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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of your body's deep veins, commonly in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause limb pain or edema, but it can also occur without warning.
If you have certain medical disorders that alter how your blood clots, you may get DVT. A blood clot in your legs can also occur if you do not move for an extended period of time, such as after surgery or an accident, after traveling a long distance, or when on bed rest.
Deep vein thrombosis is dangerous because blood clots in your veins can break free, travel through your system, and become lodged in your lungs, obstructing blood flow (pulmonary embolism). Despite the absence of DVT, pulmonary embolism can develop.
When DVT and pulmonary embolism coexist, the condition is known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DTV?
DVT symptoms and indicators may include:
- Leg swelling: Swelling in both legs occurs infrequently.
- Leg pain: The pain usually begins in your calf and feels like cramping or soreness.
- Leg skin that is red or discolored.
- A warm sensation in the affected limb.
- Deep vein thrombosis can develop without warning.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DTV?
A blood clot can be caused by anything that hinders your blood from flowing or clotting normally.
DVT is caused mostly by damage to a vein caused by surgery or trauma, as well as inflammation caused by infection or injury.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DTV?
Many factors can raise your chances of acquiring DVT. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to get DVT. DVT risk factors include:
- Age: DVT can occur at any age, however it is more common in people over the age of 60.
- Long periods of sitting, such as when driving or flying: Calf muscles do not contract when your legs are immobile for hours. Muscle contractions generally aid in the circulation of blood.
- Prolonged bed rest, such as that experienced after a lengthy hospital stay, or paralysis: If your calf muscles do not move for an extended period of time, blood clots can form.
- Heart disease: This raises your chances of developing DVT and pulmonary embolism. Because persons with heart failure have impaired heart and lung function, even little pulmonary embolisms create more visible symptoms.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: DVT risk is increased by bowel illnesses such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
- A family or personal history of DVT or PE: If you or a family member has had one or both of these, you may be at a higher risk of developing DVT.
- Genetics: Some people inherit genetic risk factors or illnesses that cause their blood to clot more easily, such as factor V Leiden. An hereditary condition may not produce blood clots on its own unless it is paired with one or more other risk factors.
- Surgery or injury: Blood clots might be increased by injury to your veins or surgery.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy raises the pressure in your pelvic and leg veins. Women who have an inherited clotting condition are especially vulnerable. Pregnancy can increase your risk of blood clots for up to six weeks after giving birth.
- Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills (oral contraceptives): Both can improve the ability of your blood to clot.
- Obesity or being overweight: Being overweight puts strain on the veins in your pelvis and legs.
- Smoking: Smoking interferes with blood coagulation and circulation, increasing your risk of DVT.
- Cancer: Some cancers raise the levels of chemicals in your blood that cause it to clot. Some cancer treatments also raise the risk of blood clots.
- There is no identified risk factor: A blood clot in a vein might occur when there is no obvious risk factor. This is known as an unprovoked VTE.
HOW IS DTV DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms in order to diagnose DVT. You'll also undergo a physical exam so your doctor can look for areas of edema, discomfort, or skin color changes.
The tests you have will be determined by whether your doctor believes you are at a low or high risk of DVT. The following tests are used to diagnose or rule out a blood clot:
- Blood test for D-dimer: D dimer is a protein that is generated by blood clots. Almost all persons with severe DVT had elevated D dimer levels in their blood. A normal D-dimer test result can often help rule out PE.
- Duplex ultrasound: This noninvasive test creates images of how blood flows through your veins using sound waves. It is the standard test for determining DVT. A technician will gently slide a small hand-held device (transducer) on your skin over the body area being evaluated during the examination. A series of ultrasounds may be performed over a few days to evaluate whether a blood clot is developing or to look for a new one.
- Venography: In your foot or ankle, a dye is injected into a big vein. To look for clots, an X-ray provides an image of the veins in your legs and feet. Because the test is intrusive, it is rarely used. Other tests, such as ultrasound, are frequently performed first.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This test may be used to detect DVT in the veins of the abdomen.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR DVT?
DVT treatment has three primary targets.
- Stop the clot from growing larger.
- Stop the clot from escaping and migrating to the lungs.
- Reduce your risks of experiencing another DVT.
Treatment options for DVT include:
- Blood thinners: DVT is typically treated using anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners. These medications do not dissolve existing blood clots, but they can keep them from growing larger and lower your chance of acquiring new clots.
Blood thinners can be taken orally, intravenously, or subcutaneously. Heparin is commonly administered intravenously. Enoxaparin (Lovenox) and fondaparinux are the most regularly used injectable blood thinners for DVT (Arixtra).
After a few days of taking an injectable blood thinner, your doctor may transfer you to a tablet. Warfarin (Jantoven) and dabigatran are two examples of blood thinners that you can take (Pradaxa).
Certain blood thinners do not require an IV or injection beforehand. These medications include rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), and edoxaban (Savaysa). They can be started as soon as a diagnosis is made.
You may need to take blood thinner tablets for at least three months. To avoid major side effects, it is critical to take them exactly as directed.
If you take warfarin, you will require regular blood tests to determine how long your blood takes to clot. Certain blood-thinning drugs should not be taken by pregnant women.
- Clot busters: These treatments, also known as thrombolytics, may be administered if you have a more dangerous type of DVT or PE, or if other medications aren't working.
These medications are administered by IV or through a tube (catheter) inserted directly into the clot. Clot busters can cause severe bleeding, hence they are often reserved for patients with severe blood clots.
- Filters: If you are unable to take blood-thinning medications, a filter may be put into a major vein in your belly called the vena cava. A vena cava filter keeps blood clots from becoming lodged in your lungs
- Compression stockings: These particular knee socks lessen the likelihood of your blood pooling and clotting. Wear them on your legs from your feet to around the level of your knees to help reduce edema caused by deep vein thrombosis. If possible, you should wear these stockings during the day for at least two years.
HOME REMEDIES FOR DTV
Following DVT therapy, it is critical to make some lifestyle adjustments in order to manage your health and prevent another blood clot. Among the lifestyle modifications are:
- Inquire with your doctor about your diet: Vitamin K-rich foods, such as spinach, kale, other leafy greens, and Brussels sprouts, can interact with warfarin.
- Take your meds exactly as prescribed: Your doctor will advise you on how long you will require treatment. If you are using blood thinners, you will require a blood test to see how well your blood clots.
- Be wary of heavy bleeding: This is a possible side effect of blood thinners. Consult your doctor about any activities that may cause you to bruise or cut yourself, as even minor injuries might turn dangerous if you're on blood thinners.
- Move: If you've been on bed rest due to surgery or other circumstances, the sooner you resume moving, the less likely it is that blood clots may form.
- Compression stockings should be worn: If your doctor advises it, wear them to help prevent blood clots in the legs.
HOW CAN DTV BE PREVENTED?
Deep vein thrombosis prevention measures include the following:
- Avoid sitting still: If you have recently had surgery or have been on bed rest for any other reason, try to get moving as soon as possible. If you're going to be sitting for a time, avoid crossing your legs, which might restrict blood flow. If you're driving a long distance, take a break every hour or so and walk around.
When flying, stand or walk every now and then. If you are unable to do so, exercise your lower legs. Raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raise your toes while keeping your heels on the floor.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking raises your chances of developing DVT.
- Exercise and weight management: Obesity increases the risk of DVT. Regular exercise reduces your risk of blood clots, which is especially essential for persons who spend a lot of time sitting or traveling.