What is the best way to combat deep vein thrombosis?

What is the best way to combat deep vein thrombosis?
What is the best way to help prevent me from getting deep vein thrombosis or blood clots in the legs when I get older?

81 mg aspirin every day, and avoid sitting or staying in the same position for prolonged periods of time... like if you're making a road trip somewhere, get out every hour or so to stretch and move around. These are the best things to do!

Understanding DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis

vein thrombosis - click on the image below for more information.

Understanding DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis

Click on the button for more vein thrombosis information and reviews.

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Article by James Crocker

Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, is a condition in which a blood clot, or thrombus, forms in one or more of the deep veins of the body, most frequently in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause pain in the legs, but it's not uncommon to develop one or more clots without any symptoms.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you sit in one position for a long period of time, like when traveling by car or plane, or if you have a medical condition that affects the way your blood clots.

Deep vein thrombosis is a very serious medical condition because of the risk that the blood clot that developed in your vein could break free of the vein and be carried to your lungs. When a blood clot travels to and becomes lodged in your lungs, this is known as a pulmonary embolism. However, deep vein thromboses can disappear by themselves.

Symptoms of DVT:

In roughly half of all diagnosed cases, deep vein thrombosis occurs without any recognizable symptoms. However, when signs and symptoms of a blood clot do occur, they can include the following:

-Redness and heat or a "hot spot" in the affected area -Inflammation in the affected leg, including swelling and pitting edema in the foot and ankle -Pain in the leg; this may also include pain in the foot and ankle. The pain frequently starts in the calf and can feel like cramping of the muscles -If a blood clot forms in the neck or an arm, there can be pain and swelling in those locations

When to seek medical attention:

If you develop symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, contact your doctor right away for guidance.

If you develop symptoms of a pulmonary embolism--a complication of DVT that can be life-threatening-- you need to seek emergency medical attention.

The following are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism:

-Severe chest pain that becomes worse when you cough or take a deep breath -Coughing up blood -Sudden unexplained onset of shortness of breath -A sense of nervousness or anxiety -Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or fainting

Risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis:

There are many factors that can dramatically increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, here are a few:

-Inherited blood-clotting disorder. Some people inherit a disorder that causes their blood to clot more easily than other people. This inherited disorder is unlikely to cause problems unless it is combined with one or more additional risk factors. -Prolonged bed rest, like during a hospital stay or paralysis. When your legs remain still for prolonged amounts of time, your calf muscles do not contract to aid in the circulation of blood from the lower legs, this can lead to the formation of blood clots. -Surgery or injury. Surgery or injury to your veins can slow the flow of blood, increasing the risk of forming blood clots. Also general anesthetics used in surgery can cause your veins to dilate, which can increase the risk of blood pooling in the veins and then clotting. -Pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins of the pelvis and legs. Women with an inherited clotting disorder are particularly at risk. The risk of blood clots from pregnancy can continue for as long as six weeks after delivering your baby. -Smoking. Smoking affects circulation and blood clotting, which can increase your risk of forming blood clots. -Sitting for lengthy amounts of time, like when flying or driving. When your legs remain relatively stationary for long periods of time, your calf muscles don't contract, which typically aids in the circulation of blood. Although sitting for long lengths of time is a risk factor, the chance of developing DVT while driving or flying is relatively slim. -Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy can both increase your blood's ability to clot.

Diagnosis of DVT:

In order to diagnose deep vein thrombosis, your doctor will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. He or she will also conduct a physical exam to look for any areas of swelling, discoloration of the skin, or tenderness. If your doctor thinks that it is possible that you may have a blood clot, you may be requested to undergo further testing. Some of the tests used to clearly determine the presence of absence of a blood clot include:

-An ultrasound of the affected body part, be it leg, arm, or neck. -CT or MRI scan of the affected body part. -Blood test for an increased level of a clot-dissolving substance called D dimer -Venography which involves injecting a dye into a large vein in the foot or ankle, so that X-rays can be taken of the veins.

Treatments:

The purpose of treatment for deep vein thrombosis is to stop the blood clot from getting any larger, prevent the clot from breaking loose and causing a pulmonary embolism, and to prevent the deep vein thrombosis from reoccurring. Your doctor will advise you on the appropriate treatment steps for you to take based on your complete medical history.

About the Author

James Crocker is the Owner and CEO of Casual Robot Media. He writes articles relating to how to tips, what is information, why is information, and best information articles for http://knowledgecloset.com/.

DVT "Deep Vein Thrombosis" "Ultrasound Image"


Image by Mr Thinktank

Deep Vein (Venous) Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - 3D Medical Animation

This 3D medical animation depicting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT or Deep Venous Thrombosis) begins by showing a blood clot forming in a lower leg vein. As red blood cells flow through the vein, slower moving cells and other blood elements accumulate on the venous valves, creating a stationary blood clot, or thrombus, blocking the blood flow in the vein. When the thrombus breaks free of the valve leaflet, it is then called an embolus, and travels toward the heart and lungs. The last section of the animation shows the embolus lodging in the lung tissue to form a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Item #ANC00001
Video Rating: 5 / 5

---

Orignal From: What is the best way to combat deep vein thrombosis?