What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis

What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

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by: Scott Abeles, R.N., B.S.N.

About The Author
Scott Abeles, R. N., B.S.N. is an AnestaWeb journalist specializing in medical and health articles and topics. To learn more about botox, visit http://www.botoxdirectory.net . Other websites by Mr. Abeles Include: www.bariatricsurgerydirectory.com and www.LessInvasive.com

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DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a clot that develops in the veins of your legs. The veins that a DVT can form in are typically deep veins and are located in the calf or the thigh. DVTs can form in both legs at the sametime. The average age of people who have DVTs are around 60 but it can happen at any age, ie; David Bloom the NBC news correspondent. These clots have the potential to dislodge and travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. DVTs and pulmonary embolisms can be fatal. According to the CDC, complications associated with DVTs kill approximately 200,000 people in the US alone.

So what are the causes of these potentially fatal clots? The most common causes of DVT are due to: immobility, injury, surgery and certain illnesses such as cancer, clotting disorders and inflammatory diseases. When patients in the hospital are immobile and primarily lying in bed, the natural contraction of the muscles which helps with returning blood to the heart is not effective. Blood can pool in the leg veins and has the potential to form clots. People who travel/ sit for long periods of time may also experience the pooling of blood in the legs and might not have efficient blood flow back to the heart. Certain types of cancer can cause clotting components of the blood to increase subsequently causing a DVT. If a vein is damaged during a surgical procedure clotting factors are produced by the body to attempt to repair the damaged vessel, this natural repair has the potential to cause a DVT.

There are many symptoms associated with a DVT, and people should be aware of them to prevent potential complications and possible death. Symptoms of a DVT may include one or more of the following symptoms: calf/ thigh pain and tenderness, discoloration and/ or swelling of the affected leg, and the affected area may be warm to the touch. Although there are many associate symptoms, some DVTs may be present will minimal symptoms. You can prevent DVTs if you recognize any of these symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention to be treated appropriately.

If you have been diagnosed with a DVT there are many treatment options that can be discussed with your healthcare provider. In some instances medication (anticoagulants and thrombolytics/ “clot-busters”) along with bed rest can be an effective treatment. In cases in which medications cannot be used, a less invasive method to remove the clot can be employed. For people who have the potential for DVTs, a special filter is inserted into the vena cava to prevent the clot from traveling to the lungs. Visit www.dvt.net for more information concerning this potentially fatal issue.

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