What is Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT)?
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that usually
forms deep inside the leg. An estimated
half million Americans every year have this condition with about 100,000 dying
from it. The dangerous part of this condition
is when a blood clot breaks off inside the vein and travels through the
bloodstream and can get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow that causes
organ damage and even death.
Symptoms of DVT
The symptoms of DVT are swollen legs below the knee, redness,
tenderness and pain in the area of the clot.
People who have DVT may or may not have symptoms or warning signs.
Pulmonary Embolism
This happens when the blood clot has moved inside the lungs
and blocks blood supply. It causes
breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, fast heart rate and coughing up
blood. If you experience any of these
symptoms, get prompt medical attention.
What Causes DVT?
When the inner lining of the vein is damaged due to surgery,
injury or the immune system—DVT can result.
If your blood is thick and flows slowly, you’ll more likely have a clot
and the vein has suffered damage. People
with certain genetic disorders or have more estrogen are more at risk for blood
clots.
Who Can Get DVT?
People who at high risk for DVT are those with cancer, have
had surgery, on extended bed rest, are aging, those who smoke, are overweight
or obese and sit for long periods of time like a flight or long car trip.
Pregnancy
Women are also more likely to develop DVT during pregnancy
4-6 weeks after having given birth. It
they have high levels of estrogen—the chances of getting a blood clot are
easier because the pressure in the uterus can slow down blood flow to the
veins, not to mention if you have certain blood disorder as well.
Hormone Therapy
Birth control pills and treatments for postmenopausal
symptoms can also raise the estrogen in a woman’s blood. There is also an increased risk of DVT if
there is no blood disorder.
If Your Trapped in
Your Seat
If you’re traveling on an long-extended international flight
and have been sitting for long periods of time—4 hours or more—can double the
risk of developing DVT. It doesn’t
matter if you’re on an airplane, train, bus or car either. The cramped seating and not moving around
frequently slows or blocks blood flow in the veins.
When to Get a
Diagnosis?
Your doctor can check for signs of DVT by asking about your
medical history, any medications you’re taking, medical problems with
relatives—things that can put you at risk.
A doctor will perform an ultrasound that uses sound waves to see the
blood flow and reveal any clots. Other
tests you may need are a blood test called a d-dimer.
Blood Thinners
Drugs called anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, are the
most common way to treat DVT, although it doesn’t really thin the blood. What they do is make them less sticky and
form new clots. While it won’t break up
clots already formed, they do dissolve over time. You can either take a pill or get an injection
by needle.
Side Effects of Blood
Thinners
Side effects you can get are bruises or bleeding. Ask your doctor, because on certain blood
thinners, you may need to watch what you eat.
The lab will usually check your blood to see if you have the right
amount of drug in your body. Newer
medications can make it harder to stop the bleeding if you have an accident—so
let you doctor know if you bleed a lot with minor injuries.
Internal Bleeding
You can bleed inside your body, even if you can’t see
it. Signs of bleeding in your stomach
are pain, vomiting is red or looks like coffee grounds, or you have red or
black stools. Symptoms for bleeding in
the brain are severe headaches, vision changes, unnatural movements and
confusion. If you have any of these
symptoms, see a doctor or get to a ER immediately.
Vena Cava Filter
Your doctor can suggest filter in the biggest vein called
the Vena Cava if, for some reason, you can’t take blood thinners, or they don’t
work. This will catch the breakaway
clots and prevents them from entering the lungs and heart. while it won’t stop clots from forming or
cure DVT—but will prevent the dangerous condition of a pulmonary embolism.
Clot Busters
Medications used to dissolved blood clots are called
thrombolytics. While it causes sudden,
severe bleeding, your doctor will only use it in an emergency to dissolve
life-threatening blood clots in the lung.
You can also get a thrombolytics in your I.V. in the hospital.
Compression Stockings
You can get special stockings that will ease pressure in
your legs and keep your blood moving.
They prevent blood clots from forming and reduce swelling, easing
discomfort in the leg where the blood clot has formed. Look for compression stockings over-the-counter,
or get a prescription form your doctor if you need one with more pressure. You can also wear them at home as well.
Keep Your Feet Up
Sit with your feet elevated and raise as much as possible to
let the blood flow in your veins upward and toward your heart. This will lessen the swelling and discomfort
in the leg with DVT.
Long-Term Effects
Even if the blood clot is gone, there is often an unpleasant
reminder like long-term swelling and
changes in your skin where the clot formed as well as pain. Referred to as post-thrombotic syndrome,
symptoms can reappear as soon as one year after a clot has dissolved.
Exercise
Using your muscles can better promote blood flow, especially
if you use your lower leg muscles. If
you sit at a desk all day—take plenty of
breaks to stretch the legs. Stand up
often and step away for a few minutes, and regular exercise keeps you healthy
and can lower your risk of DVT.
Travel Tips
If you are traveling for more than 4 hours, try to avoid
tight clothing and get plenty of water.
If you can, walk around frequently every couple of hours. If you have to remain seated, try to stretch
or move your legs. An exercise to try is
clenching, releasing your calves and thighs, lift your lower heels with your
toes on the floor. Once you get to your
destination, do a lot of sightseeing by foot.
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