Blood Clotting

Blood clotting occurs due to a complex process of coagulation that heals a bleeding blood vessel with at clot. Blood platelets and plasma protein fibrinogen are vital to the blood clotting process. People can suffer from various blood clotting disorders such as formation of blood clots due to excessive blood clotting. The PT or Prothrombin Time Blood Test is done before any surgery to check a patient's bleeding and clotting factors. PTT or Partial Thromboplastin Time Blood Test checks for a clotting disorder.

Blood clots

Blood clots can form in the heart or legs or brain or even in the lungs. These clots can travel through the blood vessels and hamper the flow of blood. This can lead to damage in the organs. Blood clot in the veins of the arm or legs can lead to DVT or Deep Venous Thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism is a condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs. Blood clots during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or pre eclampsia.

Excessive bleeding

Bleeding disorders can occur due to severe liver disease. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder. Bleeding disorders can also be a side effect of medicines.

Afibrinogenemia

Afibrinogenemia is an inherited blood disorder that is caused due to a recessive gene. Congenital Afibrinogenemia is caused due to deficiency of fibrinogen protein that is essential for blood clotting. Afibrinogenemia is tested by checking for PT (Prothrombin time), blood clotting time, fibrinogen level and bleeding time.

Symptoms of afibrinogenemia include abnormal bleeding in Gastrointestinal tract, nose, joints and bruises. Intracranial bleeding (bleeding in the brain) is a situation that can be fatal to the patient. A person suffering from Afibrinogenemia can be given blood plasma before any surgery or to treat excessive bleeding situations. Care should be taken to ensure that the patient is vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Such patients are likely to from blood clots (thrombosis).

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for blood clotting and bone metabolism. The vitamin exists in two forms: vitamin K1, known as phylloquinone and vitamin K2, menaquinone. Vitamin K1 is found primarily in leafy green vegetables, while vitamin K2 , which is synthesized by bacteria in the intestines and found in animal products and fermented foods.

The main function of vitamin K is to activate clotting factors in the blood, which help to stop bleeding when there is injury or damage to blood vessels. Without vitamin K, the body would be unable to form blood clots, which could lead to uncontrolled bleeding and hemorrhage. In addition to its role in blood clotting, vitamin K is also important for bone health. It helps to activate a protein called osteocalcin, which is involved in bone mineralization and the formation of new bone tissue which can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

In addition, vitamin K may play a role in cardiovascular health by helping to prevent the calcification of arteries and reducing the risk of heart disease. Deficiency of vitamin K is rare, but can occur in people with liver disease, malabsorption disorders, or who are taking certain medications. Symptoms of deficiency can include easy bruising, excessive bleeding, and bleeding gums.

Vitamin K helps the blood to clot to enable cuts and scrapes to stop bleeding. Persons suffering from liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis are at risk of Vitamin K deficiency. Symptoms of Vitamin K insufficiency include heavy bleeding, anemia, bleeding gums and even osteoporosis. Low levels of Vitamin K do not allow sufficient use of calcium in bones. This vitamin is naturally found in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and soya beans. Food sources of vitamin K include leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, as well as other green vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts and asparagus. Vitamin K2 can be found in animal products, such as eggs, meat, and cheese, as well as fermented foods, such as natto and sauerkraut.