Hughes syndrome

A condition wherein clots or thromboses are formed in blood vessels us called as Hughes syndrome. In the year 1983 Dr. Graham Hughes had discovered it and from whom the name is derived. It is also called as “sticky blood” or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It can affect women and men equally, but is mostly found in women. Hughes syndrome can also result in miscarriage, thrombosis, heart attack and recurrent stroke.
The two types of Hughes syndrome are:
Primary, wherein Hughes syndrome does not develop by some other condition, it occurs on it own.
Secondary, conditions like lupus which is a autoimmune disorder results in Hughes syndrome and it doesn’t occur on it own.

Symptoms

Symptoms largely depend on the area where clots occur in the blood vessels and also where these clots move. The conditions mentioned below are caused by clots in blood.
Deep vein thrombosis – Leg with a blood clot results in severe pain and swelling especially in the calf area
Pulmonary embolism – Lungs with blood clot results in coughing of blood in small quantities, chest pain and breathing problem.
Repeated miscarriages or still births – The blood supply to foetus are blocked by the blood clot. In case of more than 3 miscarriages consecutively, a Hughes syndrome should be tested.
Heart attacks or stokes – when blood supply to brain or heart is blocked by blood clots. In case you have Hughes syndrome it can occur at an early age.
Other infrequent Hughes syndrome symptoms include:
Migraines or headache,
rashes – appear on your knee or wrist called as ‘livedo reticularis’,
bleeding from gums or nose,
occasional uncontrollable body movement and
loss of memory

Causes

What exactly causes Hughes syndrome is not known, however, antiphospholipid antibodies can be largely responsible for causing clots in blood, as per research.
For attacking dangerous bacteria, the immune system produces antibodies. When these antibodies accidentally attack phospholipids which is a fat in blood leading to blood clots and occurrence of Hughes syndrome.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Hughes syndrome is done by combination of various methods.
The doctor shall firstly check in case there have been any history of memory loss, migraines, strokes or heart attacks and clotting problems. Women will need to mention any previous pregnancies which resulted in miscarriages or complications.
A physical examination will be required to know any other condition has caused the rash, your glucose levels, cholesterol and blood pressure will be checked to scrap out any other reason for blood clots like diabetes and hypertension.
If Hughes Syndrome is diagnosed, a blood test will be required to test antiphospholipid antibodies. It is repeated after 8-6 weeks for further confirmation. If antiphospholipid antibodies are shown Hughes syndrome is diagnosed and the treatment shall begin.
Treating Hughes Syndrome:
After diagnosing Hughes Syndrome the treatment will be straightforward and the chances for any future blood clots are narrow.
Aspirin:
The treatment for Hughes syndrome aims to make the blood thin. A quarter of aspirin each day can be sufficient for thinning the blood and this is believed by maximum people.
Warfarin and heparin:
Warfarin is a medication used for blood thinning and is available in form of a pill. In case aspirin is unsuitable this can be used. Warfarin is not advisable during pregnancies as it believed to cause birth defects. In this case heparin is prescribed, which is similar to warfarin and safe during pregnancies. However this comes in form of a injection. The treatment for Hughes syndrome can continue for life to prevent occurrence of blood clots.

Prevention

There are no specific causes for Hughes syndrome hence not much can be done to prevent developing this condition. In case Hughes syndrome is diagnosed, to decrease the risks of clots in blood the below mentioned steps need to be followed:

• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking
• You should have a healthy weight.