Blood clotting is needed for wound healing, but what happens when you clot too easily?
Blood coagulates to form a clot. Clotting is a very necessary function when you cut your finger or scrap your knee, so that you stop bleeding and don’t lose too much blood.
Clotting too easily, or not enough are both very problematic health issues. If you form a clot in your blood vessels, it can be life threatening.
Clots can occur in arteries or veins. An arterial blood clot can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A venous clot most commonly occurs in legs, but can also happen in the arms, pelvis, lungs or brain. These clots are also life threatening and require immediate medical treatment. If you struggle with any of these symptoms, check in with your Primary Health Care Team right away.
What might this look like?
Signs of arterial clots include:
- chest pain or pressure
- lightheadedness
- heart palpitations
- headache
- difficulty speaking or seeing
Signs of venous clots include:
- swelling
- pain
- tenderness
- change in skin colour
- warm skin
The Histamine Connection
Mast cell mediators including histamine, heparin and tryptase can induce clotting (1). If your mast cells are regularly degranulating, as is the case with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, then you can have higher levels of these chemicals in your system that might make you more prone to clots.
Would you be surprised to learn that blood coagulation activation is correlated with hives (2)? Struggling with chronic unexplained hives too? To learn more about hives check out our blog Hives & 4 Tips to Help.
The Histamine Haven Protocol is designed to be mast cell stabilizing. Foods that can trigger mast cell activation have been replaced with foods that help stabilize your mast cells. The more stable your mast cells are, the less likely they’ll be to release the histamine, heparin and tryptase that are contributing to your clots.
If you are experiencing signs of either arterial or venous blood clots it is important to seek medical treatment right away.
Want to learn more about histamine issues, and how it can play in to your symptoms you experience on a daily basis? Join our online community by clicking here. Loads of printable resources, a Master Class on the Histamine Connection. It's free to join!