Embolism

Usually, an embolism occurs when a foreign body is introduced into the blood. The foreign bodies that cause embolism are called Emboli. 

Some common causes of embolism are: 

• Blood Clots - naturally our body has clotting agents that help prevent excessive blood flow due to some injury. Conditions like obesity, heart disease, cancer, and sometimes pregnancy can cause blood clots to form even inside the veins when there’s no bleeding.

A blood clot can travel before getting stuck and blocking the blood supply to any organ or limb. 

• Fats - fats particle forms as a result of long bone surgery or due to severe burns and can also cause blockages in arteries.  

• Air-entrapped air can cause air bubbles or gas in the bloodstream. Usually scuba divers face this type of embolism. 

• Cholesterol - people who already are suffering from atherosclerosis - a condition in which veins get narrow due to cholesterol, small pieces of cholesterol can break away and settle in the bloodstream causing blockages. 

• Amniotic Fluid - this is, however, a rare case of embolism in which the amniotic fluid ( the fluid responsible for protecting the baby inside the womb) leaks into the mother’s blood vessel causing a blockage.