Expectant mothers can experience unexpected conditions, including antiphospholipid syndrome. Phospholipids are fatty compounds in the body that function to build cell walls in the human body.
This compound plays a role in the blood clotting process. If it doesn’t function properly, a person will experience blood clots and require appropriate treatment.
Definition
According to the Mayo Clinic, antiphospholipid syndrome ( APS) is a group of symptoms that occur when the immune system attacks the body’s fatty compounds, also known as phospholipids.
One of the most characteristic signs of antiphospholipid syndrome is increased blood viscosity. This syndrome is also known as Hughes syndrome, named after its discoverer. This syndrome is an autoimmune disease that can cause disorders throughout the body.
Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
When phospholipids don’t function properly, blood becomes thicker and more prone to clotting. Consequently, the risk of blood clots in both arteries and veins increases.
According to the Mayo Clinic, blood clots aren’t the only symptom. Someone with this condition may experience the following symptoms, including:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- The presence of a rash or sores on the skin
- Heart attack or stroke, especially recurrent ones that occur at age under 55 for men and under 65 for women.
- Blockage of blood vessels in the eyes, liver, or kidneys
- Pregnancy complications, such as recurrent miscarriage or premature birth caused by severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.
- Heart valve disorders
- Nervous system disorders and thrombocytopenia.
If it gets worse, further symptoms will occur in the form of the following conditions:
- Frequent tingling in the feet or hands
- Fatigue and weakness
- Recurrent headaches
- Visual disturbances, such as double vision
- Memory, speech, movement and balance disorders
- Bruises or wounds on the skin
- Nosebleed
- Bleeding gums
Risk Factors
Normally, the immune system fights off foreign organisms like viruses or bacteria that invade the body. When this condition occurs, it produces antibodies that attack the fatty compounds themselves.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of these antibodies causing blood clots is unknown. It is suspected that these antibodies may form due to a genetic mutation.
The exact cause of these antibodies or how they contribute to blood clotting is unknown. However, it is suspected that they are caused by a genetic mutation in the immune system, certain viral or bacterial infections, certain medications, or a combination of the three.
Several factors are suspected to increase a person’s risk of developing antiphospholipid syndrome, namely:
- Female
- Have another autoimmune disease, such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome
- Suffering from certain infections, such as hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, or syphilis
- Taking certain medications, such as the anticonvulsant phenytoin or the antibiotic amoxicillin
- Family history of antiphospholipid syndrome
Recent research has also revealed the presence of antibodies that attack phospholipids in COVID-19 patients. This is thought to be linked to blood clots that occur in COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms.
In some cases, a person may have antibodies that attack phospholipids in the blood without experiencing any health problems. However, people with this condition are still at risk of experiencing symptoms if:
- Is pregnant
- Have high blood cholesterol levels
- Undergoing surgery in the leg area, such as knee or hip replacement surgery
- Active smoker
- Undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- Taking birth control pills
- Being overweight or obese
- Being immobile for long periods of time, such as recovering from surgery or sitting during a long-haul flight
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome, or APS, a doctor will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, their family and medical history, and any medications they are currently taking. Afterward, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination.
If a patient experiences blood clots that cause health problems without a clear cause or risk factors, the doctor will perform two blood tests to confirm the presence of antibodies that cause APS.
In addition to antibody tests, doctors can also perform the following tests for a more accurate diagnosis:
- Complete blood count
- Syphilis screening
- Blood clotting examination
- Lupus antibody and Anti–beta-2 glycoprotein I testing
Radiological examinations are also needed to detect problems that may occur due to blood clots in the body, such as an MRI of the brain to see a stroke or a Doppler ultrasound of the legs to see if there is deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Due to their tendency to clot, people with APS need to regularly take blood-thinning medications, such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel. Patients taking birth control pills will be advised to switch to another method of contraception, such as an IUD.
If a person with APS has previously experienced blood clots, the doctor will prescribe anticoagulant medication, such as warfarin in oral tablet form. Meanwhile, pregnant patients will be given a combination of injectable heparin and low-dose aspirin, adjusted for the pregnancy.
In addition to the above treatment methods, immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids or rituximab can also be used to treat APS syndrome in patients with low platelets (thrombocytopenia), have skin wounds, or have other autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Since the exact cause is unknown, the only preventative measure is avoiding risk factors. Try adopting a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, limiting foods high in fat and sugar, quitting smoking and alcohol, and exercising regularly.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
