots. "Mom, I think we'd better go to the hospital for a check-up. This can be a sign of a blood clot. "
Zhang's mother was a little surprised: "Blood clot? No, I'm usually in good health. "
Zhang Yi comforted: "Don't worry, let's go to the hospital for a check-up." Early detection and early treatment are always good. "
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In this way, Zhang Yi canceled the morning run plan and drove his mother to the central hospital. While waiting in the emergency room, Zhang Yi noticed that her mother's right hand seemed to be more symptomatic, the blue and purple on the back of her hand were more intense, and she began to rub her right hand from time to time, as if to relieve the discomfort.
Finally, when it was their turn to see a doctor, the doctor on duty, Dr. Wang, carefully inquired about Zhang's mother's symptoms and conducted a preliminary examination.
"Ms. Zhang, based on your symptoms, I suspect you may have deep vein thrombosis. We need further tests to confirm the diagnosis. Dr. Wang said.
Zhang's mother was a little flustered: "Doctor, is the deep vein thrombosis very serious?" Will my life be in danger?"
Dr. Wang comforted: "Don't worry, although deep vein thrombosis needs to be taken seriously, if it is detected and treated in time, the prognosis is usually very good. It's lucky that your symptoms were detected in time. "
Next, Zhang's mother underwent a series of tests, including blood tests, ultrasounds, etc. While waiting for the results, Zhang Yi couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Wang, can you tell us about thrombosis?" In particular, the relationship between hand symptoms and blood clots. "
Dr. Wang nodded, "Of course." A thrombus is a solid or semi-solid substance formed by abnormal clotting of blood within a blood vessel. Deep vein thrombosis usually occurs in the deep veins of the lower extremities, but it can also occur in the upper extremities. When a blood clot forms, it can block the normal flow of blood, leading to a variety of symptoms. "
"What are the symptoms in the hand that might indicate a blood clot?" Zhang Yi asked.
Dr Wong explains, "There are three possible signs of blood clots in the hand:
1. Change in skin color: In your mother's case, the skin on your hands may appear purple or pale. This is caused by obstruction of blood circulation.
2. Pain or discomfort: You may feel a constant pain, numbness, or tingling sensation. Sometimes it is accompanied by a burning sensation.
3. Swelling: Significant swelling may occur in the affected hand or arm.
In addition, if you notice that the temperature of your hands is significantly lower than other parts, you should also be vigilant. "
Zhang's mother looked at her hand thoughtfully: "I see." Doctor, how does a blood clot form?"
Dr. Wang patiently explains, "The formation of blood clots is usually related to the following factors:
1. Slow blood flow: Holding the same position for long periods of time, such as long trips or being bedridden, can cause blood flow to slow down.
2. Damage to the blood vessel wall: Surgery, trauma or certain diseases can damage the blood vessel wall and increase the risk of thrombosis.
3. Blood clotting: Certain diseases, medications, or genetic factors may increase the propensity of blood to clot.
4. Age: As we age, the risk of blood clots increases.
5. Obesity: Being overweight can increase venous pressure and increase the risk of blood clots.
6. Smoking: Smoking can damage the lining of blood vessels and increase the likelihood of thrombosis.
7. Certain diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, etc., can also increase the risk of blood clots. "
Zhang Yi suddenly remembered something: "By the way, my mother just had knee replacement surgery some time ago, could this be one of the reasons?"
Dr. Wang nodded, "Very likely." It is true that there is a high risk of thrombosis after surgery, especially orthopedic surgery. Your mother's condition may be related to the surgery, but we still need to wait for the results of the tests to confirm. "
Just then, the nurse brought the test results. After Dr. Wang looked at it carefully, his expression became serious: "Ms. Zhang, the results of the examination show that you do have deep vein thrombosis in your upper limbs. Fortunately, we were able to start treatment right away. "
Zhang's mother was a little nervous: "That... How can I treat it?"
Dr Wong explains, "We have the following main types of treatment:
1. Anticoagulation: This is the most common method used to prevent further enlargement of blood clots and the formation of new blood clots. Commonly used medications include heparin and warfarin.
2. Thrombolytic therapy: In some cases, we may use thrombolytic drugs to dissolve blood clots that have already formed. However, this approach is risky and needs to be carefully considered.
3. Catheter intervention: direct delivery of drugs to the thrombus site through the catheter, or mechanical removal of the thrombus.
4. Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be needed to remove the blood clot.
In addition to medication, we will also recommend some lifestyle modifications, such as increasing exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. "
Zhang Yi asked, "Doctor, is there any good way to prevent blood clots?"
Dr Wong replied, "The main ways to prevent blood clots include:
1. Stay active: Avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time, especially when traveling long distances or staying in bed.
2. Control your weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of blood clots.
3. Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, and quitting smoking can be beneficial to your health.
4. Exercise regularly: Moderate exercise can boost blood circulation.
5. Eat a healthy diet: Eat more fruits and vegetables and less high-fat foods.
6. Control chronic diseases: such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
7. Postoperative prophylaxis: In the case of your mother, prophylactic anticoagulation should be given as directed after surgery. "
After detailed explanations and discussions, Zhang's mother began to receive treatment. In the weeks that followed, her symptoms gradually improved. A follow-up examination a month later showed that the blood clot had shrunk significantly.
This experience made the Zhang family deeply realize the importance of paying attention to the changes in the body. Zhang Yi also began to pay more attention to her health, often reminding her family and friends of the early symptoms of blood clots.
When I walked out of the hospital, the sun was still shining. Zhang's mother looked at her hands that had returned to normal, and said with emotion: "I really didn't expect that hands can also become a healthy 'barometer'."
Zhang Yi smiled and said: "Yes, we will have to 'watch hands' more in the future." But don't forget, prevention is the best cure. "
Mother and son looked at each other and smiled, and walked to the parking lot in the warm sunshine. This experience not only increased their medical knowledge, but also made them understand the value of health.