Protein S Deficiency
Protein S Deficiency: For The Person Without A PhD
It is very difficult to find basic, comprehensive information about protein S deficiency. Medical journals are created for the medical community, or those who understand the tough scientific phrasing used therein. But most people who need to know about protein S deficiency are just regular people like you and I. So here are a few of the more prominent details and facts about this condition, and what is being done to rectify the side effects of it.
Protein S, and the lack thereof, was discovered by a team of doctors in Seattle Washington in the 1950’s, and the naturally occurring element was named for its town of discovery. That said, let’s move along to what it does. Protein S is found in two separate forms within the human body. One is the free form, and this is the only one which can help to control protein C during the blood clotting process. The other form is actually bound to another type of protein, and can offer no assistance to protein C in the matter of healthy clotting. Protein S deficiency causes the coagulant factors in protein C to work continuously, which makes the formation of potentially deadly blood clots very possible. Without Protein S to deactivate the clotting process, we are basically walking time bombs.
There are three phases, or severities, of protein S deficiency. The first is classified by an insufficient amount of both forms of protein S. The second type of protein S deficiency is described as having a normal amount of both types of protein C, but having the element be defective. The third kind of protein S deficiency occurs when your overall count of protein S is up to par, but there is too much bound and not enough free. All three types of the condition are being researched for the possible parts that they may play in stroke and heart attack episodes.
Statistics show that one in one thousand people are prone to protein S deficiency, and that those with the condition have a 60% higher chance of suffering arterial clots, obstruction of blood flow to the heart, and stroke. High circulation playing such an absolute role in our health, well being, and longevity, consistent checkups, tests, and treatment are highly recommended by the medical community. Treatment of this condition depending upon the type and frequency of your symptoms, is offered through both oral and intravenous anticoagulant drugs. For cases in which only one abnormal clotting episode has been detected, the treatment usually lasts for about 3 months. For those who struggle more frequently with protein S deficiency and the rigors involved, treatment could be much more aggressive, and will most likely be ongoing.