Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Excessive Bleeding

Excessive bleeding is not only a potential cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is also a severe and life-threatening complication of this condition. The increased coagulability in these patients leads to numerous clots in the microvessels throughout the body. In acute cases, there is a point where the increased clotting activity exceeds the availability of clotting resources. These clotting resources include platelets and clotting factors. Clotting activity exhausts platelets and clotting proteins to the extent where limited amounts are left to carry out normal clotting processes when they are needed.

This malfunction can cause the patient to experience varying degrees of internal and external bleeding. Internal bleeding occurs in tissues of the individual's brain, kidneys, and intestines. External bleeding has been reported from or underneath the skin and mucosa. Blood in the urine and stool, headaches, seizures, and double vision are symptoms reported when excessive bleeding has appeared as a complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is considered a complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation. It occurs when body temperature falls below ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit. The normal body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms include a weak pulse, lack of coordination or clumsiness, mumbling or slurred speech, shallow breathing, memory loss or confusion, low energy, and bright red skin. If left untreated, it can lead to fulminant heart and lung failure and, eventually, death.

Patients with hypothermia are also prone to frostbite and gangrene. Individuals can avoid both of these in cold weather by wearing warm clothes covering their face, neck, and head. Other tips are to avoid sweating a lot, wear many layers of lightweight clothing, and stay as dry as possible. Since disseminated intravascular coagulation affects patients with significant damage to organs or tissues, hypothermia puts them at a higher risk of developing the condition.