When a blood clot forms within a deep vein of someone’s body it is referred to as Deep Vein Thrombosis. This usually occurs in the legs and is a rather rare condition that usually affects senior citizens. This condition is labeled as DVT and is a circulation problem that affects people who do not regularly engage in physical activity. DVT usually occurs when the blood begins passing too slowly between the veins and thus a clot is formed.
The hard thing about DVT is that it can often go unnoticed and patients may not notice symptoms at all. One noticeable symptom is pain in the legs or an increase in temperature near the affected area. The most common way to detect DVT is through an ultrasound procedure. In recent years doctors have perfected this route for detection and they can identify and deal with clots that are not even visible under a microscope. In other cases blood tests are used to determine if DVT is present if an ultrasound is not as readily available.
While this condition is rarely ever life threatening, if left untreated it can lead to other medical issues that may become more serious. In some cases a patient can contract pulmonary embolism. Essentially this is when a part of the blood clot becomes unattached and travels throughout the body and into the lungs. This can cause very dramatic breathing instances and lead to death in serious cases. Also the clot may travel to other major organs and can even lead to a stroke if it manages to reach any part of the brain. Another relating condition to DVT is post-thrombotic syndrome. This affects a lot of DVT patients and occurs when damage is passed onto the valves of the vein. The biggest side effect of this issue is severe pain yet it can be treated.
In most instances DVT is treated within a hospital. Doctors do their best to minimize or dissolve the clot and take steps to prevent further clots from taking hold within the bloodstream. Blood thinners are the most common medication used as they allow the blood to pass through difficult areas much more easily. Aside from that sufferers of DVT are usually given painkillers and are advised to leave the affected area under direct heat as much as possible.
It is very rare for DVT to affect a patient under the age of 40 but in some instances it has been document. If a patient has a history of DVT in their family, or suffers from cancer or obesity then there is an increased risk of inheriting the condition. However there are a number of ways that DVT can be prevented including ingesting blood thinners like aspirin and remaining active in older age. In most cases people who feel they are at risk can just remain physically fit and active and they drastically reduce the chances of suffering from DVT. Stay fit and be careful and you should be able to avoid this condition with some ease.
© Insider Health
The hard thing about DVT is that it can often go unnoticed and patients may not notice symptoms at all. One noticeable symptom is pain in the legs or an increase in temperature near the affected area. The most common way to detect DVT is through an ultrasound procedure. In recent years doctors have perfected this route for detection and they can identify and deal with clots that are not even visible under a microscope. In other cases blood tests are used to determine if DVT is present if an ultrasound is not as readily available.
While this condition is rarely ever life threatening, if left untreated it can lead to other medical issues that may become more serious. In some cases a patient can contract pulmonary embolism. Essentially this is when a part of the blood clot becomes unattached and travels throughout the body and into the lungs. This can cause very dramatic breathing instances and lead to death in serious cases. Also the clot may travel to other major organs and can even lead to a stroke if it manages to reach any part of the brain. Another relating condition to DVT is post-thrombotic syndrome. This affects a lot of DVT patients and occurs when damage is passed onto the valves of the vein. The biggest side effect of this issue is severe pain yet it can be treated.
In most instances DVT is treated within a hospital. Doctors do their best to minimize or dissolve the clot and take steps to prevent further clots from taking hold within the bloodstream. Blood thinners are the most common medication used as they allow the blood to pass through difficult areas much more easily. Aside from that sufferers of DVT are usually given painkillers and are advised to leave the affected area under direct heat as much as possible.
It is very rare for DVT to affect a patient under the age of 40 but in some instances it has been document. If a patient has a history of DVT in their family, or suffers from cancer or obesity then there is an increased risk of inheriting the condition. However there are a number of ways that DVT can be prevented including ingesting blood thinners like aspirin and remaining active in older age. In most cases people who feel they are at risk can just remain physically fit and active and they drastically reduce the chances of suffering from DVT. Stay fit and be careful and you should be able to avoid this condition with some ease.
© Insider Health
