Blood Clot in Brain: Tests to Detect Clots, Symptoms, Causes

Blood clotting is the solidification of flowing blood which is also called thrombosis. When the blood clots, it forms a gel-like structure in our veins or arteries. Blood clotting may occur normally but it poses serious health hazards when clots fail to dissolve on their own. Blood clots may be static or move throughout the body and the movable clots are more menacing to your health. 

Blood clotting occurs in different parts of your body and the treatment depends on where the blood clot is formed and the damage caused. There are several routine and specialized investigations available to screen about clotting disorders and there etiology .Get assured tests done in a reliable and efficient pathology lab and prevent the potentially life-threatening conditions. 

Let’s take you through a detailed analysis of blood clots diagnosis in the brain, causes, symptoms, and treatment. 

Tests Conducted to Diagnose Blood Clots 

The symptoms of blood clotting may resemble other health concerns. Here are the tests performed to validate blood clots in the brain:

1. To figure out the blood clots in the brain, the foremost practice is blood tests. It helps assess the blood’s clotting ability and the potential risks involved. 
2. Ultrasound is effective to rule out blood coagulation by providing a clear view of veins and blood flow. 
3. Computed Tomography (CT) scan is another test performed that uses x-rays to diagnose the blood clots, visualizing a clear picture of the brain. 
4. Analyzing the blood vessels, the Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) test confirms the presence of the clots in your brain.

Symptoms of Blood Clotting in the Brain 

To suspect blood clotting in the brain or any risk of suffering, here are listed some of the symptoms:

1. Blurry Vision 

Brain stroke may trigger the visions first and blurred vision which can be an early indication. In this condition, the person suffers double vision;  he/she sees two images of the same object. 

2. Slurred Speech 

Brain blood clotting impacts the ability to speak. The patient observes slurred speech or difficulty in speaking clearly.

3. Numbness 

Long-term numbness on any side of the face is another symptom of an impending brain stroke. You don’t feel anything on either side of your face. 

4. Acute Paralysis 

Brain stroke triggers partial body paralysis on either side of the body. Usually, paralysis causes numbness of the limbs and the face. 

5. Distorted Gait Pattern

Brain stroke impedes your senses, resulting in walking difficulty. Causing imbalance or disturbed coordination of arms and legs, it gives a feeling of dizziness. 

6. Visual Agnosia 

Some conditions of brain stroke damage the pathways within the brain that cause visual agnosia; an ability to identify objects or persons. 

7. Headache 

This is another common symptom of blood clotting in the brain. If you suffer from a severe headache with vomiting or dizziness, you must consult a doctor to ascertain if you have a brain stroke or not.  

Causes of Blood Clots in Brain 

Blood clotting in the brain is a severe issue and you must be aware of the underlying causes which are listed below: 

1. Embolism 

When the coagulated blood flows to the different parts of the body and creates a blockage in the blood vessel leading to the brain, it causes cerebral embolism. Moreover, before reaching the brain, the blood clots may damage other parts of your body. 

2. Stiffness of the Arteries 

Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries increases the chances of blood clotting in the brain. When the blood is pumped through the arteries, there are higher chances of its rupture which increase the risk of blood clots. 

3. Infection  

Infection in any part of the body may lead to inflammation that impedes the blood flow through the veins or arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots. 

4. Head Injuries 

Severe head injuries rupture the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in the coagulation of blood around the protective tissues and forming clots called Hematoma. 

5. Genetic Factors 

Several genetic factors are also responsible for abnormal clotting and subsequent serious life threatening conditions , such individuals may develop clots without any known cause in their lifetime once or twice. 

How is Blood Clotting Treated? 

The treatment of blood clotting, especially Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVTs) includes the prevention of expansion or loose breakage of blood clots. Its treatment mitigates the chances of the development of more blood clots in the future. 

Depending on the level of blood clotting, the health professionals may recommend the following treatment methods: 

1. Medications 

The blood clotting may be treated using blood thinners (anticoagulants) that help in preventing the clot formation. In some cases, blood clotting can be life-threatening which is reduced using the drugs called thrombolytics. These are helpful in dissolving the already formed clots. 

2. Surgery 

Surgical treatment of the blood clots involves the insertion of catheters (a long tube) into the blood clot. These tubes directly eliminate the clots by dissolving them in the bloodstream. 

3. Stents 

Doctors may insert stents in the brain to expand and grab the blood clot in the vessel. This technique immediately pulls out the stents and those stents are known as retrievable stents. 

4. Vena Cava Filters 

Certain medical conditions may not allow your body to take up anticoagulants, therefore, a filter is inserted into the largest vein in your body (inferior vena cava). It seizes the blood clots before they travel to other parts of your body. 

Summing Up 

Blood clotting is a severe health condition that may affect people of all ages. When the blood clotting worsens, it may be fatal. If you are diagnosed with blood clotting in any part of your brain, get the tests done at Lupin Diagnostics Centre. If you are searching for a pathology lab near me, Lupin Diagnostics houses a team of professionals who give you accurate test results. So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to them for your top-notch diagnosis.