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| What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
by Jennifer S. Wright
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Overview
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein of your body. This condition can affect more than one vein and usually occurs in veins in your leg. Although some DVT disappears without treatment, it can develop into a serious condition when the clot dislodges and moves into your lung causing a pulmonary embolism.
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Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for a deep vein thrombosis, including smoking, being overweight, sitting for extended periods of time, prolonged bed rest, surgery, pregnancy, heart failure, cancer, using birth control, having a pacemaker, using hormone replacement therapy, a personal or family history of a pulmonary embolism or DVT and an inherited blood-clotting disorder. Your physician can help you determine if you are at risk for developing a deep vein thrombosis.
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Signs and Symptoms
You may not have any obvious symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis. Some noticeable symptoms can include warmth and redness over the affected site and pain or swelling in your affected arm or leg. The pain can feel like a cramp or a charley horse. Symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis should be reported to your physician immediately.
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Complications
A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening complication of a DVT with symptoms including sudden unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain that becomes worse with a deep breath or cough, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, coughing up blood and anxiety or nervousness. If you develop signs of a pulmonary embolism, seek medical attention immediately.
Post-phlebitic syndrome is a common complication after a deep vein thrombosis. This syndrome is caused by vein damage resulting from the blood clot, which decreases blood flow to the affected area. Symptoms can include leg pain, skin discoloration and swelling of your legs.
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Diagnosis
Your physician will diagnosis a deep vein thrombosis based on your signs and symptoms as well as a physical examination. Your physician may order additional tests if a blood clot is suspected, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests or venography. Not all tests will be preformed on all people.
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Treatment
The goals of treatment are to prevent deep vein thrombosis, prevent the complication of pulmonary embolism and stop the clot from getting larger. Typical treatment includes blood thinner medications to prevent clots from increasing in size. In life-threatening cases, medications may be given to break up clots. These medications carry serious side effects like bleeding. If you are unable to tolerate blood thinner medications, your physician may insert a filter into a large vein to prevent a loose clot from reaching your lungs. Compression stockings can be worn on your legs to prevent swelling. The pressure reduces the chance your blood will clot in your veins. Your physician will prescribe treatment based on your health history and the severity of your deep vein thrombosis.
