Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 Varicose Veins When the walls of the blood vessels get weak, causing swelling in the veins, they become visible near the surface of the skin and are called varicose veins. Symptoms of this disease include bluish and purplish appearance of veins in a twisted cluster, itching, burning, throbbing, tingling, fatigue, night cramps, and brown discoloration near the ankles. This disorder can occur in the arms and other body parts but it mostly affects leg areas. Risk factors for varicose veins include age, family history of varicose veins, personal history of blood clots, injury in veins, hormone changes, extended sitting or standing at one place, obesity from excess pressure on the legs, and tight clotting. Varicose veins are associated with internal bleeding, blood clots, open sores, and infections. 3.9 Embolic Disease The particle that moves around in veins and arteries through blood vessels is known as embolus. These emboli are comprised of clotted blood cells. While circulating in the blood vessels, when the embolus are struck and lodge blood behind it, it leads to the death of the cells, which are starved of oxygen due to this obstructed circulation; this is known as an embolism. The different types of embolism are pulmonary embolism, brain embolism, retinal embolism, septic embolism, amniotic embolism, air embolism, and fat embolism. Etiology The major cause of embolism is the presence of high risk for the formation of blood clots. These risk factors include smoking, hypertension, heart disorders, atherosclerosis, and high cholesterol. Other causes include cancer, surgery, broken leg or hip, and genetic disorders that enhance the probability of the formation of blood clots. Sequelae Complications and sequelae of embolism are Raynaud's phenomenon, limb ischemia, renal infarction, gangrene, shock, failure of brain, pulses asymmetrical, aseptic necrosis of bone, retinal artery thrombosis, cerebrovascular accident, splenic infarction, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, and abdominal pain. 3.10 Shock Shock is the fatal condition in which the heart becomes incapable of pumping enough blood to meet the requirements of the body. A severe heart attack is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock. Different types of shock conditions are explained below. Achieve Page 62