It's no secret that taking care of yourself now can save you tons of money and stress on future health problems. Doing so can be stressful in itself, but only if you don't know what to look out for. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a serious condition that can be brought on by a number of situations. If it is caught early enough, it can usually be safely resolved; however, when recognized too late it can sometimes be fatal. It is estimated that as many as 30-40% of DVT cases aren't noticed in time. This article will focus on many of the facets of DVT including what causes it, symptoms to look out for and the potential treatment methods that can solve DVT. Read on to learn what to look for and how you can avoid this preventable condition.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a type of clot and should be treated as such when considering what causes it and how to treat it. There are several risk factors, and some of them can be classified as modifiable while others are nonmodifiable. Modifiable risk factors, or things that you are able to change, can include things like obesity, smoking, and any type of prolonged sedentary lifestyle. This can include those with limited mobility, pregnant women, and any other patient who is on bed rest for any reason. This can also include surgical patients during surgery and in the recovery period afterward. Blood is left to pool in a certain spot and doesn't have the chance to circulate properly, leading to a clot. If left untreated, these clots can dislodge and travel to the lungs, where they cause further complications.
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis are going to be fairly obvious if you know what to look for. They typically occur in your legs as this is where your blood supply has the most difficulty returning to your heart. Additionally, this is also where your blood is more likely to pool if, for example, you are laying in a bed. The clot is going to essentially cause a roadblock in your circulation, and this is going to show up as a reddened area on your skin. The area is also going to feel hardened and will be warm to the touch. Another telltale sign is if this is occurring in only one of your legs and not the other.
Treating Deep Vein Thrombosis
Treatment for deep vein thrombosis must be swift and begin as soon as the condition is noticed in order to prevent further complications from happening. Initially, your doctor should be made aware of this finding, or your nurse if you are in a hospital or clinical setting. You will likely be started on various types of medication depending on your specific medical history and as determined by your team of doctors. Blood thinners and clot busters are the most common medication types. Clot busters will do exactly what their name implies and help break down the clot. Depending on the specific medication, they need to be given within a very specific time frame in order to work properly. Blood thinners will, as expected, help thin your blood so that it has an easier time circulating through your body. Compression stockings will likely be fitted for you, or something similar depending on your setting. This helps improve circulation and returns blood to the heart rather than letting it stay in one spot. Lastly, your doctor may need to surgically implant a filter near your lungs. This helps prevent any clots or pieces of clots that break off travel to your lungs where they can be fatal. With the proper steps in place, the chances of recovery from a deep vein thrombosis are very good.