THE Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or deep vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot forms, called thrombusit is one or more deep veins of the body. They usually form in the legs, but that doesn’t mean they can appear elsewhere on the body.
This condition can occur if you have certain diseases that affect the way your blood clots. It can also develop if you don’t move for a long time.. An example of these situations can be after surgery or an accident.
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious disease. Blood clots that form in the veins can be removed by traveling through the bloodstream to the lungs. Once there, it can cut off blood flow, triggering a pulmonary embolism.
Similarly, clots can migrate to the heart. In these situations, a myocardial infarction can occur.
How is deep vein thrombosis triggered?
The blood that goes from the heart to the feet circulates through the arteries. Once in the foot, blood returns to the heart through capillaries. It is there from where it goes to the lungs to be oxygenated..
When blood clots within a vein, it prevents it from returning to the heart. This way, blood pools in the leg and that’s why it swells up and hurts. The blood solidifies and hinders or prevents its normal circulation.
As indicated scientific literaturedeep vein thrombosis blood clots can occur as consequence of any phenomenon that prevents the blood from circulating properly or that promotes clotting.
For example, after surgery, due to the use of certain medications and limitation of movement. However, there are a number of risk factors that favor the disease. Among them we can mention the following:
- Pregnancy.
- Overweight or obesity.
- Use of tobacco.
- Injuries or surgery, as we have discussed.
- Prolonged rest due to hospitalization, for example.
- Genetics: Some people inherit a disorder in which they have poor circulation.
- Others.
How can deep vein thrombosis be detected?
There are other conditions that they present with similar signs and symptoms those of deep vein thrombosis. For example, pulmonary embolism, muscle injury, cellulitis, or inflammation of the veins just under the skin.
To differentiate this disease from others, it is important special tests to look for clots in the veins. Below, we explain some of these tests.
ultrasound doppler
ultrasound doppler It is a test that uses sound waves to generate images in order to observe the flow of blood in the veins. It can detect blockages or blood clots in deep veins. This is the standard imaging test for diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.
D-dimer test
THE D-dimer test consists of a blood test that measures a a substance released into the blood when a clot breaks down. In case the result is negative, it means that the patient probably does not suffer from this disease and vice versa.
phlebography
THE phlebography it is the most accurate test for diagnosing blood clots. However, it is an invasive procedurewhich means it requires doctors to use tools to manipulate the body.
It is a special type of X-ray in which Contrast material or dye is injected into a large vein in the foot or ankle so the doctor can see the deep veins in this limb.
MRI and CAT scan
Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are two tests that they offer images that help doctors diagnose and treat various conditions. In the pictures they offer you can see the veins and clots. However, they are not used much for the diagnosis of this disease, but it is an accessible resource when needed.
Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
Prevention of DVT it is based on the improvement of blood flow returning to the heart. For this, it is important to consult your doctor to recommend a set of exercises.
It is advisable raise your legs to promote circulation. In this sense they can raise the part of the mattress where their legs rest to sleep with them in a slightly raised position.
If you are a smoker, try to quit. Tobacco is a risk factor for numerous diseases. It is also recommended that you exercise at least 30 minutes 3 days a week.
When necessary, the doctor can prescribe the use of anticoagulant drugs to prevent problems of this caliber.
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