Let’s Understand – Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Deep vein thrombosis is a medical term for a blood clot in the leg’s deep veins. Deep vein thrombosis, or “DVT,” is a potentially fatal condition.
When a blood clot forms inside a blood vessel, it can clog the vessel and prevent blood from reaching its destination. When this happens to one of the deep veins in the leg, blood can back up, causing swelling and pain.
Another issue with blood clots in veins is that they can spread and clog blood vessels in other parts of the body. A clot in the leg, for example, could end up blocking a blood vessel in the lung.
This can make it difficult to breathe and, in severe cases, can result in death. When a blood clot travels to the lungs, it is referred to as a “pulmonary embolism,” or “PE.”
DVT can occur in the arm as well as the leg. However, this is much less common.
What are the signs and symptoms of DVT?
DVT can result in the following symptoms in the affected leg:
●Swelling
●Pain
- Redness and warmth
Clots can also form in the veins closest to the skin’s surface, known as “superficial veins,” which cause a different set of symptoms. Blood clots in the veins near the skin’s surface are more painful and can cause redness or infection. These clots can also cause veins to harden and bulge into ridges that resemble cords. This is most common in veins beneath the knee.
If you suspect you have a blood clot in your leg, contact your doctor or nurse immediately. Blood clots in veins near the skin’s surface are less dangerous. Blood clots in the deep veins of the leg, on the other hand, are more serious. Your doctor or nurse can perform tests to determine whether you have a clot that needs to be treated.
What are the signs of a pulmonary blood clot?
- Blood clots in the lungs can result in:
- Panting, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties
- Sharp, knife-like chest pain when inhaling or straining
- Coughing up blood or coughing it up
- A quick heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they occur over a short period of time (hours or days) or worsen rapidly. Doctors can perform tests at the hospital to determine whether or not you have a clot. Blood clots in the lungs can be fatal. That is why it is critical to act quickly and determine the presence of a clot.
What is the treatment for DVT?
DVT is treated with medications that prevent the clot from growing and traveling to the lungs. These medications are known as “anticoagulants,” and they are sometimes referred to as “blood thinners,” despite the fact that they do not actually thin the blood. Some are in the form of shots, while others are in the form of pills.
DVT is typically treated in the hospital first.
If you have had a clot, your doctor will prescribe one of these medications to reduce your chances of having another clot in the future. You must take the medication for at least three months (and sometimes longer). Some people are first given heparin, which is administered as a shot. This could be for a few days or longer if you are unable to take pills for some reason.
The medications do not dissolve existing blood clots, but they do prevent new ones from forming. They also aid in the prevention of new blood clot formation.
As per the Best DVT Specialist Doctor in Delhi -Taking the medication for a few months is critical because it allows your body to dissolve the old clot. It’s also important because people who have had a clot are more likely to have another one, especially in the first few months.
If your doctor prescribes medications following should be followed :
Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor – If you forget or miss a dose, contact your doctor to find out what to do. When you begin taking the medication, your blood will be tested. If you take warfarin, you will need to have regular blood tests to see how your blood clots. This is necessary to ensure that you receive the appropriate dose of warfarin.
Follow your doctor’s diet and medication instructions. Depending on the medication you take, you may need to pay special attention to what you eat. Additionally, certain other medications can have an effect on how these medications work.
Keep an eye out for signs of bleeding: Any medicine used to prevent or treat blood clots may cause abnormal bleeding. These medications aid in the prevention of dangerous blood clots, but they also make it more difficult for your body to control bleeding after an injury. As a result, it’s critical to avoid getting hurt and to notify your doctor right away if you notice any signs of bleeding.
Deep Vein Thrombosis specialist doctor states -People who are unable to take blood clot prevention and treatment medications, or who do not receive adequate benefit from the medications, can receive a different treatment. This is referred to as an “inferior vena cava filter” (also called an “IVC filter”)
The inferior vena cava is a large vein that returns blood to your heart from your legs and the lower half of your body. IVC filters are placed within the inferior vena cava. They filter and trap any large clots that form below the filter’s location.
A clot can be severe enough to cut off the blood supply to your leg in some cases. This is known as “gangrene,” and if it occurs, doctors can administer medication to dissolve the clot. This medication, which is sometimes referred to as “clot-busting,” is administered via a catheter (a small tube inserted into the vein). Doctors may perform surgery to remove the clot in some cases.
Is there anything I can do on my own to prevent blood clots? Yes.
As per the Best Varicose vein doctor in Delhi – Clots can form when people sit still for an extended period of time. People who fly for long periods of time, for example, are more likely to develop blood clots. Here are some precautions you can take to avoid a clot during a long flight:
- Every 1 to 2 hours, get up and walk around.
- Do not smoke immediately before your trip.
- Dress in loose, comfortable clothing.
- Change your seated position frequently, and move your legs and feet.
- Wear compression stockings to the knees.
- Avoid alcohol and sleep-inducing medications because they can impair your ability to move.
Dr Tapish Sahu is an accomplished Peripheral Vascular Surgeon,one who deals with arteries and veins of the body. He is currently the Head of Vascular Surgery Department at Manipal Group of Hospitals, New Delhi. Before this, he was a senior consultant with Medanta, The Medicity Gurgaon. He did his MBBS from Medical College Agra, Post graduation in Surgery from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi after which he moved on to Bangalore for a superspeciality degree in Peripheral Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Then he did his fellowship from University Hospital Salzburg, Austria.
Address :- Manipal Hospital, Sector 6 Dwarka, Dwarka, Delhi, 110075 For booking your appointment :- Call on :- +91 99110 61116 Mail id :- tapish.sahu@gmail.com Or you can visit our website :- https://vascularcareindia.com/