Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that leads to the formation of blood clots in the veins that are deep in the body. DVT can occur in any part of the body, but it mostly occurs in the legs, thighs, and pelvis. DVT can cause severe pain and swelling. You should consider treatment to avoid serious health issues. Several treatment options are available to treat DVT.
Common Symptoms of DVT
In most cases, DVT occurs in the legs and arms. About 30% of people with DVT may not have any signs and in some cases the signs are mild. However, the following can be some noticeable signs:
- Swelling in the legs and arms
- Changes in the skin colour of legs. The colour change is based on your skin colour
- Warmth feeling in the affected region than usual
- Tenderness in the legs while standing and walking
- Veins on the skin surface become larger than usual
- Seizures and chronic headache
- Abdominal pain if the veins inside the stomach get affected
In a few cases, people with DVT may not be aware of their condition until the clots move from the affected portion to the lungs. If you ever experience any of these signs, consider visiting a doctor as early as possible to avoid serious problems. Do not delay and wait for the symptoms to go away and seek immediate medical assistance.
Why Does Deep Vein Thrombosis Occur?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is mainly caused by damage to any of the veins during surgery or due to an inflammation. However, the following factors can increase the risk of developing DVT:
- The use of birth control pills or hormonal replacement therapy can cause blood clots
- Surgery or an injury to the veins
- Though DVT can occur at any age, the chances increase as you get older
- During pregnancy, pressure increases in the veins in the legs and pelvis. As a result, the risk of developing blood clots is high
- People who are overweight can experience more pressure in the veins in the legs and pelvis
- Having or had chemotherapy treatment
- Family history of DVT
- Sitting for longer durations
- History of autoimmune diseases such as lupus
- Smoking and consumption of alcohol
- Having certain cancers can increase the chances of blood clots
- Heart failure
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
In some cases, DVT can occur without any identifiable cause. This is called an unprovoked DVT.
Diagnosis of DVT
To diagnose DVT, the doctor will conduct a physical examination, and asks about your medical history and the signs you are experiencing. If the doctor thinks that you have DVT, he will conduct tests to rule out other causes and to diagnose DVT. The following are the different tests that might be performed:
- Duplex ultrasound: This is the common test used for diagnosing DVT and it is less invasive. Pressure will be applied to the affected area during the scanning. If the veins do not compress due to the pressure, it indicates a blood clot.
- Venography: It is an invasive and rarely used test. A dye is injected into the vein in the foot or ankle. This helps to know if the blood clots are obstructing the blood flow inside the veins.
- MRI and CT scan: MRI and CT scans provide clear pictures of the structures inside the body. These imaging tests are used if the DVT occurs in the abdomen.
Treatment for DVT
The treatment for deep vein thrombosis focuses on preventing the formation of large blood clots, movement of blood clots towards the lungs and also stopping the occurrence of another DVT. The treatment options include the following:
- Medications: The doctor prescribes blood thinners to prevent the further formation of new blood clots. They also stop blood clots from becoming large. You should use blood thinners only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Clot busters: If other medications do not work, clot busters are prescribed. They are also used in case of severe DVT.
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters: If you are unable to take blood thinner medications, a small filter is inserted into the inferior vena cava in the abdomen. This filter can stop the blood clot from moving towards the lungs.
- Compression stockings: Compression stockings are suggested to prevent leg swelling. These stockings are tight at the ankle and loose at the knees. This causes pressure on your legs and prevents blood from pooling in the veins. Compression stockings are proven to reduce swelling and leg pain by 50%.
- Surgery: Surgery is performed when the blood clots are very large and are causing serious issues. During the surgery, a small incision will be made into the blood vessel to remove the blood clot.
Visit Klavo Clinics for the Best Deep Thrombosis Treatment
If you or your loved one have any signs of DVT, Klavo Clinic is your go to place. We at Klavo have senior speciality doctors who are available at your convenient timings. We have treated several patients suffering from DVT and we are excelled in it. Our main goal is to offer our services at an affordable price to ensure everyone can afford our services. To know more or to discuss your condition, call us today.