What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a thrombus (blood clot) develops in veins deep in your body. Most deep vein clots typically occur in the leg or thighs but it may also occur in other parts of the body such as the arm, brain, intestines, liver or kidney.
Even though DVT by itself is not life-threatening. This blood clot may dislodge and travel along the blood stream and get lodged in the lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism and severe damage to the organ. This is a life-threatening condition and you will need a quick diagnosis and treatment.
What symptoms does Deep Vein Thrombosis have?
Symptoms of DVT may include:
- Swelling of your leg or arms
- Pain or tenderness in your leg or arm. This may happen only when walking or standing.
- Changes in skin colour on your leg. It may appear red or purple, depending on the colour of your skin.
- The veins near your skin's surface may appear larger than normal
If you present symptoms of DVT, do consult a healthcare provider as it may cause serious complications if not treated.
If you develop symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE), seek emergency medical help. Some warning signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort that worsens when you cough or take a deep breath
- Feeling lightheaded
- Fainting
- Coughing up blood
What causes Deep Vein Thrombosis?
DVT may be caused by anything that prevents the blood in your veins from flowing properly or clotting properly. Damage to a vein from surgery or inflammation, infection, or injury may also cause DVT.
What are the risk factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Several factors may increase your risk of developing DVT, they include:
- Age: Your risk of DVT increases as you get older, although the condition can occur at any age.
- Lack of movement: Not moving for long periods of time, like sitting for a long time on trips in a car, truck, bus, or airplane or being immobile after surgery may also cause DVT.
- Injury or surgery: Injury to your veins or surgery may increase the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins in the pelvis and legs.
- Birth control pills: Contraceptives may increase the blood's ability to clot.
- Being overweight or obese: Being overweight places extra pressure in the veins of your pelvis and legs
- Smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes affects the blood flows and clots, which may increase your risk of DVT.
- Cancer: Some cancer increase substances in the blood that causes the blood to clot. Some cancer treatments also increase the risk of blood clots.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis increase the risk of DVT.
- Family History: If someone in your family has had a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism, you may be at a greater risk of developing DVT.
How do you prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis?
There are lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent DVT, such as:
- Move your legs more: If you've had surgery or had been on bed rest, try to move as soon as possible and don't cross your legs while sitting as doing so may block blood flow. When travelling, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs. Stand or walk occassionally if you're on a place. If on a car, stop every hour or so or do lower leg exercises by raising and lowering your feels while keeping your toes on the floor.
- Quit smoking: The chemicals in cigarettes and other tobacco products increases your risk of DVT
- Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor of DVT. Regular exercise helps you to lose weight and lowers your risk of blood clots.
How is Deep Vein Thrombosis diagnosed?
MRI Scan
An MRI scan may be done to diagnose DVT in the veins of the abdomen
Ultrasound
The standard test for diagnosing DVT.
