Deep Vein Thrombosis

     A DVT is a blood clot (thrombosis) that forms in a deep vein, partially or completely blocking the flow of blood.  A serious, potentially fatal complication of DVT is that a clot can detach from the wall of the vein, travel through the blood stream, and lodge in the lungs. 

 

Symptoms’ of DVT include:

     • Sudden swelling in the leg
     • Painful, tender leg
     • Skin that warms to the touch

     

     Managing a DVT:  Depending on the location of the DVT, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners while in the hospital or as an outpatient situation.  This helps any further clotting while the body naturally works to dissolve the original clot.  Your doctor may also prescribe compression garments for you to wear while you are up and about and encourage you to walk.

     (Please check with your doctor first)

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Causes and Risk Factors:

     • Heredity
     • Lack of exercise: standing or sitting for long periods of time deactivate your muscular pump, resulting
        in pooling of blood in the legs and increasingly swollen veins.
     • Age: as we get older, the walls of the veins become less elastic and more prone to venous disorders.
     • Tightly fitting clothes
     • Wearing high-heeled shoes
     • Obesity
     • Alcohol consumption during flight
     • Hot baths and excessive exposure to the sun
     • Dehydration
     • Pregnancy