Detection And Prevention Of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot, or thrombosis, forms one or more deep veins in the body. They usually affect the feet, although they can also appear on other areas of the body.

This disease can also occur if you suffer from certain blood disorders that affect the way your blood clots. It can also develop if you do not move for long periods of time, such as after surgery or an accident.

Deep vein thrombosis is a serious disease. Blood clots in the blood vessels can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. There, they can interrupt blood flow after triggering a pulmonary embolism. Clots can also move to the heart. Such situations can even lead to a heart attack.

What causes a deep vein thrombosis?

When a person has a deep vein thrombosis, it is difficult for the blood vessels in the legs furthest from the heart to move blood. So it accumulates there, causing swelling.

Blood from the heart to the feet circulates through the arteries. It then returns to the heart along the capillaries as it reaches the foot. From there, it travels to the lungs to produce oxygen.

When blood clots inside a vein, it cannot return to the heart. Consequently, it accumulates in the feet. It swells and causes pain. The blood then clots and does not circulate normally.

Blood clots in a deep vein thrombosis can appear as a result of any phenomenon that prevents blood from circulating properly or promotes clotting. They may appear, for example, after surgery or as a side effect and limited movement of certain medications.

However, several risk factors make a person more susceptible to this disease. These include:

• Heredity: Some people inherit a disease that leads to circulatory problems.
• Prolonged rest: This may be due to, for example, being hospitalized.
• Injuries or surgery, as we mentioned earlier.
• Pregnancy, overweight or obesity.
• Smoking and other similar factors.

How deep is a venous thrombosis detected?

First, it is important to note that there are other diseases that are associated with symptoms such as deep vein thrombosis. These include, for example, pulmonary embolism, muscle injuries, cellulitis, and inflammation of the blood vessels just under the skin. For this reason, it is important to perform specific tests to locate clots in the veins and to differentiate the disease from other diseases.

Duplex ultrasound

In this experiment, sound waves are used to create images that monitor the flow of blood through blood vessels. It can detect blockages and blood clots in deeper veins.  It is thus a standard imaging test for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.

D-dimer

This test includes a blood test that measures the amount of a substance released into the blood when the clot breaks. A negative result means that the patient is unlikely to have the disease in question and vice versa.

Venography

This test is the most reliable of all for diagnosing blood clots. However, it is a disruptive procedure and requires doctors to use aids to manipulate the body. It is a special x-ray in which a doctor injects a contrasting dye into a large vein in the leg or ankle. In this way, they are able to see the deep vein of the limb.

Magnetic resonance imaging and CT scanning

These two tests create images and help doctors diagnose and treat different diseases. The pictures show the blood vessels and any possible clots. They are not used much to diagnose this disease. However, they are available resources if needed.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis

Eliminating risk factors is the best way to prevent that disease. It includes removing tobacco, alcohol, and anything that can lead to high blood pressure.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis is based on improving blood circulation, which returns to the heart. It is therefore important to talk to your doctor as he or she may recommend some exercise routine.

It is also recommended to raise your legs regularly to facilitate blood circulation. Thus, a person suffering from this disease feels more comfortable when he raises the mattress where the feet rest. It helps him sleep in a slightly elevated position.

If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking is a risk factor for numerous heart diseases. Doctors also recommend exercising three times a week for at least half an hour.  It can also be helpful to eat more foods that prevent clotting.

If necessary, your doctor may prescribe anticoagulants to prevent such a problem.