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Antiphospholipid Syndrome
also known as Hughe’s Syndrome, Sticky
Blood
Description:
The antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder of the immune system that
is characterized by excessive clotting of blood and/or certain complications of pregnancy (premature miscarriages, unexplained
fetal death, or premature birth) and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (cardiolipin or lupus anticoagulant antibodies)
in the blood. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome have developed abnormal symptoms while having antiphospholipid antibodies
that are detectable with blood testing.
Antiphospholipid syndrome is also called the phospholipid antibody
syndrome. Antiphospholipid syndrome has been referred to as Hughes syndrome in honor of the doctor who first described it.
Signs and Symptoms:
Clots can develop in the veins of the legs resulting in a swollen,
painful leg, with the swelling usually starting in the calf. These clots in the leg may happen once, or several times.
Clots may also occur in the lung. A clot in the lung may lead to
shortness of breath, chest pain made worse by breathing in, or coughing up a small amount of blood.
Veins in other parts of the body may clot, including the eye, kidney,
liver, and adrenal gland.
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