Thrombosis cases have shown a four-fold increase in the last 10 years

Thrombosis cases have shown a four-fold increase in the last 10 years

The condition is a leading cause of disability worldwide

New Delhi, 02 November 2017: Thrombosis is a condition that affects 1 in 1000 people in India. However, only 5% of those with the condition are aware of it, indicate estimates. Thrombosis is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but not many people are aware of how fatal it can be to life. Thrombosis-related complications have increased three- to four-fold in the last 10 years in the country. Studies also indicate that women who give birth through the cesarean route are more prone to venous blood clot.

Thrombosis is the process of a blood clot forming in a blood vessel. This can block or obstruct blood flow in the affected area, as well as cause serious complications if the clot moves to a crucial part of the circulatory system, such as the brain or the lungs. It can be classified as venous or arterial thrombosis, depending on where the thrombus presents in the body.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Venous thrombosis occurs in the veins and is categorized further according to where it is located. Arterial thrombosis, due to its association with at heroma rupture, occurs in the arteries. The blood stasis caused by a trial fibrillation may also cause this type of thrombosis. Some causes for stroke include ischemia, hemorrhage, and embolus in the brain. Stroke due to a blood clot in the brain usually builds gradually around an atherosclerotic plaque. A thrombus in the coronary artery may also cause a myocardial infarction and is associated with ischemia. The reduced oxygen supply to the heart cells, due to the blockage, results in cell death and myocardial infarction. The three main causes of thrombosis include hypercoagulability, injury to the endothelial cells of the blood vessel wall, and abnormal blood flow.”

The most common complication of this condition is blockage of the venous artery. In certain cases, the blood clot may break free and travel around the body. This is known as embolization and obstructs the blood flow to essential organs.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “While there is no definitive mechanism to identify those asymptomatic affected individuals who are destined to develop a thrombosis, prophylactic measures should be utilized in asymptomatic individuals in situations that place them at increased risk for thrombosis. Some examples include pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, surgery/trauma, dehydration, sepsis, and congestive heart failure. Once a patient is diagnosed with thrombosis, anticoagulants are used to decrease the ability of the blood to clot. The commonly used anticoagulants include unfractionated heparin (UFH); low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin, and Fondaparinux.”

Some tips for managing thrombosis include the following.

• Maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly. Walking, swimming and cycling are all great forms of exercise.
• Maintain a healthy weight with exercise as well as a healthy diet.
• Quit smoking right away.
• Report any family or personal history of blood-clotting problems to your doctor.
• Discuss alternatives to birth control pills or hormone-replacement therapy with your doctor.

Iron deficiency anemia one of the top causes of disability in India

Iron deficiency anemia one of the top causes of disability in India • Iron needs are higher in women than in men • Many people are unaware of the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
New Delhi, 08 September 2017: As per recent reports, about 48% women in India in the age group 15 to 49 years have hemoglobin concentrations lower than 120g/L (12g/dL) and are diagnosed with anemia. Analysis also show that iron-deficiency anemia has remained the top cause of disability in India for 10 years now. The IMA indicates that anemia can have serious consequences such as fetal deaths, abnormalities, pre-term and underweight babies in pregnant women. Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status. Hemoglobin, a pigment present in red blood cells, binds oxygen and delivers it to various cells in the body. Menstrual bleeding causes loss of iron in women of reproductive age, and thus, iron needs are higher in women than in men. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and occurs when the body doesn’t have enough of this mineral. In the absence of enough iron in the blood stream, the rest of your body cannot get the amount of oxygen it needs. What exacerbates this condition is that many people are unaware that they have iron deficiency anemia. At times, one may experience the symptoms for years without knowing what they are due to. A poor diet or certain intestinal diseases that affect iron absorption can also lead to this condition. This deficiency is usually treated with iron supplements or changes to diet.” Some of the symptoms of moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia include general fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, cravings for things such as dirt, a tingling or crawling feeling in the legs, soreness or swelling in the tongue, cold hands and feet, fast or irregular heartbeat, brittle nails, and headaches. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Mostly, iron deficiency anemia is mild, and does not lead to any further complications, and can be corrected easily. However, if left untreated for a long time, it can cause other health problems. In pregnant women, this can lead to the birth of a premature or low-birth-weight baby.” Here are some tips to prevent anemia. • Eat foods rich in iron such as green and leafy vegetables, red meat, lentils, beans, and iron-fortified cereals and breads. • Include vitamin C-rich foods and drinks in your diet as it will help the body in absorbing iron. • Avoid drinking tea or coffee with meals, as this affects the absorption of iron. • Include enough sources of vitamin B12 and folic acid in your diet.