US Measles Outbreak Turns Alarming—CDC Recommends Booster Shot For Some Travellers
US Measles Outbreak Turns Alarming—CDC Recommends Booster Shot For Some Travellers (Image Credits: i...
Read More
Last month, Markovic revealed she was undergoing surgery for the condition which causes an abnormal tangle of blood vessels (Pic: Instagram/iStock)
A stunning 27-year-old Australian model passed away due to arteriovenous malformation, or AVM—a rare brain disease. Lucy Markovic - who rose to fame as the runner-up on Australia's Next Top Model before going on to work with Versace and Armani—suffered extreme complications from the surgery.
Last month, Markovic revealed she was undergoing surgery for the condition that causes an abnormal tangle of blood vessels, specifically arteries and veins, that bypass the normal capillary network. This disrupts the usual blood flow and can prevent tissues from receiving sufficient oxygen and nutrients. AVMs can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most common in the brain and spinal cord.
What is AVM?
An arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that looks like a bird’s nest. The tangle is made of arteries that would normally provide blood to your brain and veins that would normally drain blood from brain tissue.
Blood moves through your body within an organized closed circuit of blood vessels. According to experts, your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your brain and to the rest of your body’s organs and tissues. Your veins return oxygen- and nutrient-poor blood and waste products from tissues back to your heart and lungs.
Arteriovenous malformations are rare and are present in about one in 100,000 people. Anyone can be born with an AVM. According to doctors, providers mainly discover them in people from ages 20-40 years.
Signs and symptoms of Arteriovenous malformation
A few signs and symptoms of Arteriovenous malformation may include:
- Seizures
- Severe headaches
- Muscle weakness or complete paralysis
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Dizziness
- Problems with movement, speech, memory, thinking, balance, or vision
- Mental confusion, hallucinations
- Back pain
- Breathlessness
- Coughing up blood
- Abdominal pain
- Pain and swelling
What causes arteriovenous malformation?
According to experts, there is no specific reason why arteriovenous malformations happen. However, they believe that you are born with them an are likely to develop during fetal development, meaning they are congenital. AVMs may also be hereditary in rare cases.
How does an arteriovenous malformation affect your body?
AVMs cause harm in the following ways:
Bleeding
The force of the blood flow from your arteries brings a lot of pressure to the AVM. Veins have weak walls and can’t always adjust to the pressure of blood flow. If your veins can’t handle the blood pressure, they might burst and bleed.
Pressing on body parts
An abnormal connection results in more blood in your veins. Veins can get big and press on nearby tissue. This not only prevents oxygenation but also impacts draining through your lymphatic system.
Depleting tissues of needed oxygen
Since there is no capillary bridge between arteries and veins, oxygen and nutrients don’t get to the tissue where there’s an AVM. The tissue and nerve cells at that site can die.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
Our Blog
Read Our Latest Blog
This Common Virus Could Triple Your Risk Of Death — Are You At Risk?
This Common Virus Could Triple Your Risk Of Death — Are You At Risk? (Image Credits: iStock) A commo...
Read More