Nuvaring stroke risk problems are caused by blood clots that travel into the carotid arteries and restrict the flow of blood to your brain. Your brain tissue needs a constant supply of oxygenated blood in order to function properly. If the cells are deprived – even for a few moments – they will begin to die. This triggers a stroke.

If your brain tissue becomes damaged from a lack of blood, you will experience one or more impairments. The form of the impairment depends on the area of your brain affected by the stroke. Its severity depends on the size of the blockage within the carotid artery and the length of time that passes prior to receiving treatment. Stroke rehabilitation is usually necessary to regain lost function.

Goals Of Stroke Rehabilitation

During rehabilitation, you’ll work with several health care professionals to recover physical and mental function lost during the stroke. The areas of expertise of these providers will depend on your needs. For example, physical therapists will address disabilities related to movement; occupational therapists focus primarily on motor skills and related functions; speech pathologists can help you cope with aphasia.

The extent to which a survivor recovers lost functions is unpredictable. The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to recover as much as possible.

Regaining Mobility And Other Physical Functions

Physical disabilities are common with strokes. This is because your limbs are controlled by both the left and right hemispheres of your cerebrum. A blockage that affects either hemisphere can result in weakness or partial paralysis, both of which will reduce your mobility.

The job of physical therapists is twofold. First, they’ll work to help you regain lost function of your impaired limbs. Second, they’ll teach you strategies to compensate for any remaining shortfall in function.

These goals are accomplished by focusing solely on the impaired limb while ignoring unaffected limbs, or even temporarily restraining them. Your therapist might encourage you to engage in range-of-motion techniques and exercises that rebuild coordination. If you suffer partial paralysis, he or she may use tap-induced stimulation to help return feeling to the impaired limb and encourage movement.

Relearning Motor Skills

You may lose the ability to perform important motor skills as the result of suffering Nuvaring side effects involving a stroke. Loss of these motor skills can impact every area of your daily and professional life. For example, they can limit your ability to take a shower, prepare meals, work on a computer, and vacuum the floor of your home. The job of an occupational therapist is to help you relearn the most important of these skills.

In the event some motor skills are unrecoverable, your therapist can teach you strategies to compensate. This might include changing the layout of your home or installing certain features that make everyday life more manageable for you.

Coping With Aphasia

Aphasia is an impairment that affects your ability to speak and comprehend the speech of others. It comes in three forms (e.g. Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, and Global aphasia) with the effects of each manifesting in various ways. Broca’s aphasia affects the production of speech. Wernicke’s aphasia involves a loss of comprehension. Global aphasia involves both impairments.

A speech and language therapist (known as a pathologist) will work with you to help you regain your ability to speak and understand what others are saying. If a deficit remains in either ability, your therapist will teach you alternative methods for communicating. This is a critical part of stroke rehabilitation because it directly impacts your ability to interact with those around you.

Stroke problems can range from minimal to severe, and their impact on your life will vary. For example, you might experience difficulty remembering key events from your past, an impairment that may have little effect on your daily life. On the other hand, you may experience paralysis, loss of motor skills, and speech-related impairments, all of which will require long-term rehabilitation.

If you or someone you know has suffered abnormal clotting, stroke, or other side effects, find out about your legal rights. Contact a Nuvaring attorney to discuss your case and for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2010 news.

Nuvaring is a relatively new form of vaginal birth control. It basically contains some of the same synthetic hormones that are in the pill, but it is placed in the vagina once a month, where it releases these hormones which are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. In theory, this sounds like an excellent idea because it requires lower doses of hormones. In actuality, though, this particular birth control option uses some hormones that are thought to increase the Nuvaring blood clot risk.

Many doctors will prescribe this and other birth control medications despite the risk of blood clots. They may avoid giving hormonal contraceptives to women with a history of clotting problems or to women who smoke, but since all hormone-based birth control carry a certain amount of blood clot risk, they won’t think twice before writing a prescription for a healthy woman with no history of blood clots. However, this form of birth control can still cause blood clots even in the healthiest of women.

What Is a Blood Clot?
Basically, Nuvaring side effects involving a blood clot is likely to form in the legs. This is known as a thrombi, and it’s essentially a gathering of blood cells that shouldn’t be there. In the legs, these clots can be painful and annoying, but they aren’t likely to cause major problems there unless they get very large. Sometimes, though, a muscle contraction can cause a clot to break off and travel through the veins to other parts of the body, where it can wreak havoc. Here are just a few of the possible side effects that you might see from blood clots. Please contact us for a free consultation from a Nuvaring lawyer if you have suffered from blood clots while using Nuvaring.

Stroke: When a blood clot lodges itself somewhere in the brain, it can cause oxygen to be cut off from part of the brain for a time. This can result in classic stroke symptoms, including paralysis, memory loss, and loss of motor skills.

Pulmonary Embolism: This is when a clot gets lodged in one of the major veins of the lungs. When this happens, oxygen supply to the whole body is cut off. An embolism could result in trouble breathing or even sudden death if it thoroughly blocks the blood supply. Because blood supply is vital to the support of the brain and other organs, such an embolism an also result in a variety of other long-lasting effects.

Vision and Speech Problems: If a mini stroke affects only one part of the brain, Nuvaring side effects might cause problems with vision and speech. A blood clot that affects only part of the brain may not result in all the classic stroke symptoms but can still have dire consequences for all involved.

What to Do about Nuvaring Side Effects
If you are using Nuvaring or know someone who is, be especially alert for signs and symptoms of blood clotting problems. If you or someone you love has already experienced these symptoms and is suffering from life-long injuries because of the birth control ring, it may be time to look at your legal options, including filing a Nuvaring lawsuit. Many women affected by blood clots have done so, and Nuvaring lawsuit litigation is currently ongoing.

Otherwise healthy women may be exposed to the side effects of Nuvaring side effects involving blood clots without being fully aware of the dangers. These clots (also called thrombi) can form in the veins and arteries. Some, like those that form in superficial veins near the surface of your skin, are relatively harmless. Others form in the deep veins and can break off and travel to other areas of your body, notably the heart and lungs. Still other thrombi develop directly within the arteries. These pose a risk of triggering pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, and other medical emergencies.

Nuvaring releases estrogen and desogestrel through the vaginal wall into the bloodstream. These hormones do not directly form blood clots; coagulation requires platelets and your body’s thrombin system. Instead, estrogen and desogestrel increase the likelihood your blood will clot, which can lead to several dangerous Nuvaring side effects.

Basics Of Blood Clot Formation

When a blood vessel is injured, platelets arrive at the scene to form the initial plug. Platelets are small fragments of cells that are produced in bone marrow. When a venous injury occurs, they undergo a chemical process during which their surface becomes sticky. They aggregate and form a protective covering over the injury.

While platelets are clumping together to form a plug, your thrombin system activates proteins and triggers a cascade of clotting factors. One of these proteins is fibrinogen. During the coagulation cascade, fibrinogen converts into fibrin, a protein that appears like a strand of sticky material. These strands interlink over the platelet plug, tightening and strengthening the clot in the process.

Blood Clots And Deep Vein Thrombosis

As mentioned earlier, blood clots can form in the deep veins – usually in the legs. This is a dangerous condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. It occurs for one of three reasons: injury to the venous wall, reduced blood flow, or factors that contribute to hypercoagulability (i.e. called thrombophilia). This last circumstance is particularly noteworthy since it involves the hormones released by Nuvaring into the bloodstream.

Nuvaring and DVT problems are dangerous because the deep veins of your legs are surrounded by muscles. When the muscles contract, they squeeze the veins and pump blood to your heart. They can also cause blood clots to break away from the venous wall (i.e. to embolize), allowing them to travel to your heart and lungs. This places you at risk of pulmonary embolism, hypertension, arrhythmias, and right-sided heart failure.

In rare cases, emboli can travel through a hole in the interatrial septum, the wall that separates the two sides of your heart. This allows them to bypass your lungs and potentially emerge in your aorta. If this occurs, the clots might travel to your brain, where they can block a carotid artery and cause a stroke.

Nuvaring Lawsuit

Your body normally initiates a clot-dissolving mechanism once venous injuries have been repaired. With blood clots, medications are often necessary. Anticoagulant drugs, such as heparin (Coumadin) and warfarin, can be administered to slow the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin strands. This reduces the rate of coagulation. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and clopidrogel (Plavix), are designed to reduce the “sticky” quality of platelets. This prevents them from aggregating and forming a plug.

If a thrombus is large and poses a high risk of breaking away and traveling to your heart, more aggressive drugs can be administered. Thrombolytic medications (also called fibrinolytics), such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and streptokinase, are used to activate plasminogen. This triggers a chemical reaction during which plasminogen converts into plasmin. Plasmin digests fibrin strands, which helps dissolve blood clots.

Nuvaring and blood clots are dangerous, especially when they form in the deep veins. Fortunately, they can be treated successfully. That said, if you have suffered abnormal clotting, DVT, pulmonary embolism, or other Nuvaring side effects, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your case.

Studies have indicated that newer generation hormone-based contraceptives, including Nuvaring, have several potential side effects. These Nuvaring side effects include serious health threats that can result in death or impairment for life. They include strokes, heart attacks and a blood clot condition called deep venous thrombosis, which can be deadly under certain conditions. If you have suffered serious side effects Nuvaring lawyers can discuss your legal options including filing deadlines.

Nuvaring And Blood Clot Symptoms

Blood clots are capable of causing death and lifelong reductions in cognitive, motor and other skills. These clots can potentially break free, floating through the blood stream and becoming what’s called a pulmonary embolism, a potentially lethal medical emergency.

Deep venous thrombosis is another potentially lethal condition, known as DVT. In patients with DVT, a blood clot forms in the deep veins or arteries in the body. When the muscles around the clot contract, there is the potential to dislodge the blood clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism, a stroke or a heart attack. When any Nuvaring side effects that involve blood clotting are discovered, the treatments are usually not pleasant, but they are most certainly necessary.

Nuvaring Side Effects and Their Treatments

If you suffer Nuvaring problems that cause your blood to clot, you’ll likely be given a blood-thinner, provided that the situation is not critical. Two popular drugs used for this sort of treatment include warfarin and heparin. Neither of these medications can be taken lightly due to their own side effects.

Blood-thinners have serious side effects of their own. Because the blood is thinned, it’s possible to bleed heavily from minor wounds, even to dangerous extremes. This medication, however, represents only the long term treatment for some conditions that have been shown to be related to Nuvaring blood clots problems. Some of the short-term, emergency treatments are even more powerful, including the thrombolytic drugs used for clot-busting.

The Risks of Nuvaring And Blood Clots

Among the authorities that have stated that the evidence that link hormonal birth control products with blood clots is the FDA. In 1995, the agency stated that there is a twofold increase for the risk of blood clots compared to the risk posed by other birth-control products. The birth control ring, like many other birth-control products, uses hormones to control the body’s reproductive cycle. In the case of the Nuvaring contraceptive, it releases these hormones directly into the bloodstream.

If you’ve experienced the Nuvaring problems listed above, you may be able to file a Nuvaring lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit is a way for you to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Nuvaring side effects are potentially deadly. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms of blood clots or deep venous thrombosis, you need to visit a doctor immediately. The sooner these conditions are treated, the better off you’ll be. You may be able to file a Nuvaring lawsuit to recover the costs of treatment for the side effects.

Nuvaring blood clots involving a DVT (or deep venous thrombosis) is a condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins of your legs. They often cause swelling and pain, and can damage the one-way valves in the veins that control the directional flow of blood. These clots are caused by the hormones released through the vaginal wall by the contraceptive ring – estrogen and a progestin called etonogestrel, an active metabolite of desogestrel. Both hormones are known to increase the risk of abnormal clotting in women.

In addition to circulation problems and valvular damage at the site of the DVT, the clots also expose you to a risk of pulmonary embolism. If they break free of the venous lining, they can travel with your bloodstream to your heart and lungs. A thrombus that migrates into a pulmonary artery can form a blockage, resulting in damage to the underlying lung tissue.

Because of these dangers, doctors normally treat Nuvaring and deep vein thrombosis with blood thinners and thrombolytic drugs. Each type of medication is prescribed in order to achieve different goals in an attempt to prevent pulmonary embolism. Please contact us for the latest information on Nuvaring litigation 2010 updates.

Blood Thinners

The two main blood thinners, or anticoagulants, prescribed today are low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and warfarin. Both are used to slow the pace of clotting in your body. They help prevent further clots from forming while controlling the growth of existing clots.

Low-molecular weight heparin is delivered by injection or intravenously, and begins to work immediately. It inhibits an enzyme called thrombin, which normally turns fibrinogen into fibrin, a key ingredient for thrombi. By inhibiting the action of thrombin, LMWH delays the body’s clotting process.

Warfarin (also known as Coumadin) is prescribed in pill form and requires several days to begin taking effect. It works toward the same end as LMWH (slowing the pace of clotting), but does so by inhibiting vitamin K. Normally, vitamin K produces a protein called prothrombin, an important clotting factor. Inhibiting its production slows the development of clots.

Even though blood thinners are effective for slowing the process of clot formation, they pose a risk of internal hemorrhaging. With both low-molecular weight heparin and warfarin, signs of bleeding are often evident in black stools or orange-colored urine. To minimize the likelihood of bleeding, your doctor will monitor your blood to ensure the medication levels are appropriate.

Both are often prescribed to treat a Nuvaring DVT problem, but LMWH is stopped once warfarin begins to have an effect. For severe deep vein thrombosis, both types of anticoagulants may be used concurrently.

Thrombolytic Medications

Known as clot-busters, thrombolytic drugs dissolve existing thrombi. Common medications used during thrombolysis include tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), streptokinase, tenecteplase, and urokinase. These drugs can be introduced using one of two methods: through an IV or through a long catheter.

A contrast dye is released into the suspected veins prior to injecting the clot-busting medication. This is done to determine the exact location of the thrombus. Once its location has been identified, the thrombolytic medication is introduced.

X-rays are then taken of the site to monitor the dissolution of the clot. The length of time over which treatment is administered can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the size of the clot.

As with anticoagulants, the main risk posed by thrombolytic therapy is internal hemorrhaging. This is the primary concern for doctors. They must weigh the risk of bleeding with the likelihood of an existing clot breaking away from the venous wall and traveling to the lungs. This decision is made more problematic because clots can develop scar tissue, which is less susceptible to thrombolytic drugs.

Deep vein thrombosis is one of the dangerous clotting disorders linked to the contraceptive ring. It exposes women to a risk of pulmonary embolism, stroke, and myocardial infarction. If you have suffered abnormal clotting, DVT, or related Nuvaring problems, learn about your legal rights. Contact one of our Nuvaring lawyers to discuss your case.

Nuvaring side effects involving a pulmonary embolism pose dangerous health risks for some women, regardless of whether they have experienced blood clot problems in the past. The condition is usually caused when blood clots within the deep veins of the legs break away and travel to the heart. They migrate into one of the pulmonary arteries and eventually become lodged. If the clot prevents blood from reaching your lung tissue, that portion of your lung will sustain damage. Depending on the extent of this damage, you may suffer one or more long-term Nuvaring problems. Please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2010 news.

Long-Term Problems Caused By PE

A small pulmonary embolism may exist without presenting noticeable symptoms. Lacking obvious signs of a lung blockage, many people fail to realize they are suffering a PE. This is dangerous. If an obstruction is allowed to remain in one of the lung arteries, it can lead to progressive lung damage, heart damage, and other serious complications.

For example, small blood clots can become caught in a pulmonary artery and create a partial – rather than full – obstruction. Blood may be able to pass through the restricted opening to reach the lung tissue, but requires more pressure in order to do so. This cause a condition known as pulmonary hypertension. Over time, blood pressure within the arteries continues to build, forcing the right side of your heart to work harder. Right-sided heart failure often follows.

A large obstruction that is left untreated can cause a portion of your lung tissue to die. This is known as pulmonary infarction. The affected lung will become less capable of oxygenating blood for the rest of your body. If the lung tissue death is extensive, your other organs that depend on oxygen-rich blood may also sustain damage.

Nuvaring side effects causing a pulmonary embolism can also result in an arrhythmia. Most are minor, but they can occasionally disrupt the heart’s electrical signals. This can lead to clotting within the chambers. If clots form within the heart’s left atria or ventricle, they can break away, migrate to the brain, and cause a stroke.

Blood Thinners And Dietary Changes

Following a PE, your doctor will prescribe anticoagulant medications. The purpose of these drugs is to reduce the likelihood of further clotting, both in your leg veins and your heart. Therapy can range from a few weeks to twelve months, depending on whether you suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If your doctor suspects there is a high chance of clots causing a subsequent PE, he or she may recommend blood thinners indefinitely.

Long-term anticoagulant therapy is delivered with warfarin, which comes in pill form. The effects of this medication are influenced by the level of vitamin K in your body. For this reason, you’ll need to regulate the amount of vitamin K contained in foods you consume. Consistency is key. A dramatic increase or reduction requires a change in the dosage of warfarin.

Graduated Compression Stockings

Because DVT is one of the most common catalysts for pulmonary embolism, your doctor will recommend measures to encourage circulation in your legs. One method is to wear fitted compression stockings around calves. They are tighter near the ankle and become slightly looser as they rise toward the knee. These stockings promote blood flow and prevent pooling within the leg veins. While they can be effective, they are often uncomfortable.

Nuvaring Lawsuit 2010

The risk of a pulmonary embolism problems pose an ongoing risk for some women using the birth control ring. If you or someone you know has suffered DVT, PE, or other Nuvaring side effects, explore your legal rights. Contact a Nuvaring settlement lawyer to discuss your options.

NuvaRing side effects including blood clots, stroke and pulmonary embolism have been linked to women using this third-generation form of birth control. Many women reported no previous health issues related to blood clots and did not have any serious risk factors. Some studies suggest that side effects of NuvaRing are associated with the hormone desogestrel which can cause changes in the blood clotting system allowing blood clots to form more easily. NuvaRing birth control was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) on October 3, 2001 and first marketed in the United States in July 2002. NuvaRing is used by approximately 1.5 million women worldwide.

NuvaRing is a small flexible ring around 2 inches in diameter. NuvaRing is a relatively new type of combination hormonal contraceptive. It contains a combination of the hormones estrogen and etonogestrel which is a synthetic form of the progestin desogestrel. NuvaRing uses a different form of progestin compared to older contraceptives. Third generation contraceptives containing desogestrel have recently come under scrutiny due to the increased risk of blood clots (venous thrombosis). The newer progestins (desogestrel) in third generation contraceptives were intended to lessen the adverse effects caused by older contraceptives such as hirsutism, weight gain, and acne.

Combination hormonal contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestins. NuvaRing contains the progestin desogestrel which, according to studies going back to 1995, doubles the risk of blood clots compared to second generation oral contraceptives. Please contact us for the latest Nuvaring litigation news and information.

If a blood clot is suspected there are several possible test that a doctor may recommend. The initial test is usually an ultrasound. Additional tests may be used when ultrasound results are unclear. These tests may help diagnose or exclude a blood clot but are not frequently needed:

1. CT or MRI scans. Both computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide visual images of your veins and may show if a clot is present. Sometimes a venous thrombosis is found when these scans are performed for other reasons.
2. Blood test. Almost all people who develop severe deep vein thrombosis have an elevated blood level of a clot-dissolving substance called D-dimer. However, D-dimer is elevated in other conditions, too. Thus, a test for D-dimer is not very conclusive. It is most useful for ruling out DVT or identifying people at risk of recurrence.
3. Venography. A dye is injected into a large vein in your foot or ankle. An X-ray procedure creates an image of the veins in your legs and feet to look for clots. This test is used less frequently today because less invasive studies can usually confirm the diagnosis.

If you have suffered from problems after using the birth control ring please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit settlements news.

Some women using this newer form of birth control have developed side effects of Nuvaring. Blood clots in the form of DVT and pulmonary embolism have developed in women with no prior health problems. To diagnose deep vein thrombosis, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your history and symptoms. A physical exam will also be performed to examine any areas of swelling, tenderness or discoloration on your skin. Depending on how likely you are to have a blood clot, your doctor may suggest further testing. Many women suffering from Nuvaring side effects have undergone testing to see if they have developed a blood clot. Often they mistake blood clot symptoms for everyday aches and pains like just having a sore leg or a pulled muscle after working out. Please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit settlements news. Litigation is currently ongoing and no settlement have been announced by the manufacturer.

All women have a risk of having a blood clot while using hormone-based birth control like the pill, patch or birth control ring (Nuvaring) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women taking the pill have a four times greater risk of developing blood clots than non-users. For a woman with the factor V Leiden mutation, the risk increases 30 to 35 times with the pill and 13 to 15 times with HRT. Pregnant women have a risk of having a blood clot as well. For a pregnant woman with a factor V Leiden mutation, the risk increases 7 to 16 times. Some studies have shown that the hormones in Nuvaring birth control increase the risk of developing blood clots in otherwise healthy women. If you have suffered from a DVT, pulmonary embolism or stroke while using this contraceptive ring, please contact us to discuss your legal options including filing a Nuvaring lawsuit.

The initial test is usually an ultrasound. An ultrasound test measures the blood flow through your veins and helps find any clots that might be blocking the flow. Sometimes a series of ultrasounds are done over several days to determine whether a blood clot is growing or to be sure a new one has not developed.

Other tests may be used if ultrasound results are unclear. These alternative tests may help diagnose or exclude a blood clot but are not needed in many cases:

1. CT or MRI scans. Both computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide visual images of your veins and may show if there is a blood clot. Sometimes a venous thrombosis is found when these scans are performed for other reasons.

2. Blood test. Almost all people who develop severe DVT have an elevated blood level of a clot-dissolving substance called D-dimer. However, D-dimer is elevated in other conditions, too. Thus, a test for D-dimer is not conclusive and is most useful for ruling out DVT or identifying people at risk of recurrence.

3. Venography. A dye is injected into a large vein in your foot or ankle. An X-ray procedure creates an image of the veins in your legs and feet to look for clots. This test is used less frequently today because less invasive studies can usually confirm the diagnosis.

If you are treated with anticoagulant medicines, you may need periodic blood tests to monitor the effects of the anticoagulant on the blood. Blood tests include activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to monitor treatment with standard or unfractionated heparin, and prothrombin time (PT) or INR, to monitor treatment with warfarin (Coumadin).

Treatment must occur immediately with the goal of stopping your blood clot from getting larger, preventing the clot from breaking loose and flowing to your lungs, and preventing DVT from occurring again.

Serious Nuvaring side effects treatment options include:

1. Blood Thinners. Drugs used to treat blood clots include the use of anticoagulants. These are drugs that decrease your blood’s ability to clot. While they do not break up existing blood clots, they can help prevent existing clots from getting larger or reduce your risk of developing future clots. Common anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin. Heparin is given through a vein (intravenously, or IV) or as an injection. Warfarin is given as a pill. Treatment usually involves taking blood thinners for at least 3 months to prevent existing clots from growing.

2. Filters. If you are at a high risk for pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) and you cannot take medications to thin your blood, a vena cava filter may be used. The filter is inserted into the vena cava, the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the abdomen and legs. This filter prevents clots from breaking loose and traveling to your lungs.

3. Compression Stockings. These tight-fitting, elastic stockings are worn on the leg from your foot to about the level of your knee. This pressure helps reduce the chances that your blood will pool and clot.

If you have suffered from blood clot problems after using the birth control ring please contact us for a free consultation from one of our Nuvaring attorneys.

Nuvaring birth control side effects involving a stroke can occur without warning. Blood clots that block a carotid artery interrupt the supply of blood and oxygen to your brain. The tissue, deprived of this supply, begins to die. This triggers immediate side effects, including vision problems, paralysis, confusion, and loss of coordination. Medical treatment is necessary to minimize brain damage and restore blood flow. The earlier Nuvaring side effects stroke problems are treated, the better the odds for a full recovery.

The first step is diagnosing the event. Because different areas of your brain control various functions, doctors can often pinpoint the affected artery by noting your symptoms. Once a physical examination has been done, the following tests are performed to build a diagnosis and create an appropriate treatment plan.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

A cranial CT scan can help classify a stroke as ischemic rather than hemorrhagic, and thus is one of the first tests performed. Distinguishing the former from the latter will influence the form of treatment applied once a diagnosis has been formed.

You’ll be asked to lie on a table that slides into the center of a large scanner. The scanner generates images of your neck and head that display the arteries and blood vessels of your brain. While a CT scan is useful for displaying hemorrhages, it is less so for revealing clots.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A cranial MRI produces superior images compared to those generated from a conventional CT scan. Rather than using radiation (as is the case with CT scans), an MRI uses magnets and radio waves. The images are extremely accurate. They are sufficient for diagnosing Nuvaring blood clots that caused a stroke within moments of the first symptoms.

Similar to a CT scan, you’ll lie on a table that slides into the center of the imaging machine. If the radiologist wants to pay particular attention to specific areas of your brain, a contrast dye may be introduced through an IV. This is called a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and can be helpful in pinpointing Nuvaring blood clots that are blocking the carotid arteries.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD)

A TCD uses sound waves to measure the rate of blood flow through your brain’s blood vessels. These sound waves are monitored by a probe that tracks their frequency. As the velocity of blood flow changes, so too, does the frequency of the sound waves.

An increase in velocity through a blood vessel indicates a narrowing of the passageway. This suggests the presence of a blood clot.

Cerebral Angiography

Similar to an MRA, this test introduces a contrast dye into your carotid arteries and supporting blood vessels. The dye helps your doctor examine the venous and arterial network of your brain more closely than would be possible with the tests described thus far. Areas in which the dye’s passage is slowed or stopped suggest a partial or full obstruction, respectively.

Once this test has been completed – and perhaps long before – your doctor will have sufficient information to make a conclusive diagnosis. But the root cause of the stroke must also be identified.

Looking For The Origin Of Blood Clots

A number of tests are performed to examine other areas of the body from which blood clots may have arrived in the carotid arteries. For example, an electrocardiogram (ECG) will help your doctor detect heart arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, that may have caused clotting in the left atrium and ventricle.

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) uses ultrasound to produce images of your heart. These images can reveal clots that have already formed within these chambers.

If your doctor discovers a hole in the atrial septum (the wall separating your heart’s left and right atria), he will use ultrasound on your legs. This is done to look for evidence of clots in the deep veins, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A blood clot can break away from the vein’s wall, travel to your heart, cross through the atrial septum, and migrate into a carotid artery. This can trigger a stroke.

Nuvaring problems caused by a stroke can cause severe physical and mental impairments. If you have suffered from blood clots, DVT, stroke, or other side effects, learn about your legal rights. Contact one of our Nuvaring lawyers to discuss your options.

Nuvaring side effects involving a pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the lung arteries. It is caused by a blood clot, typically one that forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the lungs. The most common place for a thrombus (i.e. clot) to originate is in the deep veins of the legs. This is a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.

Nuvaring blood clots that form in the leg veins normally remain attached to the venous lining. As long as they do so, their immediate effects are usually limited to circulation issues and post-thrombotic syndrome. They pose a more serious danger if they break free from the vein’s wall. This allows them to travel with your bloodstream to your heart and lungs.

Blood is carried from your heart to your lungs through the pulmonary arteries. If a clot travels into one of these arteries, it can cause a blockage. This prevents blood from reaching your lung tissue, triggering a PE. For the latest news and filing deadlines for a Nuvaring lawsuit please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation.

Side Effects Of A Blocked Pulmonary Artery

When a portion of your lung tissue is starved of blood, it suffers damage. The extent of the damage depends on the size of the blockage and how long it persists. In some cases where the offending clot is extremely small, a PE may not present noticeable symptoms. In other cases where the clot is large or there are multiple small emboli creating one or more blockages, symptoms may be severe.

The most common side effect of a pulmonary embolism is a marked shortness of breath. This may be accompanied by chest pain, coughing, and other breathing difficulties, especially following strenuous activity. Some patients also experience symptoms similar to those associated with myocardial infarction (i.e. heart attack). These include pain in the jaw, arms, and neck.

If the PE persists for a prolonged period, or the blockage is substantial and starves a major portion of lung tissue, it can cause more serious side effects. You might experience a bloody cough, a severe drop in blood pressure, and even cardiac arrest. For this reason, the condition should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Diagnosing A Pulmonary Embolism

Unless the blockage is severe, diagnosing blood clots in the lungs may be problematic. This is because thrombi are not instantly identifiable on x-rays and other preliminary tests. Moreover, many of the symptoms patients present are not unique to PE; they may suggest unrelated conditions.

After taking x-rays and doing an electrocardiogram, your doctor may use ultrasound to detect thrombi in your leg veins. He or she may then order a lung scan (called a ventilation-perfusion scan) and computerized tomography (CT) scan to further support a suspicion of Nuva Ring blood clots in your lungs. If these tests cannot conclusively diagnose lung clots, a pulmonary angiogram is done. This test is invasive, but very accurate for diagnosing PE.

Treating The Condition

After your immediate symptoms have been brought under control, the priority shifts to clot prevention. Anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin are given to prevent further clotting from aggravating your condition.

If the blockage is large, your doctor may administer clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics. These might include reteplase, anistreplase, streptokinase, or a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). While thrombolysis is effective for dissolving dangerous clots, they pose a serious risk of bleeding.

If a thrombus is large enough to place your life in danger, your doctor may attempt to break it apart or surgically remove it. A technique called suction thrombectomy can be done to shatter the thrombus. This is accomplished with a rotating device positioned on the tip of a catheter. The alternative is a procedure called pulmonary embolectomy. It is performed to surgically extract the clot from the lung artery.

Nuvaring side effects involving pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know has suffered blood clots, DVT, PE, or other birth control ring side effects, invest the time to contact a Nuvaring lawsuit settlements attorney. You may have the right to file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer.