Before answering this question, let’s understand a bit about diabetes and thrombosis. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that increases your blood sugar levels. Thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms within a blood vessel. Across the world, 1 out of 4 deaths is related to thrombosis.

Diabetes can cause numerous complications such as coronary heart disease, retinopathy, heart problem, diabetic neuropathy, and thrombosis.

Diabetes and Thrombosis

Here’s how diabetes and thrombosis are related:

Long-term high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (building up of plaque in arteries) that can cause blood clots. Blood clots formation inside the blood vessels can be dangerous as they can prevent blood from flowing or slow the blood flow inside the blood vessels. They often lead to oxygen shortage in the tissues and organs, thus causing a heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke.

High blood sugar levels may also lead to abnormalities in the coagulation process. Also, high blood sugar levels reduce the ability to dissolve the formed blood clots.

Symptoms Of Thrombosis

If the blood clot is formed in a vein of the arm or leg, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Redness
• Warmth
• Swelling

The formed clots may break off and travel to the lung, which causes pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition. You will need immediate emergency attention. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism are:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Risk factors for thrombosis

The following are some of the risk factors for the formation of thrombosis:

• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Peripheral artery disease
• Sedentary lifestyle or bed rest
• Cancer
• Hormone replacement therapy

Diagnosis

Blood clots or thrombosis are initially diagnosed by physical examination or taking the medical history of the patient. The physician may ask you to undergo further tests, depending upon your symptoms and the location of the clot.

Prevention and Treatment

It is vital to stay active in diabetes to prevent the formation of blood clots. You must regularly exercise and control your diabetes, which will help to prevent thrombosis. Other ways to prevent thrombosis are mentioned below:

• Control cholesterol levels
• Control blood pressure
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Stay as active as possible
• Avoid standing or sitting in one position
• Avoid dehydration

Treatment options for thrombosis involve the use of blood-thinners, compression stockings, and anti-thrombolytic medications.