Antiphospholipid Syndrome is a disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system makes a mistake in creating antibodies to proteins that prevent blood from clotting and help blood circulate normally. The mistake causes blood to clot in various parts of the body, such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, and legs. As a result, patients have symptoms such as headaches, problems with memory or balance, changes in vision, or dementia.
In addition, pregnant women may be at risk of miscarriage or fetal death. Currently, there is no known cause of this condition and no cure. However, patients may use medications to help relieve symptoms or reduce the risk of blood clots.
Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
People with Antiphospholipid Syndrome often have blood clots in their veins and arteries, which can lead to various diseases or health problems, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Small red spots appear on the skin, which may bleed.
- Livedo Reticularis,a skin condition that causes the skin to appear red and blue and have a net-like appearance, most commonly affecting the legs.
- Periodic bleeding, especially from the nose or gums
- Have dementia
- Have epilepsy
- Inflammation of the veins on the skin
- Pulmonary embolism or deep veinthrombosis
- Facing ischemic heart disease, cardiovascular disease
- Have a stroke or transient ischemic attack.
- Recurrent preeclampsia,premature birth , fetal death, or miscarriage
In addition, some people with Antiphospholipid Syndrome may experience fatigue, problems with balance or movement, problems with memory and speech, double vision, tingling or pins and needles in their arms or legs, headaches or recurring migraines. Many people may not have any symptoms or signs at all.
However, patients should see a doctor if they have unexplained nose or gum bleeding, unusually heavy periods, vomiting red or coffee-colored vomit, tarry or bright red stools, and unexplained abdominal pain.
See a doctor immediately if you have symptoms or signs of a stroke, such as numbness, weakness, sudden paralysis of the face, arms, or legs, trouble speaking or understanding words, trouble seeing, or severe headaches, or symptoms of pulmonary embolism, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood , or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, such as pain and swelling in the arms or legs .
Causes of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome is caused by the body’s immune system creating abnormal antibodies called antiphospholipids, which destroy proteins outside blood cells and in blood vessels, putting patients at risk for blood clotting. However, the exact cause of the body creating these antibodies has not been found, but it is thought that there may be some risk factors that trigger Antiphospholipid Syndrome, such as:
- Gender and age : This symptom group is more common in women than in men , or is more common in people who are in
- Lifestyle behaviors such as eating unhealthy foods, being obese, not exercising, or smoking, etc.
- Stopping physical activity for a period of time , such as flying or lying in bed for an extended period of time.
- Use of certain medications , such as anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, oral contraceptives, amoxicillin , hydralazine,quinidine, blood pressure medications, and medications for arrhythmias, etc.
- Diseases caused by abnormalities in the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases or Sjögren’s syndrome, etc.
- Viral or bacterial infections such as cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, E. coli, and HIV, leptospirosis, syphilis, hepatitis C, or Lyme disease , etc.
- Genetics: If someone in your family has a disorder in the production of antiphospholipid antibodies, you may also be at risk of developing this disorder.
- Other factors include receiving estrogen hormone therapy to treat menopause, undergoing surgery, being pregnant, having high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, etc.
However, some adults and children can develop Antiphospholipid Syndrome even without the above risk factors.
Diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Most often, a diagnosis is made when a person has had multiple miscarriages or a blood clot. Your doctor may order a blood test to look for antiphospholipid antibodies at least twice, spaced 12 weeks apart, because these antibodies can be caused by an infection or a side effect of antibiotics and may only be present in the body for a short period of time.
However, if the doctor first detects antiphospholipid antibodies, the doctor will do another blood test to see if the patient still has these antibodies. If the blood test confirms that the patient has Antiphospholipid Syndrome, the doctor may ask the patient for a detailed medical history to see if the patient has any symptoms that may be caused by Antiphospholipid Syndrome. If the patient has experienced blood clotting, unexplained miscarriage, or premature birth after 34 weeks of pregnancy or more, it is possible that the patient is experiencing this syndrome.
Treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Doctors may prescribe antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications to help reduce the risk of blood clots. If a doctor tests your blood and finds antiphospholipid antibodies but you’ve never had a blood clotting condition before, he or she may prescribe a low-dose aspirin. If you can’t take these medications, your doctor may prescribe clopidogrel instead.
However, if the patient has Antiphospholipid Syndrome or has had blood clots caused by a stroke or deep vein thrombosis, the doctor may prescribe Warfarin . If the patient has blood clots or the symptoms get worse, the doctor may recommend injecting Heparin to counteract the clotting. The patient may receive the injections at the hospital or may have to learn how to inject the injections themselves.
However, if the patient is pregnant or planning to have a child, the doctor should be informed first because the doctor may prescribe antiplatelet injections and take aspirin in small doses throughout the pregnancy until before giving birth and may continue taking the medication after giving birth. The doctor will not recommend taking warfarin because the child may be at risk of birth defects.
In addition, doctors may treat other diseases or health conditions that may put a patient at risk for blood clots, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions.
Complications of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
People may be at risk for intermittent bleeding while taking anticoagulants, so their doctors may check their blood to help control the amount of medication they take and to make sure their blood clots well enough to stop bleeding if they get cut or bruise. They may also develop a condition called catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, which causes blood to clot all over the body and can lead to organ failure. However, this is rare. Pregnant women may also experience miscarriages, premature births, or have babies born with developmental problems.
Prevention of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
There is currently no way to prevent Antiphospholipid Syndrome, but patients may be able to reduce their risk of developing the condition by making lifestyle changes, such as:
- No smoking
- Eat a healthy diet in appropriate amounts, including a variety of vegetables or fruits, as well as foods that are low in sugar and fat.
- Exercise regularly , keep your weight at a reasonable level, and lose weightif you are overweight .
In addition, if you are taking medication or receiving an injection to prevent blood clots, be careful not to bleed or get injured by avoiding contact sports or activities that may cause bruising or falls, being careful when using sharp objects, shaving with an electric razor, and using dental floss and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
