|
A Visual Guide to Deep Vein Thrombosis
1/20
What Is DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis is
a blood clot that forms inside a vein, usually deep within your leg. As many as
900,000 Americans a year get one, and up to 100,000 die because of it. The
danger is that part of the clot can break off and travel through your bloodstream.
It could get stuck in your lungs and block blood flow, causing organ damage or
death.
1/20
Symptoms
A common symptom of
DVT is a leg swollen below the knee. You may have redness and
tenderness or pain in the area of the clot.
But you won't always
have these. About half of people with DVT get no warning signs.
1/20
Pulmonary Embolism
This is a clot that
moves into your lungs and blocks the blood supply. It can cause trouble
breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and
coughing up blood. If you have any of these, call 911 and get medical care
right away.
1/20
What Causes DVT?
Anything that damages
the inner lining of a vein may cause DVT -- surgery, an injury, or your immune
system. If your blood is thick or flows slowly, it's more likely to form a
clot, especially in a vein that's already damaged. People who have certain
genetic disorders or more estrogen in their system are more likely to
have blood clots, too.
1/20
Who Is Likely to Get DVT?
Some people with a
higher risk are those who:
·
Have cancer
·
Have had surgery
·
Are on extended bed rest
·
Are older
·
Smoke
·
Are overweight or obese
·
Sit for long times, like on a long
airplane flight
1/20
Pregnancy
Women are more likely to
develop DVT during pregnancy and in the 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. That's
when they have higher levels of estrogen, which may make blood clot more
easily. The pressure of their expanding uterus can slow blood flow in the veins
as well. Certain blood disorders can boost their chances of having DVT even
more.
1/20
Hormone Therapy
Like pregnancy, birth
control pills and some treatments for postmenopausal symptoms raise the amount
of estrogen in a woman's blood. That can increase the odds of getting DVT.
1/20
Trapped in Your Seat
Travel to new and
faraway places can be exciting! Squishing into a coach seat for a long
international flight is not. Studies show long-distance travel -- a trip that
lasts more than 4 hours -- doubles the chance of developing DVT. It doesn't
matter if you go by air, bus, train, or car. When you're in a cramped seat and
don't move around, your blood flow slows.
1/20
Diagnosis
Your doctor will check
you for signs of DVT. He may also ask about your medical history, medications
you're taking, medical problems of close relatives, and things that raise your
chances of having this condition. An ultrasound is the most common way to confirm
you have it. The test uses sound waves to "see" the blood flow
and reveal a clot. You might also need other tests, such as a blood test called
a d-dimer.
1/20
Blood Thinners
Drugs called
anticoagulants are the most common way to treat DVT. Although they're known as
blood thinners, they don't really thin your blood. They make it less "sticky"
to prevent new blood clots from forming. They can't break up a clot you already
have, but they will give your body time to dissolve one on its own. You take
these medications in a pill or by needle.
1/20
Side Effects of Blood Thinners
People who take these
medications may get bruises often or bleed more easily. When you take certain
ones, you'll need to watch what you eat. And you may need to go to a lab
regularly to get your blood checked. Newer medications make it harder to stop
bleeding if you have an accident.
Let your doctor know if
you bleed a lot from minor injuries.
1/20
Internal Bleeding
Blood thinners can also
make it easier to bleed inside your body, where you can't see it. Bleeding in
your belly can cause pain, vomit that's red or looks like coffee grounds, and
bright red or black stools. Bleeding in your brain can bring on severe headaches,
vision changes, unnatural movements, and confusion. Call 911 or go to the
emergency room if you notice any of these symptoms.
1/20
Vena Cava Filter
If you can't take blood
thinners or they aren't working, your doctor may recommend putting a filter
into your biggest vein, called the vena cava. This filter catches breakaway
clots and stops them from getting into your lungs and heart. It won't stop new
clots from forming or cure DVT, but it can help stop a dangerous pulmonary
embolism.
1/20
Clot Busters
Medications that
dissolve blood clots are called thrombolytics. They can cause sudden, severe
bleeding, so doctors use them only in emergencies -- to dissolve a
life-threatening blood clot in your lung, for example. You get thrombolytics by
IV in a hospital.
1/20
Compression Stockings
These special socks put
gentle pressure on your legs to keep your blood moving. They help
keep clots from forming as well as keep swelling down and relieve pain
where a clot has formed. You can get compression stockings over the counter,
but your doctor will need to write a prescription for ones with more pressure.
Wear them even when you're at home.
1/20
Keep Your Feet Up
When you can, sit with
your feet resting off the floor to raise your legs. You'll make it easier for
the blood in your veins to flow up toward your heart. This can lessen the
swelling and discomfort in the leg with DVT.
1/20
Long-Term Effects
Once a blood clot is
gone, DVT sometimes leaves behind an unpleasant reminder. You may see long-term
swelling or changes in skin color where the clot was. Or it could hurt. These
symptoms, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, sometimes show up as much as a
year after the clot.
1/20
Exercise
Use your muscles to get
blood flowing. Work your lower leg muscles especially. When you're not active
-- at your desk, for example -- take breaks to stretch your legs. Stand up.
Step away for a bit.
Regular exercise also
helps keep you at a healthy weight, and that lowers your odds of having DVT,
too.
1/20
Travel Tips
When traveling will keep
you seated for more than 4 hours, don't wear tight clothing, and drink plenty
of water. Get up and walk around at least every couple of hours. If you have to
stay in your seat, stretch and move your legs. Try clenching and releasing your
calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your heels with your toes on the
floor. Do plenty of sightseeing by foot once you arrive!
This tool does not provide medical advice.
মন্তব্যসমূহ
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন