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Friday, March 24, 2017

Deep Vein Thrombosis



Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. This usually occurs in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms at all. Certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots can promote deep vein thrombosis. It can also happen if you don't move for a long time, such as after surgery, following an accident or when you are confined to a hospital or nursing home bed. Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition as blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your longs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism)

German pathologist Rudolf Virchow shared an interplay of three processes resulting in venous thrombosis in 1856. These included decreased blood flow rate, increased tendency to clot and changes to the blood vessel wall. 

Medical conditions that increase risk of DVT include cancer, trauma, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Other risk factors include older age, surgery, bed rest, orthopedic casts and sitting on long flights, come oral contraceptives, pregnancy, postnatal period and genetic factors. 

Diagnosis of Deep vein thrombosis is normally done via ultrasound of the suspected veins. 
There are things you can do to help prevent DVT as well. Walking early and frequently after any period of non movement, calf exercises, anticoagulants, aspirin, graduated compression stockings and intermittent pneumatic compression. Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis usually includes anticoagulation such as heparin or vitamin K. Wearing graduated compression stockings helps reduce the risk of post thrombotic syndrome. The rate of DVTs increase with age. An average of 1 in 1000 adults is affected per year. 

Like always take this information as just that it is researched but your doctor will know much better and like I am always told do not self diagnose yourself. If you feel you need to see your doctor then that is most important and should be done. Be safe, take care of yourself and enjoy life

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