Attention! Don't Ignore These Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms Any Longer!

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a serious health issue that causes a blood clot development in one of the deep veins of your body. This may occur if a vein sustains injury or blood flow inside it is interrupted or ceases entirely. A lower-body injury and surgery involving the hips or legs are two of the most prevalent risk factors for developing DVT, and it is very difficult to identify without any obvious symptoms. Because of this, medical professionals always emphasize preventing the formation of DVT through various treatments based on the requirements of each patient.   

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? 

If your veins are damaged or the blood flow through them is excessively slow, a thrombus (blood clot) may form in deep veins within your body, and this condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood flow through your vein may be partially or totally blocked by the blood clots, and the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis are the most common locations for DVTs. However, this condition can also develop in the arm, brain, intestines, or other organs.  

DVT may not pose a life-threatening risk itself, but the blood clots can potentially break loose and enter your blood circulation, and that is a worrying factor. When the moving blood clots, or emboli, become stuck in your lung's blood arteries, it results in a pulmonary embolism, which is a potentially fatal ailment. For that reason, you need to be careful about DVT symptoms and get treatment without delay if you are diagnosed with it.   

What are the Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Usually, the veins in your arms or legs are where a deep vein thrombosis occurs, and up to 30% of DVT patients experience no symptoms at all. However, sometimes there are minor symptoms that need to be taken seriously.  

• There are the typical deep vein thrombosis symptoms:
  
• Cramps in the leg that starts in the calf
  
• Edema in your leg, ankle, or foot
  
• A warm spot on the skin 
  
• Intense discomfort in your ankle and foot
  
• The skin of the affected area may become pale, reddish, or blue  
  

It's possible for someone to have an arm blood clot or upper extremity DVT, and if that occurs, typical symptoms consist of shoulder ache, neck pain, and edema in the hand or arm. It causes the skin to turn blue and causes arm weakness. It's possible that someone won't become aware of their deep vein thrombosis symptoms until they need emergency care for a pulmonary embolism. A deep vein thrombosis that travels from the arm or leg into the lung can cause a pulmonary embolism, and in this case, emergency care is necessary because the lung artery becomes clogged.

Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous medical condition, and if you believe you are suffering from DVT symptoms, you need to tell your doctor right away. A medical practitioner can examine your symptoms and prescribe an effective deep thrombosis treatment for you. The goal of DVT therapies is to stop the blood clot from spreading, and treatment may also lessen your chance of developing further clots and possibly avoid a pulmonary embolism. 

Here are the treatment options for deep vein thrombosis:

1. Medication

You may be prescribed medicine by your doctor to keep your blood from becoming thick. Using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as apixaban or rivaroxaban, is the recommended treatment method. A doctor may also prescribe other medications such as fondaparinux, enoxaparin, warfarin, and heparin.

Anticoagulant drugs impede the formation of blood clots and they also lessen the likelihood that you will acquire new clots. They can keep the size of any current clots to the lowest possible size. If the DVT is severe or blood thinners are ineffective, your doctor may prescribe thrombolytic medications for deep thrombosis treatment. Individuals who suffer from DVT in their upper extremities may also find this drug beneficial because thrombolytic medications function by dissolving clots.

2. Filters

If you are unable to take blood thinners, you may require a filter placed within the vena cava, a major vein in your abdomen. By preventing clots from entering your lungs, this therapy helps avoid pulmonary embolisms, however, there are certain hazards associated with filters. The filters can increase the risk of forming new clots if kept in for an extended period of time. That is why blood thinners can be administered after a brief duration of filter usage, which lowers the risk of thromboembolism. 

3. Compression Stockings

Compression stockings can help reduce swelling, and the danger of blood clots, and these can be worn directly above or slightly below the knee. You could be advised by your doctor to wear them every day to reduce your symptoms.   

4. Surgery

If you have a deep vein thrombosis clot in your arm or leg, your doctor could advise surgery to remove it. You need to remember that this is usually only advised in cases of very big clots or clots that result in major problems, such as tissue destruction. 

Your surgeon will create an incision into the vein in order to perform a surgical thrombectomy, also known as a blood clot removal. They'll find the clot and remove it from the vein. Occasionally, a small inflatable balloon could be used to keep the blood artery open while the clot is being removed. The balloon is taken out together with the clot when it is removed. Surgery carries some risks, such as infection, excessive bleeding, and vein damage, so many doctors will only suggest it in the most dire circumstances.   

How to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis?

If you have DVT or are at a high risk of forming DVT, you must follow your doctor's instructions in order to lower your chance of developing DVT-related complications in the future. Doctors may advise you to modify your lifestyle and eat better, exercise more, and abstain from tobacco products. Maintaining your follow-up consultations with your physician is very important because that informs your doctor on the efficacy of your treatment.   

If you have never experienced a DVT but are at a high risk of getting one, follow these methods to prevent deep vein thrombosis:   

• If you're on a lengthy road trip, get out of the vehicle every hour and walk a bit. 
  
• Warm up your calf muscles if you must spend a lot of time sitting motionless.  
  
• If your flight is long, get up and move about every thirty minutes. 
  
• After any surgery, start walking as soon as possible.  
  

Final Remarks

Deep vein thrombosis is a dangerous illness that has the potential to be fatal, and you need to be careful of the symptoms to avoid complications. Unfortunately, identifying DVT can be challenging as many patients do not exhibit any symptoms. Knowing the risk factors is crucial for this reason, and having regular physical checkups is the best way to avoid DVT.  

Only a healthcare professional can recommend effective treatment, such as medicine or other therapies, for this condition. They may give you multiple tests and do a physical checkup to look for the signs of deep vein thrombosis and make a diagnosis.  

Contact Pathkind Labs today to get the tests done by expert technicians!