WHAT IS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition where a blood clot  forms in one or more of the deep veins in a person’s body, usually in the legs. It can cause leg pain, tenderness or swelling and may become life threatening. 

Some causes of DVT are restricted blood circulation or normal clotting. These could be because of an  injury to a vein, surgery, certain medications or even limited movement such as sitting long hours in a flight without movement.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) 

Deep vein thrombosis symptoms can possibly include:

• Swelling in the affected leg

• Pain and Warmth in the leg 

• Red or discolored skin on the affected leg

However in some cases there are absolutely no symptoms.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

Diagnosis: Patient will undergo a physical examination so that the doctor checks for areas of swelling, tenderness or discoloration on his or her skin. Depending on the predisposition of having DVT, additional tests may be recommended such as , ultrasound, Blood tests, Venography , CT or MRI scans 

Treatment: The objective of the treatment is to  prevent the clot from getting bigger and breaking loose and causing a pulmonary embolism. Various treatment options include:

• Treating DVT with blood thinners

• In case of an inability to take blood thinners , patient might have a filter inserted into a large vein — the vena cava — in  abdomen that would prevent clots that break loose from lodging in lungs.

• Compression stockings - To help prevent swelling associated with deep vein thrombosis. They help reducing the chances that blood will pool and clot ,et cetera.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A Doctor must be consulted immediately if following symptoms prevail: 

• unexplained shortness of breath

• chest pain or discomfort that worsens while breathing and coughing 

• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

• rapid pulse rate

• blood in the cough

2. Some risk factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing DVT:

• Genes

• Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long hospital stay, or paralysis 

• Injury to the veins or surgery 

• The risk of blood clots from pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after delivery

• Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy

• Overweight 

• Smoking

• Some forms of Cancer

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

3. Some complications of DVT can be: 

• Pulmonary embolism: occurs when a blood vessel in the lung becomes blocked by a blood clot (thrombus) that travels to  the lungs from another part of the body, usually the leg. This could be life threatening. 

• Postphlebitic Syndrome : damage to the veins from the blood clot reduces blood flow in the affected areas causing swelling, pain, skin discoloration, skin sores, etcetera

     4. Prevention steps include lifestyle changes, weight loss, quitting smoking etc.