Most of the time, blood clots are a good thing.

When you get injured, you need your blood to solidify and clump together at the site to help stop bleeding.

But sometimes clots crop up when they’re not needed, and that can spell trouble –  especially if they form in the deep veins near your muscles.

Read more: This “healthy” habit could actually triple your chances of a heart attack

“When blood clots form in this deeper system, they can be painful and very dangerous,” says Luis Navarro, MD and founder of the Vein Treatment Center in New York City. 

This kind of clot is called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. DVTs are like roadblocks on your blood highway – they cause traffic jams in your circulation and prevent the blood flow that keeps your system up and running.

Things can get even more serious if a DVT breaks away from its original spot and travels to your lungs.

Then it becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE), a clot that prevents these vital organs from getting the oxygen and blood they need.

That can damage your lungs and other organs, and may even be fatal.

Some people are more prone to DVT than others, so it’s worth staying on top of any risk factors.

Read more: “I was the fittest I’ve ever been; then I had a stroke”

It’s also smart to know the warning signs so you can act quickly. It’s important to recognise symptoms, since they can often be overlooked. And getting prompt treatment is key, says Dr Navarro.

Here are six signs you need to watch for:

1. Swelling in one limb

A puffy leg or arm is one of the most common signs of DVT.

“Blood clots can block the healthy flow of blood in the legs, and blood can pool behind the clot, causing swelling,” says Dr Navarro.

Be suspicious if your bloated limb comes on quickly, especially if it shows up with a side of pain.

2. Leg or arm pain

Usually, DVT pain comes with a combination of other symptoms like swelling or redness, but sometimes it can be standalone. “Unfortunately, pain from a blood clot can easily be mistaken for a muscle cramp or strain, which is why the issue often goes undiagnosed,” says Dr Navarro.

DVT pain tends to strike when you’re walking or when you flex your foot upward.

If you have a charley horse (muscle spasm) you can’t seem to shake –  especially if the skin near it is warm or discoloured –  have your doctor take a look.

3. Redness on your skin

While it’s true that a bruise is a type of blood clot, it’s not the kind you have to worry about. You can’t see DVT.

You might see some bruise-like discolouration, but you’re more likely to see red.

DVTs cause redness in the affected limb, and make your arm or leg feel warm to the touch, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.

Read more: This painful skin rash may put you at risk of a heart attack

4. Chest pain

A pain in your chest may make you think heart attack, but it could be a pulmonary embolism (PE).

“Both PE and a heart attack share similar symptoms,” says Dr Navarro.

However, PE pain tends to be sharp and stabbing, and feels worst when you take a deep breath.

Heart attack pain often radiates from upper areas of your body like your shoulders, jaw or neck.

The biggest clue is in your breathing – PE pain gets steadily worse with every breath you take.

Either way, you need help immediately, so call 10111.

5. Shortness of breath or a racing heart

A blood clot in your lung slows your oxygen flow.

When oxygen is low, your heart rate increases to try to make up for the shortage, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Feeling a flutter in your chest and having trouble with deep breaths could be your body signalling that you’ve got a PE lurking in your lungs, says Dr Navarro.

You might also feel faint, or even pass out. Get help quickly, especially if any of these symptoms come on suddenly.

6. Unexplained cough

Can’t stop hacking? If you’re also having shortness of breath, high heart rate or chest pain, it could be a PE.

“The cough will be dry, but sometimes people can cough up mucus and/or blood,” says Dr Navarro.

When in doubt, phone your doctor or go straight to the ER.

This article was originally featured on www.mh.co.za

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Despite plans for the building of Daveyton Hospital having been approved in 2006, 11 years have passed and it has yet to become a reality.

But now, authorities say, things are back on track and the approved hospital will indeed be built – and should open in 2025.

When the Gauteng Department of Health realised that Far Eastrand Hospital in Springs was receiving huge numbers of patients from all the surrounding townships, resulting in massive overcrowding, they came up with a plan.

Planning delayed

The community of Daveyton was promised that they would be getting a new hospital in 2006.

According to Ekurhuleni District Health, planning of the project is has been delayed due to site issues. The site identified for the construction of the new hospital, Portion 19 and 47 of farm Modderfontein 76-IR, is registered under Department of Public Works (DPW).

However, the site was said to be vested incorrectly to the Gauteng government. The site has yet to be proclaimed into a township and is currently zoned for agricultural use.

According to Conrad Modise, acting Chief Director of Ekurhuleni District Health, R1 million has been allocated from the 2017/18 budget adjustment to resolve site issues for Daveyton Hospital.

“Further funding will be allocated in later years for planning and construction once the land issues are resolved and business cases and designs are approved,” said Modise.

Lesemang Matuka, Gauteng Health’s director of communications, said the project was at the feasibility stage and business cases were being developed.

“The business cases are due to be submitted for approval by the National Department of Health before the end of 2017/18 financial year. Then the project can proceed to the design stage,” he said.

Reduce overcrowding

He further explained that this hospital will increase accessibility to level 1 hospital care while supporting the local primary healthcare facilities (clinics) and improving the referral systems.

According to Modise the aim of this hospital is to reduce the current load on both the Far East Rand and Tambo Memorial hospitals.

Far East Rand Hospital only has about 300 beds and the occupancy rate has always been in excess of the required norm of 85%, sometimes going up to 113%.

The challenge with this high utilisation would always mean that patients are discharged earlier than they should be and the quality of care is negatively impacted.

The same applies to Tambo Memorial Hospital where most of the patients are from Daveyton and the surrounding areas.

“Construction will commence in 2020/21 financial year, with construction taking five years. The hospital is expected to be completed in the 2024/25 financial year,” said Modise. – Health-e News

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Thabo Molelekwa

While thousands of South Africans are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplants, it remains a difficult task to convince rural black communities to donate organs because of their cultural beliefs. 

According to statistics published by the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa, 0.2 % of South Africans are registered to donate organs while more than 4 300 people are waiting to receive organs.

Role of cultural beliefs

Thembelihle Ggogqoni (65), an elderly community member and also a traditional healer, says it is against black culture to remove the organs of a deceased person as it is believed their spirit continues to roam and will not be accepted by ancestors.

“As a traditional healer I have a strong belief in the existence of ancestors and I directly communicate with them. If I die and have missing organs I will not be accepted by my ancestors. The body of the deceased has to be treated with respect,” he said.

“At times we hear that some families donate the whole human body to be used for studies. However, that contradicts our cultural beliefs. Families should consult the dead in their graves when a need arises,” he said.

“As traditional healers we condemn the acts of witchcraft done by bogus traditional healers who use body parts claiming that they heal.”

Samantha Nicholls, CEO of the Organ Donor Foundation, said the organisation is keen to increase their registered donors in the Eastern Cape province.

Organ donations save lives

“We will be conducting a volunteer programme next year where we encourage the public to come for training and they will be taught to educate and encourage the communities regarding organ donation. We launched the ULUNTU Project at the end of 2016 which focuses on education graphics levels for rural and township communities. We plan to conduct research surveys in the province as we have only conducted them in the bigger cities previously. Our volunteers will visit health care facilities educating people about organ donation,” Nicholls said.

Meanwhile the Eastern Cape’s Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Chief Zanemvula Nonkonyana says organisations such as Organ Donor Foundation should work closely with traditional leaders in order to gain access to communities.

“Concerned parties should engage in talks to convince our people of the need for organ donations to save lives. If they try to directly communicate with people, especially in rural areas, they will not succeed in their endeavours. The foundation needs to send its representatives to traditional councils to convey their messages through traditional leadership.”

Saving a soul

Vukile Genu (54) of Bityi Village in Umtata was diagnosed with acute renal failure in 1973 and he had both of his kidneys removed. Genu has been living with a donated organ for more 35 years and is the oldest person living with a donated kidney in Africa.

“I urge our communities to think about the people like myself who would like to be given a second chance in life because of donated organs. I, myself am a rural man who believes in ancestors. However, I doubt that my ancestors could punish me for doing well by saving a soul. I am pleading with my fellow South Africans to please donate their organs and those of their deceased family members. I am happy to be granted another chance to live. I am a married educator with five children living a normal life thanks to the anonymous person who donated a kidney for me.” – Health-e News

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