Disseminated intravascular coagulation: symptoms, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition where blood clots occur in the small blood vessels of the body. These blood clots can reduce or block the flow of blood through the blood vessels, which can damage organs in the body.

In DIC, the increase in clotting uses platelets and clotting factors in the blood. Platelets are fragments of blood cells that attach to small cuts in the walls of blood vessels and stop bleeding. Clotting factors are proteins required for normal blood clotting.

With less platelets and clotting factors in the blood, serious bleeding can occur. DIC is a condition that can cause internal and external bleeding.

Internal bleeding occurs on the inside of the body. External bleeding occurs under or from the skin or mucosa. (The mucosa is the tissue that lines several organs and body cavities, such as the nose and mouth.)

How common is this condition?

DIC is a disease that can occur in patients of any age. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a condition that can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Bleeding, sometimes from several locations on the body, is one of the symptoms of DIC. Quoted from Healthline, bleeding from mucosal tissue (in the mouth and nose) as well as bleeding from other external areas can occur. Additionally, DIC can cause internal bleeding.

Other symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC are:

• Blood clots
• Reduced blood pressure
• Bruising easily
• Bleeding in the rectum or vagina
• Red spots on the skin surface (petechiae)

If you have cancer, DIC generally starts slowly, and blood clots are more common than excess bleeding.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

If the protein used in the normal blood clotting process becomes too active, DIC can occur.

Quoted from the US Department of Health and Human Services website, this condition develops in two stages.

In the early stages, overactive clotting causes blood to clot throughout the blood vessels. Clots can reduce or block blood flow, damaging organs.

DIC is a condition in which overactive clotting depletes platelets and proteins that help blood clot normally. Without these platelets and clotting factors, DIC is a condition that can cause bleeding to occur just under the skin, in the nose or mouth, or deep in the body.

Infections, severe trauma (such as brain injury), inflammation, surgery and cancer are known to contribute to this condition.

Some of the rarer causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation are:

• Very low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Rattlesnake bite
• Pancreatitis
• Burns
• Complications during pregnancy

You can also get DIC if you go into shock.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Risk factors for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are:

• Never had surgery
• Have given birth
• Have had a miscarriage
• Have had a blood transfusion
• Have received anesthesia
• Have had sepsis or a blood infection due to fungi or bacteria
• Have had several types of cancer, especially leukemia
• Have had serious tissue damage such as head injury, burns or trauma
• Have had liver disease.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

DIC is a condition that can be identified through several tests related to the level of platelets, clotting factors and other blood components. But there is no standard procedure. Here are some tests that can be done if your doctor suspects DIC.

• fibrin degradation product
• general check up
• partial thromboplastin time
• D-dimer test
• serum fibrinogen
• prothrombin time

What are the treatments for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Treatment for DIC depends on the cause of the condition. Determination and treatment of causes is the ultimate goal. To treat clotting problems, you may be given an anticoagulant called heparin to reduce and prevent clotting.

However, heparin may not be given if you have a severe platelet deficiency or bleed excessively.

People with acute DIC require hospitalization, often in an intensive care unit (ICU), where treatment aims to correct the problem causing DIC and maintain organ function.

Supporting care can include:

• Plasma transfusion to replace blood clotting factors if bleeding is heavy.
• Blood thinner medication (heparin) to prevent blood clots if a large amount of blood clots.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC):

If you have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), ask your doctor how often you should have follow-up care and blood tests. Blood tests can help see how well your blood is clotting.

You may also need blood thinners to prevent blood clots or keep blood clots from enlarging. If you are taking blood thinners, tell your medical team.

Blood thinners can thin your blood too much and cause bleeding. A lot of bleeding after a fall, injury, easy bruising or bleeding can indicate that your blood is too runny.

In addition, talk to your doctor before using over-the-counter medications or products, such as vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies. Some of these products may also affect blood clotting and bleeding.

For example, aspirin and ibuprofen can thin your blood too much. This can increase the risk of bleeding.

If you need surgery, your doctor can adjust the amount of medicine you take before, during and after surgery to prevent bleeding. This procedure can be performed for dental surgery, but is rarely performed.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.