What is DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms inside a
vein, usually deep within your leg. As
many as 000,000 Americans a year get one, and up to 100,000 die because of
it. The danger is that part of the clot
can break off and travel through your bloodstream. It could get stuck in your lungs and block
blood flow, causing organ damage or death.
Symptoms
A common symptom of DVT is a leg swollen below the
knee. You may have redness and
tenderness or pain in the area of the clot.
But you won’t always have these. About half of people with DVT get no warning
signs.
Pulmonary Embolism
This is a clot that moves into your lungs and blocks the
blood supply. It can cause trouble
breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and
coughing up blood. If you have any of
tese, call 011 and get medical care right away.
What Cause DVT?
Anything that damages the inner lining of a vein may cause
DVT – surgery, an injury, or your immune system. If your blood is thick or flows slowly, it’s
more likely to form a clot, especially in a vein that’s already damaged. People who have certain genetic disorders or
more estrogen in their system are more likely to have blood clots, too.
Who Is Likely to Get DVT?
Some people with a higher risk are those who:
·
Have cancer
·
Have had surgery
·
Are on extended bed rest
·
Are older
·
Smoke
·
Are overweight or obese
·
Sit for long times, like on a long airplane
flight
Pregnancy
Women are more likely to develop DVT during pregnancy and in
4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. That’s
when they have higher levels of estrogen, which may make blood clot more
easily. The pressure of their expanding
uterus can slow blood flow in the veins as well. Certain blood disorders can boost their
chances of having DVT even more.
Hormone Therapy
Like pregnancy, birth control pills and some treatments for
postmenopausal symptoms raise the amount of estrogen in a women’s blood. That can increase the odds of getting DVT.
Trapped in Your Seat
Travel to new and faraway places can be exciting! Squishing into a coach seat for a long
international flight is not. Studies
show long-distance travel – a trip that lasts more than 4 hours – doubles the
chance of developing DVT. It doesn’t
matter if you go by air, bus, train, or car.
when you’re in a cramped seat and
don’t move around, your blood flow slows.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will check you for signs of DVT. He may also ask about your medical history,
medications you’re taking, medical problems of close relatives, and thing that
raise your chances of having this condition.
An ultrasound is the most common way to confirm you have it. The test uses sound waves to “see” the blood
flow and reveal a clot. You might also
need other tests, such as a blood test called a d-dimer.
Blood Thinners
Drugs called anticoagulants are the most common way to treat
DVT. Although they’re known as blood
thinners, they don’t really thin your blood.
They make it less “sticky” to prevent new blood clots from forming. They can’t break up a clot you already have,
but they will give your body time to dissolve one on its own. You take these medications in a pill or by
needle.
Side Effects of Blood Thinners
People who take these medications may get bruises often or
bleed more easily. When you take certain
ones, you’ll need to watch what you eat.
And you may need to go to a lab regularly to get your blood
checked. Newer medications make it
harder to stop bleeding if you have an accident.
Let your doctor know if you bleed a lot from minor injuries.
Internal Bleeding
Blood thinners can also make it easier to bleed inside your
body, where you can’t see it. Bleeding
in your belly can cause pain, vomit that’s red or looks like coffee grounds,
and bright red or black stools. Bleeding
in your brain can bring on severe headaches, vision changes, unnatural
movements, and confusion. Call 911 or go
to the emergency room if you notice any of these symptoms.
Vena Cava Filter
If you can’t take blood thinners or they aren’t working,
your doctor may recommend putting a filter into your biggest vein, called the
vena cava. This filter catches breakaway
clots and stops them from getting into your lungs and heart. it won’t stop new clots from forming or cure
DVT, but it can help stop a dangerous pulmonary embolism.
Clot Busters
Medications that dissolve blood clots are called
thrombolytics. They can cause sudden,
severe bleeding, so doctors se them only in emergencies – to dissolve a
life-threatening blood clot in your lung, for example. You get thrombolytics by IV in a hospital.
Compression Stockings
These special socks put gentle pressure on your legs to keep
your blood moving. They help keep clots
from forming as well as keep swelling down and relieve pain where a clot has
formed. You can get compression
stockings over the counter but your doctor will need to write a prescription
for ones with more pressure. Wear them
even when you’re at home.
Keep Your Feet Up
When you can, sit with your feet resting off the floor to
raise your legs. You’ll make it easier
for the blood in your veins to flow up toward your heart. This can lessen the swelling and discomfort
in the leg with DVT.
Long-Term Effects
Once a blood clot is gone, DVT sometimes leaves behind an
unpleasant reminder. You may see
long-term swelling or changes in skin color where the clot was. Or it could hurt. These symptoms, known as post-thrombotic
syndrome, sometimes show up as much as a year after a clot.
Exercise
Use your muscles to get blood flowing. Work your lower leg muscles especially. When you’re not active – at your desk, for
example – take breaks to stretch your legs.
Stand up. Step away for a bit.
Regular exercise also helps keep you at a healthy weight,
and that lowers your odds of having DVT, too.
Travel Tips
When traveling will keep you seated for more than 4 hours,
don’t wear tight clothing, and drink plenty of water. Get up and walk around at least every couple
of hours. If you have to stay in your
seat, stretch and move your legs. Try
clenching and releasing your calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your
heels with your toes on the floor. Do
plenty of sightseeing by foot once you arrive!
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