2007-04-29 06:17:47 · 7 answers · asked by k 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
In medicine, an embolism occurs when an object (the embolus, plural emboli) migrates from one part of the body (through circulation) and cause(s) a blockage (occlusion) of a blood vessel in another part of the body.
This can be contrasted with a "thrombus" which is the formation of a clot within a blood vessel, rather than being carried from somewhere else.
Blood clots form the most common embolic material by far: other possible embolic materials include fat globules (a fat embolism), air bubbles (an air embolism), talc embolism (often following drug abuse), septic emboli (containing pus and bacteria), or amniotic fluid.
Emboli often have more serious consequences when they occur in the so-called "end-circulation": areas of the body that have no redundant blood supply, such as the brain, heart, and lungs.
2007-04-29 06:20:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pulmonary emboli usually originate from clots in the deep veins in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis may develop with prolonged bed rest or keeping your legs in the same position for a prolonged period of time which is why it is recommended that you stop driving and walk around on extended trips or move about in a plane. A clot in a calf may hurt or swell—get this treated with blood thinners by a physician. Untreated pieces of the clot may break off and be carried by the blood stream into the pulmonary artery and then the lungs blocking and potentially killing areas of the lungs and often is confused with a heart attack. Quick treatment is called for as fatalities do occur..
2007-04-30 08:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by DrB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An embolism is a blockage in a vein (of some substance). Sometimes there is no reason or rhyme to an embolism but treatment is very important because it is a dangerous condition.
Here is a good link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embolism
2007-04-29 13:23:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a blood clot.
You can get it from a number of things.
Usually, it's a hypercoaguable state, meaning your body is releasing chemicals that are clotting, and the clots break off and get pushed through the veins into the lungs. In the lungs, a clot can clog a bronchiole and cause pain and difficulty breathing.
It can be removed surgically or busted up with medicines.
2007-04-29 13:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by CYP450 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had one. It was a clot in my lower leg and traveled to my left lung. Terrible pain and couldn't breathe, fast trip to emergency and on oxygen..Was on blood thinner. warfarin, for six months. There is a 33% fatality with this. I was told that it was a result of inflammation, usually from disease in the body. In my case a cancer. The thing to watch for is a swelling in your leg, or arm with some soreness, but not always. If you notice any unevenness, see your Dr. right away. Best wishes
2007-04-29 13:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by tylernmi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An embolism is a blood clot. It could have started there from trauma, disease, etc., or it could have migrated there from elsewheres in the body.
2007-04-29 13:20:24 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a blood clot in the lung,very serious as it can break up and go to the heart
2007-04-29 13:21:06 · answer #7 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋