DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition when a blood clot forms in a vein inside a human body. A clot is a cause of the blood that moves slowly through your veins. It’s a form of a clump of blood cells.
This condition forms in your thigh or lower leg. But it can also form in different areas in your body. A DVT can cause an illness that leads to a serious problem. And even fatal. DVT can cure and prevent if you discover it early.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Every person must be aware of DVT and PE when it occurs. People with DVT sometimes show no symptoms. But when you have PE, seek for a medical care right away. It can cause fatal ho human. You can always have PE, without the symptoms of DVT.
Symptoms of DVT:
- Swelling of affected areas
- Pain
- Tenderness of affected areas
- Enlarged Veins
- Redness of the skin
Symptoms of PE:
- Short breathing
- Irregular heart beating
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Having a low blood pressure
COMPLICATIONS OF DVT
Having a DVT can cause different illness if not caught early. Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a serious complication of DVT. About 30% of affected people are at risk of having another illness. The other one is Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). It’s a condition caused by the damage of the clot to the valves in the vein. A person with PTS may experience skin redness, pain, and swelling. It can also cause an ulcer.
RISK FACTOR
The lists below are factors with higher chance to develop DVT:
Injury in Vein Causes:
- Severe Muscle injury
- Bone Fracture
- Major Surgery
Slow Blood Flow Causes:
- Paralysis
- Limited Movement
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged bed stay
Estrogen Increase Causes:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy
- Birth Control Pills
Certain Illnesses such as:
- Cancer
- Lung Disease
- Heart Disease
- Bowel Disease/Crohn’s Disease
Other factors at risk:
- Family History
- Age of a person
- An obese person
- Smoker
- A catheter placed in veins
- A person with previous DVT or PE
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis for this condition requires the following:
- Medical History such as:
- Medicines that you’re taking
- Recent surgeries
- Your overall health
- Physical Exam
- Checking of your signs for DVT
- Checking your blood pressure, heart, and lungs.
- Diagnostic Tests such as:
- Ultrasound
- Venography
- A D-dimer Test
- Other Common Test (MRI, CT Scan)
PREVENTION
The following tips will help you in preventing DVT such as:
- Exercise Regularly.
- See your doctor for a regular check-up.
- Do some stretching and exercising of arms and legs when you travel.
- Wear loose fit clothes.
- Quit smoking.
- Stay hydrated.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
TREATMENT
A medication is used to help in preventing DVT. Anticoagulants drugs is used to relieve pain. For PE it needs a serious medical attention to treat this condition. But there are drugs called thrombolytics used to dissolve the clot.
Treatment for DVT:
- Warfarin
- Rivaroxaban
- Apixaban
- Heparin
- Compression stocking
- Exercising
- Inferior Vena Cava Filters
- Raising your Leg
Treatment for PE:
- Thrombolytic Drugs (Eminase, Retavase)
- Catheter
- Inferior Vena Cava Filter
- Compression stocking
- Surgery