How to identify the symptoms of venous thrombosis
Author: Aaeron ehast
Venous thrombosis (DVT) is a disease in which blood clots form (thrombus) in your body. Usually form in medium and large deep veins of the legs and thighs. Often formed when the viscosity changes and blood velocity. Thick and slow blood is prone to clotting. The blood clot that blocks blood flow to the legs to your heart causing the typical symptoms of DVT.
A thrombus can travel from its point of formation, which is usually the deep veins of the thigh, into the bloodstream. Once you have entered the bloodstream, the clot is now called an embolus, and can cause serious damage to vital organs like the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys.
There are some people more likely to develop DVT because of the risk factors they possess. One risk factor is prolonged immobilization. People who are in bed for a long time, such as post-operative or paralyzed are at risk. No longer used in the calf muscles, blood stands still to promote clot formation. Another common risk factor is an increased tendency for blood to clot (hypercoaguable). Examples include pregnant women, smokers, those who use birth control pills and cancer patients. There have been studies showing that people are genetically predisposed to developing DVT. Several family members may be affected by the condition.
About 50% of cases of deep vein thrombosis have no symptoms. However, the other 50% may have symptoms such as:
Check the legs. Are both legs symmetrical or leg is swollen? Is inflammation involved the ankle and foot? Edema or swelling of the affected leg is common in deep vein thrombosis. May extend from the calf to toe.
Inspect the skin over the affected area. Does it look red, compared with its environment? Or does appear blue? Skin color suggests an inflammation of the area (pink) or a commitment to the area blood supply or drainage (blue).
Ask if the person is experiencing some pain in the affected leg. Is cramping pain in the? Intermittent, cramping pain in the affected leg is typical of DVT. Occurs both at rest and during activity.
Touching the skin over the affected leg. Does the person complain of pain while they were touching it? Is the area warm to touch? Tenderness and heat are both signs of inflammation.
It is imperative that seeks to consult a doctor if any of the above symptoms, especially if you have a risk factor. It is also important to remember that although the symptoms may seem minimal, can worsen over time if left untreated. You can even experience a devastating yet common complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism. Occurs when an embolus in the leg blocks the blood supply to the lungs causing breathing difficulties and even death.
There are several ways to prevent the formation of deep vein thrombosis. One of the simplest ways is to use compression stockings, especially if your job requires a long time yet as surgeons and guards. Tighten your calf muscles by forcing blood to return to the heart. If tolerated, postoperative patients should be encouraged to walk as soon as possible, to prevent blood stagnation. Apart from mechanical treatments, drugs such as anticoagulants or blood thinners are useful options for those whose blood clots easily.