What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Antiphospholipid
Antibody Syndrome?
The signs and symptoms of antiphospholipid antibody
syndrome (APS) are related to abnormal blood clotting. The outcome of a blood
clot depends on its size and location.
Blood clots can form in or travel to the arteries or
veins in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and limbs. Clots can limit or block
blood flow. This can damage the bodys organs and may cause death.
Major Signs and Symptoms
Major signs and symptoms of blood clots include:
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the
limbs
- Ongoing headaches
- Speech changes
- Upper body discomfort in the arms, back, neck,
and jaw
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
Blood clots can lead to
stroke,
heart
attack, kidney damage,
pulmonary
embolism, and
deep
vein thrombosis.
Pregnant women who have APS can have successful
pregnancies. However, they're at higher risk for miscarriages, stillbirths, and
other pregnancy-related problems, such as
preeclampsia (pre-e-KLAMP-se-ah).
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that occurs
during pregnancy. This condition may progress to eclampsia. Eclampsia is a
serious condition that causes seizures in pregnant women.
Some people who have APS also have
thrombocytopenia.
This is a condition in which your blood has a low number of blood cells called
platelets. Mild to serious bleeding causes the main
signs
and symptoms of thrombocytopenia. Bleeding can occur inside the body
(internal bleeding) or on the skin.
Other Signs and Symptoms
Other symptoms of APS include chronic headaches,
memory loss, or
heart
valve disease. Some people who have the disorder also get a lacy-looking
red rash on their wrists and knees. |