Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Description
This condition is a bleeding disorder resulting from the widespread overstimulation of the body's clotting and anticlotting mechanisms in response to illness, stress, or both. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs mainly within the capillaries or the micro-circulation. It is a secondary complication of a diverse group of disorders that activate, in some way, the coagulation system.
Causes
Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurs when the body's clotting mechanisms are activated throughout the body in response to an injury or a disorder, instead of being isolated to the area of initial onset. Platelets circulating throughout the body form small blood clots (thrombi) primarily in the area of the capillaries. This eventually causes the clotting...
[The entire page is 771 words long]