DVT, also known as deep vein thrombosis, is the forming of a blood clot in a deep vein. This is typically found in a thigh or calf muscle. DVT is capable of partially or totally blocking the blood flow to that part of the body, which brings about swelling and chronic pain. It can damage the valves in blood vessels, which will make it a challenge to walk. This blood clot can also separate from the vein and move to major organs by going through the blood. If this blood clot hits your heart or lungs, it can be very dangerous and may even cause death within a matter of hours.
There are ways to recognize if you have this as DVT symptoms are relatively easy to see. Following are signs you should definitely pay attention to:
- Noticeable swelling occurring in 1 or both legs.
- Tenderness or pain in either 1 or both legs which may hit only while walking or standing.
- A feeling of warmth in the skin of the leg in question.
- Skin that is red or discolored.
- Feeling of fatigue in the legs.
- Surface veins that are visible.
A blood clot that is able to travel to the lungs is known as a pulmonary embolism. This can be fatal. You may not notice any symptoms, but if you ever suddenly begin severe coughing that produces blood, along with sharp chest pain, difficulty in breathing, or extreme lightheadedness, you MUST get help IMMEDIATELY. Call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency room.
Many people pay little attention to swelling or feelings of tiredness in the legs. Admittedly, these, alone, may not have anything to do with DVT. However, if you put those together with any of the other symptoms presented here, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. If you are presenting all of the symptoms, you should head straight to the emergency room so that you can be examined and tested to see if you have DVT.
The thing you need to understand is that once DVT begins, you are going to need some medical advice or help in getting rid of it. You are putting yourself in danger if you ignore all of these symptoms at once. There are measures that can be taken to protect you from sudden death involving DVT, but if you wait too long, you are lessening your chances of survival.
Showing posts with label symptons of a blood clot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symptons of a blood clot. Show all posts
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening complication of DVT are:
chest pain that worsens with coughing or breathing deeply, coughing up blood, dizziness or fainting, unexplained shortness of breath and rapid breathing with increased pulse rate. A person with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, especially if they have a history of deep vein thrombosis.
Depending on the severity, DVT can be treated with drug therapy. Bed rest with legs elevated is required until the condition improves. Gradient elastic stockings, sometimes called compression stockings, may need to be worn for up to a year and the patient should avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
Drug therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots is the most common treatment for DVT. Drugs most commonly used are blood thinners that slow the growth of blood clots. Heparin is a common injectable anticoagulant and is used in conjunction with Coumadin for at least three months.
Patients with severe deep vein thrombosis may receive thrombolytic therapy to try to dissolve clots. Tissue plasminogen activator is the most commonly used thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytics increases the risk of serious bleeding so this is only used when the patient's vein thrombosis is life-threatening.
Another treatment is a filter that can be inserted into the vena cava to prevent blood clots from reaching the heart or lungs. Filters are more common in patients who cannot use anti-clotting drugs or are at a higher risk of falls or are being treated for multiple traumas. Patients that do not respond quickly enough to drug therapy may also need to be fitted with a filter.
Of course, those at risk for DVT can help themselves immensely by losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly (especially leg and calf focused exercises). Those who frequently fly or sit for long periods should make it a point to get up from their seated position every 2 hours to stretch and walk around for a few minutes. They should also drink plenty of water during traveling. The idea is to keep the blood flowing, especially in the legs.
Depending on the severity, DVT can be treated with drug therapy. Bed rest with legs elevated is required until the condition improves. Gradient elastic stockings, sometimes called compression stockings, may need to be worn for up to a year and the patient should avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
Drug therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots is the most common treatment for DVT. Drugs most commonly used are blood thinners that slow the growth of blood clots. Heparin is a common injectable anticoagulant and is used in conjunction with Coumadin for at least three months.
Patients with severe deep vein thrombosis may receive thrombolytic therapy to try to dissolve clots. Tissue plasminogen activator is the most commonly used thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytics increases the risk of serious bleeding so this is only used when the patient's vein thrombosis is life-threatening.
Another treatment is a filter that can be inserted into the vena cava to prevent blood clots from reaching the heart or lungs. Filters are more common in patients who cannot use anti-clotting drugs or are at a higher risk of falls or are being treated for multiple traumas. Patients that do not respond quickly enough to drug therapy may also need to be fitted with a filter.
Of course, those at risk for DVT can help themselves immensely by losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly (especially leg and calf focused exercises). Those who frequently fly or sit for long periods should make it a point to get up from their seated position every 2 hours to stretch and walk around for a few minutes. They should also drink plenty of water during traveling. The idea is to keep the blood flowing, especially in the legs.
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