Deep Vein Thrombosis: What’s The Science Behind It?
March is the deep vein thrombosis month. Various clotting awareness or DVT awareness events or campaigns occur in this month to reduce the risk of deaths and save lives of people. DVT has been a great cause of deaths, specifically in the United States. Estimated about 300,000 to 600,000 people, yearly, are affected by DVT in the United States, and about 60,000 to 100,000 die each year.
March is the month internationally accepted as DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AWARENESS month. People are told about the symptoms, effects, causes, and harms of DVT. Different treatments are given in the campaigns. Medical and health professionals help and consult in this regard.
Deep Vein Thrombosis, also known as DVT, is a medical condition that occurs due to blood clotting in deep veins or lower pelvis.
Let us have a brief review of blood clotting and its role in causing DVT.
Blood Clotting: Cause of DVT
Blood clotting, also known as “coagulation,” is a process of the transformation of blood from fluid form to a semi-solid or gel-like red material. This process is also called “thrombosis.”
There are two conditions of blood clotting:
- Thrombus (the blood clot is stationary)
- Embolus (blood clot travels inside the body)
Blood clotting has two types, i.e., may occur in arteries or in veins.
- Arterial clotting
When a blood clot is formed in an artery, it is called an arterial clot. The symptoms of this kind appear sooner and need emergency treatment. It can occur in the arms or legs. These can also happen in the heart and brain, adding to the risks of heart attack and strokes.
- Venous Clotting
A blood clot, when formed in veins, is called a venous clot. Clot formation of this kind occurs slowly; therefore, it is hard to notice the clot before it starts causing a problem.
There are further three types of venous clots:
- Superficial Venous Thrombosis (SVT)
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Whenever the symptoms of blood clotting occur, rush to the doctor and find treatment, before it leads you to some life-threatening disease.
Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is a type of venous clotting. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the major vein of the body. This is a very serious condition. It mostly occurs in the lower leg, thigh, and pelvis. In the kidney, intestines, liver, brain or heart, the chances of this clotting are rare.
Symptoms
Common symptoms may include:
- Swelling
- Cramping pain
- Redness & warmth
- Pain and heavy feeling in the affected leg
- Pain when the leg is bent at a 90-degree angle or above
Causes
The causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis include:
- Lack of movement
- Obesity
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome or APS
- Surgery
- Period following birth
- Pregnancy
- Heart Failure
- Trauma
- Genetic conditions
- Alcohol Consumption
- Cancer
- Hormonal Birth Control
- Smoking
Effects and Complications of DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a disease having harmful effects. Its effects can take one to death. The complications include:
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Post-thrombotic Syndrome
The details for the complications are provided below.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is the type in which the blood clot breaks loose and travels from the leg to the lung and gets stuck there. In reality, DVT changes to PE, and it becomes fatal (an emergency state).
Symptoms
- Breathing problem or sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Foggy mind or dizziness
- Coughing up blood
- Anxiety
- Sweating
Causes
- Varicose veins
- Clotting disorder
- Increased estrogen
- Age greater than 60
- Disease like paralysis, heart failure, high blood pressure
- Severe injury, burn or fracture
Post-thrombotic Syndrome (PTS)
Post-thrombotic Syndrome or PTS occurs as a long term complication of DVT. It is a medical condition that may lower the person’s quality of life after DVT. It is also commonly known as “Venous Stress.” This occurs due to the pressure built up in the veins. Mostly it occurs in the lower part of the leg. This condition occurs after 1 to 2 years of DVT.
Symptoms
- Varicose veins
- Heaviness
- Ulcer
- Itching or tingling
- Swelling
- Cramping pain
- Brown or reddish skin discoloration
Risk Factors
- Age greater than 65
- Obesity
- Proximal DVT
- Poor quality of anticoagulation control during the first 3 months of treatment
- Recurrent ipsilateral DVT (second DVT in the same leg as the first DVT)
- Persistent DVT symptoms (mainly 1 month after)
Keep yourself safe!
As it’s famously said; “Prevention is surely better than cure.” So, here are some preventions that you need to follow in orders to prevent or decrease the risk factors.
Preventions
- Don’t smoke or try to give up smoking if you are a smoker
- Exercise on a daily basis. This can help you maintain better blood flow
- Ask your doctor about the symptoms
- Ask about preventions of blood clotting
- Ask about the treatments & medications of DVT
- Stay away from alcohol and caffeine
- Wear loose clothing, avoid skin tight clothes
- If you are asked by your doctor to use compression sleeves or other mechanical devices, use them as a duty.
- Drink more water
- Eat less salt
Treatments
- Medication
- Anticoagulation
Primary treatment includes anticoagulation medication. These are also referred to as “blood thinners.” They do not make the blood thinner but actually slow down the ability of the body to form new clots and also prevent the existing clots from growing bigger.
- Compression Stocking
- Thrombolytic Therapy
- Vena Cava Filters
Important note
- Strictly follow the instructions given by your expert.
- Don’t miss out on an appointment and stay in contact with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about the side-effects of your medicines.
- Be regular with your medication.
- Take account of the test results.
- Ask questions to the doctor about any health improvement or cure of the disease.
If you won’t take care of yourself, then who will? Join the campaign and be aware of the diseases and harms of it.
