Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in deep leg veins. This condition usually causes leg pain or swelling. DVT can be caused by a range of factors from untreated varicose veins and blood clotting disorders to heart conditions, older age, smoking and long-distance travel. As a potentially life-threatening condition, DVT treatment and management from experienced vein doctors is essential.
At Vein Care, we provide state-of-the-art treatments for various vein conditions in Melbourne, including DVT. Below we go through DVT prevention tips, symptoms, causes, treatments and early warning signs to watch out for.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Our blood has compounds called platelets and clotting factors. Platelets are sticky and help blood thicken in order to assist with wound healing. Platelets collect at the site of a cut or scratch and work with clotting factors to create a type of mesh or web that traps more platelets and produces a plug that seals off the wound. This clotting ability in our blood is essential, but can cause problems when it stops blood from flowing properly.
One of the most serious vein conditions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg. This condition can be potentially fatal as clots could block major arteries. DVT differs from superficial venous thrombosis, where the clot is in a vein closer to the surface of the skin. In DVT, the blood clot in leg veins is deep within a muscle and has an increased risk of serious complications.
DVT Symptoms
A relatively common issue, approximately 1 in 20 people get DVT at some point in their lifetime with certain factors increasing the risk. Since it’s such a serious condition, It’s important to recognise DVT early and seek treatment immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms.
Painful Swelling in One Leg
One of the key symptoms of DVT is swelling or pain in the affected leg. Usually, the pain only occurs in one, not both legs, so you should keep a close eye on it if you notice swelling. In some cases, however, DVT can affect both the left and the right side, so don’t discount swelling if it persists for a few days. This may mean you need non-surgical vein treatment, or at the very least, closer DVT management to monitor your symptoms.
Warm Sensations
Sensations of warmth and cramping are also common deep vein thrombosis symptoms. A blood clot in leg veins can cause the area to feel flushed and warm to the touch, even without movement or a lot of exercise. This may be accompanied by other symptoms such as experiencing painful sensations when extending and flexing your foot or ankle.
Calf Cramping or Soreness
Regarding cramping, soreness with pain starting in the calf is something else to look for in terms of DVT symptoms. If you experience a persistent cramp or sudden muscle spasms, whether when standing, walking, sitting, or laying down, it could indicate a need for treatment.
Visibly Hard Veins
If your leg veins are tender to touch and visibly hard, it could be a sign of DVT. Getting a prompt diagnosis is essential to distinguish this condition from other health concerns like lymphoedema and chronic venous disease.
Discolouration
Red, discoloured skin on your legs is another common symptom. While there are other potential causes for irritated skin, such as rashes and infections, if there is significant discolouration accompanied by other symptoms, it’s a possibility that should be further explored with a professional diagnosis because it is so critical to recognise DVT early.
Causes and Risk Factors
To efficiently pump blood back towards your heart, leg veins rely on mechanical assistance provided by your muscles to work against gravity. Contracting calf muscles and valves in the veins through movement helps facilitate this healthy blood flow. Anything that disrupts this process can heighten the chances of developing DVT, along with other risk factors related to lifestyle, health or genetics. This includes:
- Family history of vein conditions
- Immobility or prolonged sitting
- Hormone therapy or contraceptive use
- Suffering a major injury such as fractures or spinal cord injuries
- Undergoing a major surgery
- Cancer
- Infection
- Coronary heart disease
- Blood clotting disorders
- Chronic heart failure
- Untreated varicose veins
- Older age
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Dehydration
Long distance travel, particularly flying longer than 8 to 10 hours, can also heighten your risk of developing DVT. This is more common for those who already meet one of the risk factors listed above. Keep in mind that sometimes DVT can occur for no obvious reason.
Complications
If DVT is left undiagnosed and untreated, various complications can arise. This includes leg ulcers, inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), leg ulcers, postphlebitic syndrome (long term pain and swelling) and pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism is the most serious complication. It’s when the blood clot travels from the leg vein to the lungs. When the clot lodges in the lungs, the main artery can become blocked, starving the lung tissue of oxygen. Approximately one third of people who suffer a major pulmonary embolism will die. If detected, there are life-saving treatments available for complications like pulmonary embolism, including medicines that dissolve the clot and restore blood flow.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to get medical assistance as soon as possible if you think you have DVT. Early detection is crucial to alleviate the potentially fatal risk of complications arising.
How DVT is Diagnosed
DVT is most often diagnosed with a vascular ultrasound, contrast venography or blood test. This is done within 24 hours if a health professional suspects you may have DVT. Ultrasounds show if blood is flowing normally through your veins or if there is a blockage.
A venogram involves injecting dye into the foot and taking X-rays of the leg veins to see if there is a blockage. Blood tests, like a D-dimer blood test, are designed to detect a particular protein called D-dimer produced by blood clots.
DVT Treatment Options
Once diagnosed, there are a variety of treatment options available to address the condition, including medications, surgical procedures and lifestyle changes like exercise to prevent DVT recurrence. The appropriate treatment plan will depend on the circumstances of each individual case.
Non-Surgical Treatments
In the vast majority of cases, the prescribed treatment for DVT is an anticoagulant medicine. Coming in a tablet form, you will need to take it orally for at least six weeks. You may also be given an injection of an anticoagulant medicine when you are initially diagnosed with DVT. Compression stockings may also be recommended as part of the treatment process.
Surgical and Advanced Procedures
In some rarer cases, medicine alone may not be enough to eliminate the clot or prevent future recurrence. Your health professional may then recommend an advanced procedure such as:
- Catheter-directed thrombolysis – A special tube called a catheter is inserted into the blood vessels through to the site of the blood clot where it deploys powerful anticoagulant drugs. The catheter also emits high-frequency ultrasound pulses to help the drugs work faster.
- Vein filters – This involves using a thin catheter to insert a filter into your neck or groin to prevent DVT lots from moving through the inferior vena cava into your lung and causing a pulmonary embolism.
Other treatments involve breaking up and sucking out the blood clot using a small catheter in the vein, but this is not suitable for everyone.
Lifestyle Changes for DVT
It is also important to manage risk factors to prevent further blood clots after your initial treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. This includes lifestyle changes for DVT like:
- Stopping smoking
- Improving nutrition
- Managing body weight
- Doing a specific exercise to prevent DVT
- Moving on a more regular basis
If you have a high or moderate risk of DVT, regular use of anticoagulant medicines to prevent clots forming in the first place may be recommended.
You may also need to get tested for antiphospholipid syndrome, a blood disorder that puts you at greater risk of developing blood clots. If taking anticoagulant medicines, check whether any other medicine you’re taking could negatively interact with anticoagulant medicines.
DVT Prevention Tips During Long Travel
Long distance travel by air, road or rail for longer than four hours is associated with an increased risk of DVT in susceptible people. To help reduce the risk of DVT while travelling long distances:
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes
- Drink plenty of water
- Sit with your legs uncrossed
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol
- Move around whenever possible before, during and after travelling
- Try doing some simple leg and foot stretches every couple of hours while sitting to keep your calf muscles active and pumping blood.
If you have a high risk of DVT, speak with your doctor before travelling. Wearing compression stockings or taking temporary medicines may be another suitable option to reduce your risk. If you are on anticoagulant medicines, ensure you follow doctor recommendations when traveling.
Enquire Today About DVT Diagnosis and Treatments in Melbourne
To learn more about diagnosing, treating and reducing your risk of DVT, book an appointment at Vein Care in Melbourne. Our specialist vein doctors provide a wide range of minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments for different vein conditions, from varicose veins to DVT. Call us today on 1300 730 100 or contact us online.
