7 Effective Homeopathic Medicines for Thrombosis

Thrombosis refers to the formation of blood clots in a blood vessel (either in an artery or a vein). When it forms in arteries, it is called arterial thrombosis. In this case, blood supply to tissues is obstructed leading to damage of the tissue supplied by that particular artery. When a blood clot forms in a vein, it is called venous thrombosis. In such cases the part of the body affected gets congested. There is always a chance that the blood clot or a part of it can break and be carried to some other distant part of the body through circulation. Homeopathic Medicines for Thrombosis play a supportive role in managing its symptoms, they can be used along with conventional medicine for symptomatic management and gradual recovery.

Causes

There are three factors that play a role in it. They include hyper-coagulability/thrombophilia, injury to endothelial cells of the blood vessel and disturbed blood flow. Hypercoagulability refers to increased susceptibility or tendency of blood to thrombose. It can be from genetics or some autoimmune disorders. An injury to endothelial cells of the blood vessel can result from surgery, trauma and an infection. 

There are certain risk factors that increase one’s chances to get thrombosis. The factors that increase risk of venous thrombosis are family history of blood clot in vein, injury to vein, immobility after a surgery, being overweight, smoking and having inherited blood clotting disorders. Additionally, females during pregnancy and those taking birth control pills/hormone therapy and elderly people are at risk of venous thrombosis. If we talk about risk factors for arterial thrombosis, it includes family history of arterial thrombosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), increased levels of cholesterol, obesity, smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, elderly age and immobility as after surgery.

Symptoms

It depends on which blood vessel (artery or vein) of the body is involved and to what organs it supplies blood or collects blood. Some of the main types of arterial and venous thrombosis are as follows with its signs and symptoms:

Venous Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein mostly in the vein of lower legs, thighs or pelvis but it can also form in the upper limb.  Swelling, pain, redness and heat in the affected part occurs. It carries a risk of a very serious complication called pulmonary embolism. In this case, the blood clots from the vein mostly from leg breaks and travels through blood circulation to the lungs. It blocks one of the pulmonary arteries of the lungs which is life threatening if not treated urgently. In this case shortness of breath, chest pain and cough appears. Some other symptoms like dizziness, rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, discoloured skin and swelling, pain in the leg can appear with this.

Portal Vein Thrombosis causes a rise of pressure in the portal vein system and decreases blood supply to the liver. The Portal Vein  carries blood  from the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and intestines to the liver. People with cirrhosis of liver (severe scarring in liver), other liver disease, inflamed pancreas, and those predisposed to develop clot can get this condition. The signs and symptoms that can occur in this condition are pain in upper abdomen, swollen abdomen, fever. In severe cases the spleen can get enlarged, varices in the esophagus or stomach can develop that can lead to bleeding (vomiting of blood, bloody stool), liver pain and jaundice can occur.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome is a rare condition that mostly arises from a blood clot that narrows or blocks the hepatic vein or the hepatic part of inferior vena cava. The signs and symptoms depend upon the severity of the condition. It includes pain in abdomen, weight loss, ascites (build up of fluid in abdomen), gastrointestinal bleeding, enlarged liver, jaundice and enlarged spleen. 

Renal Vein Thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot develops in the renal vein  (that drains deoxygenated blood from the kidneys). It is not a common condition but can cause serious kidney damage. Reduced urine output, pain in lower back, blood in urine, fever, nausea and vomiting are its signs and symptoms. There are also chances of breakage of this clot that can travel to lungs.

Jugular Vein Thrombosis is very uncommon. It can occur from infection, cancer and intravenous drug use. Jugular veins are the veins that bring blood from head and neck to heart. Clots in this vein are often associated with prior venous catheterization at that site. 

Paget-Schroetter Disease, which is also called upper extremity DVT in which blood clot forms in the deep vein of arms. It is a rare type of DVT that mostly occurs in young persons (men are more affected than women with this) after intense exercise or sports activity involving upper arms. Symptoms include pain, swelling, warmth in the arm along with redness or blueness.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis is an uncommon type of stroke arising from blood clot blocking the dural venous sinus. In this symptoms that occur include pain in head, vision problem and weakness of face or one side limbs, difficulty speaking and seizure (fit).

Retinal Vein Occlusion occurs when blood flow to a central vein of retina is blocked from a blood clot that can cause critical vision issues. In this glaucoma or detachment of retina can occur.

Arterial Thrombosis

It is also called atherothrombosis. It mostly appears after rupture of fatty deposits in the wall of the blood vessel. 

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) is when coronary arteries of the heart get blocked with plaque (made of sticky fat, calcium on which  blood cells called platelets  stick and clump together to form blood clots).  This can hinder blood flow to the heart and needs to be treated promptly to prevent permanent heart damage. Its symptoms are pain in the chest felt as tightness, a squeezing sensation or pressure that mostly radiates  to the left arm, shortness of breath, sweating, anxiety, fast heartbeat, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Thrombotic Stroke is classified as a medical emergency. In this a blood clot cuts off blood flow to one of the arteries of brain arteries leading to death of brain cells of that part where blood supply is blocked. The signs and symptoms of stroke are weakness/numbness or paralysis of arms, face, legs, problem in speaking, blurred vision, difficulty in walking. 

Limb Ischemia occurs when a blood clot in limbs causes hindrance in its blood supply. Its symptoms are pain, abnormal sensation in limb. The limb is pale and is cold to touch. In late stages numbness is there. Gangrene (death of tissue cells) from loss of blood supply can occur.

Homeopathic Medicines for Thrombosis

Homeopathic Medicines for Thrombosis play a supportive role in managing its symptoms. One can use these medicines along with conventional medicine for symptomatic management and gradual recovery. It is to be noted that thrombosis can have serious consequences so any homeopathic treatment should be started after detailed case analysis. In acute conditions where the symptoms are indicating risk of serious issues like heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism etc, it is strictly advisable to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment. Homeopathic medicine should be preferred for mild to moderate cases with small sized clots and when there are none of the symptoms that indicate any medical emergency. They can also be used to manage residual symptoms that remained after acute condition but that too along with conventional medicines. Following are some of the well indicated homeopathic medicines for blood clots but any of these medicines should be taken after consulting homeopathic physician and self medication should be avoided.

1. Bothrops Lanceolatus

It is beneficial medicine for cases where there is a tendency to form blood clots. It is especially helpful for blood clots that form in veins of the legs. It also works well for cases of gangrene of toes and legs. It also covers effects of clot like paralysis of one side of the body (hemiplegia) and aphasia (mostly occurs after a stroke in which a person loses ability to communicate).

2.  Apis Mellifica

This medicine is most indicated for thrombosis of blood vessels of legs. The symptoms present in cases needing it are reddish bluish spots on legs along with heat, pain and inability to move legs. Next symptom is pain in the left leg which can be burning, stitching or shooting type. It may also feel heavy and numb. 

3. Arnica

It is a natural medicine prepared from the root of the plant Arnica Montana commonly known as leopard’s bane. This plant belongs to family compositae. This medicine is known for its action to speed up absorption of blood clots especially in the eye after retinal haemorrhage. Next it is indicated for paralysis from stroke.

4. Secale Cor

Firstly it is well indicated medicine for thrombosis of abdominal vessels. Secondly it is indicated for managing gangrene cases. It is useful for gangrene of the feet. Here intense burning and tearing pain are present in the foot. Its next indication is gangrene of limb with sudden coldness of limbs. The limbs look dark grey in such cases and there may be loss of sensation with this. 

5. Phosphorus

This medicine is well indicated for blood clot formation in retinal vessels. It is a great medicine to manage complaints of glaucoma.

6. Vipera

It is a prominent medicine for thrombosis of limbs. In cases needing it blueness of lower limbs is present. There is pain and sensation as if lower limbs would burst when they are hanging down. Due to this there is a desire to keep limbs elevated.

7. Carduus Marianus

This medicine is prepared from seeds of a plant known as St. Mary’s Thistle. This plant belongs to family compositae. It is considered in cases where the liver and portal venous system is affected. The indications for its use are jaundice, ascites (fluid build up in abdomen), enlarged liver, bleeding related to liver issues.