Yaz Birth Control Side Effects

by admin on August 23rd, 2010

Yaz birth control side effects caused by blood clots can form in the veins or arteries. Most clots (i.e. thrombi) found within the arteries, however, arrive there from other areas of the body. They usually form within the deep veins (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) and break away from the blood vessel’s wall. Once they become detached, they travel with the bloodstream into the arteries.

When thrombi remain in the deep veins, they cause localized swelling and pain. In some cases, the surface of your skin may appear discolored. These symptoms develop slowly over time. If clots migrate into the arteries, they can prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching your organs and tissues. This can lead to medical emergencies, including pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack.

It is important to diagnose blood clots before they can trigger dangerous health problems. Your doctor can use the following tests to do so.

Blood Tests

When a thrombus dissolves, it releases fibrin fragments known as D-dimers. These fragments serve as a marker that indicates the presence of clots. Thus, your physician may order a D-dimer test to check for these fragments.

The drawback to this test is that the level of D-dimers in your bloodstream may rise due to unrelated circumstances, such as infection or bruising. This limits the usefulness of this test. Consequently, it cannot be used to construct a conclusive diagnosis; it can only be used as a screening test. If results are positive, further testing is needed. If results are negative, thrombi are unlikely to exist, and testing can conclude.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to build images of your veins and internal structures. It is the most common test used for detecting venous clots. (Since arterial clots often cause medical emergencies, more invasive tests are used.)

Your doctor will apply a special gel over the area suspected of clotting. A small device called a transducer is then held against your skin. This device emits sound waves, which penetrate your skin and tissues, and bounce off the veins.

Doppler ultrasound (a variation of traditional ultrasound) can also be used. Rather than bouncing off the veins, the sound waves bounce off red blood cells. In both cases, the sound waves return to the transducer, which transfers them to a computer. The computer then builds 2-dimensional images that display your veins and reveal possible blockages.

Venography

Ultrasound may produce unclear results, which may prompt your doctor to order a venogram. This is a test in which a contrast dye is introduced to the suspected vein or artery. It may be done via injection or catheter, depending on the location of the Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz blood clots. X-rays are taken to display the dye as it flows through your blood vessels. This allows your doctor to visualize your venous and arterial network. Obstructions in these blood vessels become evident in areas where the dye’s passage is restricted.

Once considered the gold standard for diagnosing certain clot-related conditions (e.g. deep vein thrombosis), venography has largely been replaced with other diagnostic studies.

Helical Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

Helical CT scanning is a common alternative to ultrasound. It is often used when ultrasonography produces unclear results, but the patient prefers to avoid the invasive nature of a venogram. Traditional CT scans generated 2-dimensional images of the blood vessels and internal structures. Helical CT scanning uses a scanner that rotates around your body, taking a series of x-rays from different perspectives. These x-rays are then combined to produce 3-dimensional images that can display your venous and arterial networks with a higher degree of accuracy.

Once your doctor has formed a conclusive diagnosis for Yaz side effects involving blood clots, a treatment plan can be developed. The method of treatment will depend on the location of the thrombi and the dangers they present. For example, a small DVT in your legs may require little more than short-term use of anticoagulant medications. A Yaz pulmonary embolism, on the other hand, may require thrombolytic drugs, especially if there is a high risk of lung damage.

If you have suffered from Yaz problems, including DVT, PE, gallbladder disease or stroke, you may be able to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.