What are the key symptoms of blood clots that should not be ignored. How can you recognize the signs of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. What are the risk factors for developing blood clots. How can blood clots be prevented and treated effectively.

Understanding Blood Clots: Formation, Types, and Risks

Blood clots are accumulations of cells and proteins in the blood that play a crucial role in stopping bleeding when we’re injured. While they’re essential for healing, clots can become problematic if they don’t dissolve naturally or form unnecessarily. These unexpected clots can lead to severe complications and even death if left untreated.

There are two main types of dangerous blood clots:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A clot that forms deep inside a vein, typically in the legs
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A clot that travels to and becomes lodged in the lungs

Both DVT and PE are considered medical emergencies and require immediate attention. But what causes these potentially life-threatening clots to form?

Risk Factors for Blood Clot Formation

Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing a blood clot:

• Recent surgery or prolonged immobility (e.g., long flights, extended bed rest)
• Obesity
• Diabetes or high cholesterol
• Advanced age (over 60)
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth
• Smoking
• Certain medications (e.g., birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy)
• Family history of blood clots

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection of blood clots. But how can you recognize the signs of a potentially dangerous clot?

Four Critical Blood Clot Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

While blood clots can sometimes form without apparent symptoms, there are several warning signs that should prompt immediate medical attention:

1. Swelling in One Limb

When a clot impedes blood flow, it can cause fluid buildup and swelling in the affected area. This symptom is particularly noticeable in cases of DVT in the legs.

What does this swelling look like? The affected limb may appear larger than the other, feel tight, and have a shiny or discolored appearance. It’s important to note that this swelling can persist even after the clot has dissolved, potentially leading to a condition known as post-thrombotic syndrome.

2. Skin Discoloration

Blood clots can cause visible changes in skin color. In the case of DVT, the affected area may appear reddish or bluish. For pulmonary embolism, the skin might become pale, bluish, or clammy due to reduced oxygen flow.

Why does this discoloration occur? When a clot obstructs blood flow, it can cause blood to pool in the affected area, leading to visible color changes. Even after the clot resolves, some discoloration may persist due to damage to the blood vessels.

3. Pain or Tenderness

Pain is often one of the first noticeable symptoms of a blood clot. The discomfort typically occurs at the site of the clot and can range from a dull ache to a sharp, intense pain.

What does blood clot pain feel like? For DVT, you might experience a cramping sensation in your calf or thigh. In the case of PE, you could feel sudden, severe chest pain that worsens when you take a deep breath or cough. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience unexplained pain, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms on this list.

4. Shortness of Breath

Difficulty breathing is a hallmark symptom of pulmonary embolism. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can obstruct blood flow and oxygen exchange, leading to breathlessness.

What other symptoms might accompany shortness of breath? You may also experience a rapid pulse, chest pain, or even cough up blood. These symptoms indicate a medical emergency and require immediate hospitalization.

Location-Specific Blood Clot Symptoms

While the four symptoms mentioned above are critical warning signs, blood clots can manifest differently depending on their location in the body. Let’s explore some location-specific symptoms:

Brain Blood Clots

A blood clot in the brain, also known as a stroke, can cause severe and sudden symptoms:

• Intense headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Seizures
• Speech difficulties
• Weakness or paralysis, often on one side of the body

Stroke symptoms require immediate medical attention, as every minute counts in preserving brain function.

Heart Blood Clots

A clot in the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack. Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Pain radiating to the arm (especially the left arm)
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and lightheadedness

If you suspect a heart attack, call emergency services immediately.

Abdominal Blood Clots

Clots in the abdominal veins, such as portal vein thrombosis or mesenteric venous thrombosis, can cause:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood in stool (which may appear black and have a foul odor)
• Fever

These symptoms can develop slowly or suddenly and require prompt medical evaluation.

Kidney Blood Clots

Renal vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the kidneys, often develop gradually and may not cause immediate symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Lower back pain
• Blood in urine
• Decreased urine output
• Fever and nausea (especially in rapidly developing cases)

Any suspicion of kidney blood clots warrants a visit to your healthcare provider or the emergency room.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Blood Clots

Given the potential severity of blood clots, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. But how are blood clots diagnosed and what treatment options are available?

Diagnostic Procedures

Healthcare providers use various methods to diagnose blood clots:

• Physical examination and medical history review
• Blood tests (e.g., D-dimer test)
• Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI
• Venography or pulmonary angiography in certain cases

The choice of diagnostic method depends on the suspected location of the clot and the patient’s overall health status.

Treatment Options

Once a blood clot is diagnosed, treatment typically focuses on preventing the clot from growing, breaking loose, or causing further complications. Common treatment approaches include:

1. Anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) to prevent clot growth and formation of new clots
2. Thrombolytic therapy (clot-busting drugs) for severe or life-threatening clots
3. Catheter-directed thrombolysis for targeted clot dissolution
4. Surgical intervention in certain cases
5. Supportive care and management of underlying conditions

The specific treatment plan will depend on the location and severity of the clot, as well as the patient’s overall health and risk factors.

Preventing Blood Clots: Lifestyle Changes and Medical Interventions

While not all blood clots can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Lifestyle Modifications

• Maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise
• Stay hydrated, especially during long trips
• Avoid prolonged periods of immobility – take breaks to move around during long flights or car rides
• If you have a desk job, stand up and move at least every two hours
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Medical Interventions

• Discuss the use of compression stockings with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re at high risk
• Follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding medications, especially if you’re taking hormonal treatments
• If you’re undergoing surgery, follow all pre- and post-operative instructions to reduce clot risk
• For those at high risk, your doctor may prescribe preventive anticoagulant medications

Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to blood clots.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Blood Clot Emergencies

Given the potential severity of blood clots, it’s crucial to know when to seek immediate medical attention. But what situations warrant an emergency room visit?

Emergency Situations

Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Sudden, severe shortness of breath
• Chest pain, especially if it worsens with deep breaths
• Coughing up blood
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat accompanied by shortness of breath
• Sudden, severe headache with neurological symptoms (confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness on one side)
• Swelling, warmth, and pain in a limb, especially if one side is more affected than the other

These symptoms could indicate a pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, or deep vein thrombosis – all of which require immediate medical intervention.

Non-Emergency Situations

While less urgent, the following situations still warrant prompt medical attention:

• Persistent swelling in a limb that doesn’t improve with elevation
• Unexplained pain or tenderness in a limb
• Skin discoloration or warmth in a specific area
• Enlarged surface veins

These symptoms could indicate a developing blood clot or other circulatory issues that need medical evaluation.

Living with Blood Clots: Long-Term Management and Quality of Life

For those who have experienced a blood clot, life doesn’t end with treatment. Long-term management is crucial to prevent recurrence and maintain quality of life. But what does this management entail?

Ongoing Medical Care

Long-term management of blood clots often includes:

• Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider
• Continued use of anticoagulant medications as prescribed
• Monitoring for signs of post-thrombotic syndrome in cases of DVT
• Management of underlying conditions that increase clot risk

Lifestyle Adjustments

Living with a history of blood clots may require some lifestyle changes:

• Maintaining an active lifestyle while being mindful of activities that increase injury risk
• Wearing compression stockings if recommended by your doctor
• Being vigilant about symptoms of recurrence
• Planning ahead for situations that increase clot risk, such as long trips

Emotional and Psychological Support

Experiencing a blood clot can be emotionally taxing. Many patients benefit from:

• Joining support groups for blood clot survivors
• Seeking counseling to address anxiety or depression related to the experience
• Educating family and friends about blood clots and their management

Remember, with proper management and support, many people go on to lead full, active lives after experiencing a blood clot.

Advances in Blood Clot Research: New Treatments and Future Directions

The field of blood clot research is dynamic and constantly evolving. Scientists and medical professionals are continually working to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. What are some of the exciting developments in this field?

Innovative Diagnostic Tools

Researchers are developing new ways to detect blood clots more quickly and accurately:

• Advanced imaging techniques that can detect smaller clots
• Blood tests that can more precisely predict clot risk
• Wearable devices that can monitor for signs of developing clots

Novel Treatment Approaches

New treatment strategies are being explored to improve outcomes and reduce side effects:

• Targeted thrombolytic therapies that can dissolve clots with less risk of bleeding
• Gene therapies aimed at correcting underlying clotting disorders
• Nanotechnology-based treatments for more precise drug delivery

Personalized Medicine

The future of blood clot management lies in personalized approaches:

• Genetic testing to identify individuals at higher risk for clots
• Tailored anticoagulation regimens based on individual patient factors
• Personalized prevention strategies accounting for lifestyle and medical history

These advancements promise to revolutionize how we approach blood clot prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, potentially saving countless lives in the process.

As we continue to learn more about blood clots and develop new strategies to combat them, it’s crucial for individuals to stay informed about their risk factors and the latest developments in this field. By combining personal vigilance with cutting-edge medical care, we can work towards a future where the dangers of blood clots are significantly reduced.

4 Blood Clot Symptoms Not To Ignore

Medically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on November 18, 2022

It’s a clump of cells and protein in your blood. A clot helps slow bleeding when you’re injured. It usually dissolves as you heal. But if it doesn’t, or if it forms when it’s not needed, it can clog up or completely block a blood vessel.

An unexpected clot can lead to serious problems and even death. In an artery, it can give you a heart attack or a stroke. If it happens in a vein, you can feel pain and swelling. A clot deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). One in your lungs is a pulmonary embolism (PE). They’re both medical emergencies.

You can get a blood clot if you break a bone or pull a muscle badly. But sometimes you may not know why it happened or even realize you have one. There are clues though. Your odds of a clot are higher if you:

• Are recovering from surgery or had to sit for many hours on a flight or in a wheelchair
• Are overweight or obese
• Have diabetes or high cholesterol
• Are over 60

When a clot slows or stops the flow of blood, it can build up in the vessel and make it swell. If it happens in your lower leg or calf, it’s often a sign of DVT. But you also can have a clot in your arms or belly. Even after it goes away, one in three people still have swelling and sometimes pain and sores from damage to the blood vessel.

If a clot plugs up veins in your arms or legs, they may look bluish or reddish. Your skin also might stay discolored from the damage to blood vessels afterward. A PE in your lung could make your skin pale, bluish, and clammy.

Sudden, intense chest pain could mean the clot has broken off and caused a PE. Or it could be a sign that a clot in your artery gave you a heart attack. If so, you also might feel pain in your arm, especially on the left. A clot often hurts where it’s located, like in your lower leg, stomach, or under your throat.

This is a serious symptom. It could be a sign that you have a clot in your lung or your heart. Your heart might also race, or you may feel sweaty or faint.

A clot can give you different symptoms based on where it is. A PE can give you a fast pulse, chest pain, bloody cough, and shortness of breath. Get to the hospital right away. You also might have no signs.

This can feel similar to a clot in the lung. But if it’s a heart attack, you also might feel nausea and lightheadedness along with the chest pain. Either way, call 911 or get to a hospital right away.

Pressure builds when blood can’t flow normally. A severe blockage sometimes can lead to a stroke. Without oxygen from the blood, your brain cells start to die in minutes. A clot in your brain can cause headaches, confusion, seizures, speech problems, and weakness, sometimes on just one side of the body.

Often, you have no symptoms at all. Blocked veins in the stomach or esophagus, a tube that connects it to your throat, can rip and leak blood. That can hurt a lot. You may poop or vomit blood, and your stool might look black and smell unusually bad.

Also called renal vein thrombosis, these clots usually grow slowly and mostly in adults. You probably won’t have symptoms unless a piece breaks off and lodges in your lung. Rarely, especially in children, it can happen fast and cause nausea, fever, and vomiting. You also might have blood in your pee and go less often. 

See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. A clot can be deadly, and you won’t know for sure you have it until you get checked. Your doctor may give you a clot-busting drug or surgically thread a thin tube to the site of the clot to dissolve it. 

You can act to lower your odds of a clot. First, keep a healthy weight, eat right, and exercise. Also:

• Don’t sit or stay still for long, especially after a long trip or surgery.
• If you’re a desk jockey, get up and move at least every couple of hours. Flex your legs, feet, and toes in your chair.
• Check if tight-fitting compression socks or garments can help your blood flow.
• Ask your doctor if you might need to take clot-fighting drugs called anticoagulants.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1. Science Source
2. Getty Images
3. Getty Images
4. Science Source
5. Thinkstock
6. Getty Images
7. Thinkstock
8. Science Source
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12. Thinkstock
13. Thinkstock
14. Thinkstock

SOURCES:

AARP: “Blood Clots: Are You at Risk?”

ACP Hospitalist: “Splanchnic venous thrombosis. ”

American Society of Hematology: “Blood Clots.”

CDC: “Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots).”

Circulation: “Postthrombotic Syndrome.”

Merck Manual Consumer Version: “Renal Vein Thrombosis,” “Portal Vein Thrombosis,” “Fainting.”

RadiologyInfo.Org: “Blood Clots.”

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info

Early Stage Blood Clot In Foot Pictures

A clot can give you different symptoms based on where it is. A PE can give you a fast pulse, chest pain, bloody cough, and shortness of breath. Get to the hospital right away. You also might have no signs.

Blood Clot Symptoms to Know

It’s a clump of cells and protein in your blood. A clot helps slow bleeding when you’re injured. It usually dissolves as you heal. But if it doesn’t, or if it forms when it’s not needed, it can clog up or completely block a blood vessel.

What Problems Can It Cause?

2/14

An unexpected clot can lead to serious problems and even death. In an artery, it can give you a heart attack or a stroke. If it happens in a vein, you can feel pain and swelling. A clot deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). One in your lungs is a pulmonary embolism (PE). They’re both medical emergencies.

Know Your Chances

3/14

You can get a blood clot if you break a bone or pull a muscle badly. But sometimes you may not know why it happened or even realize you have one. There are clues though. Your odds of a clot are higher if you:

• Are recovering from surgery or had to sit for many hours on a flight or in a wheelchair
• Are overweight or obese
• Have diabetes or high cholesterol
• Are over 60

Clue: Swelling

4/14

When a clot slows or stops the flow of blood, it can build up in the vessel and make it swell. If it happens in your lower leg or calf, it’s often a sign of DVT. But you also can have a clot in your arms or belly. Even after it goes away, one in three people still have swelling and sometimes pain and sores from damage to the blood vessel.

Clue: Skin Color

5/14

If a clot plugs up veins in your arms or legs, they may look bluish or reddish. Your skin also might stay discolored from the damage to blood vessels afterward. A PE in your lung could make your skin pale, bluish, and clammy.

Clue: Pain

6/14

Sudden, intense chest pain could mean the clot has broken off and caused a PE. Or it could be a sign that a clot in your artery gave you a heart attack. If so, you also might feel pain in your arm, especially on the left. A clot often hurts where it’s located, like in your lower leg, stomach, or under your throat.

Clue: Trouble Breathing

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This is a serious symptom. It could be a sign that you have a clot in your lung or your heart. Your heart might also race, or you may feel sweaty or faint.

Location: Lung

8/14

A clot can give you different symptoms based on where it is. A PE can give you a fast pulse, chest pain, bloody cough, and shortness of breath. Get to the hospital right away. You also might have no signs.

Location: Heart

9/14

This can feel similar to a clot in the lung. But if it’s a heart attack, you also might feel nausea and lightheadedness along with the chest pain. Either way, call 911 or get to a hospital right away.

Location: Brain

10/14

Pressure builds when blood can’t flow normally. A severe blockage sometimes can lead to a stroke. Without oxygen from the blood, your brain cells start to die in minutes. A clot in your brain can cause headaches, confusion, seizures, speech problems, and weakness, sometimes on just one side of the body.

Location: Belly

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Often, you have no symptoms at all. Blocked veins in the stomach or esophagus, a tube that connects it to your throat, can rip and leak blood. That can hurt a lot. You may poop or vomit blood, and your stool might look black and smell unusually bad.

Location: Kidneys

12/14

Also called renal vein thrombosis, these clots usually grow slowly and mostly in adults. You probably won’t have symptoms unless a piece breaks off and lodges in your lung. Rarely, especially in children, it can happen fast and cause nausea, fever, and vomiting. You also might have blood in your pee and go less often.

If You Suspect a Blood Clot

13/14

See your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. A clot can be deadly, and you won’t know for sure you have it until you get checked. Your doctor may give you a clot-busting drug or surgically thread a thin tube to the site of the clot to dissolve it.

Prevention Tips

14/14

You can act to lower your odds of a clot. First, keep a healthy weight, eat right, and exercise. Also:

• Don’t sit or stay still for long, especially after a long trip or surgery.
• If you’re a desk jockey, get up and move at least every couple of hours. Flex your legs, feet, and toes in your chair.
• Check if tight-fitting compression socks or garments can help your blood flow.
• Ask your doctor if you might need to take clot-fighting drugs called anticoagulants.

Show Sources

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1. Science Source
2. Getty Images
3. Getty Images
4. Science Source
5. Thinkstock
6. Getty Images
7. Thinkstock
8. Science Source
9. Thinkstock
10. Thinkstock
11. Thinkstock
12. Thinkstock
13. Thinkstock
14. Thinkstock

AARP: “Blood Clots: Are You at Risk?”

ACP Hospitalist: “Splanchnic venous thrombosis.”

American Society of Hematology: “Blood Clots.”

CDC: “Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots). ”

Circulation: “Postthrombotic Syndrome.”

Merck Manual Consumer Version: “Renal Vein Thrombosis,” “Portal Vein Thrombosis,” “Fainting.”

RadiologyInfo.Org: “Blood Clots.”

Blood Clot in Foot – Symptoms & Treatment

If you or someone you love suspects a blood clot, seek medical attention right away. The longer you wait, the higher your chance of developing a highly dangerous clot in one of your organs. Visit your doctor or go straight to the emergency room immediately. Clots can be life-threatening. You will want the peace of mind of a proper diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner and monitor the clot. Surgery or the direct application of a clot-busting drug via a thin tube to the site of the clot may be needed. Clots are a dangerous condition that can travel through the circulatory system to anyplace in your body. If left untreated, they can become deadly. You won’t know for sure if you have one without undergoing a proper examination by a healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, go straight to the hospital:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Vomiting up blood
• Blood in your stool
• Dark foul-smelling stool
• Fainting spells
• Pain of numbness radiating into the left arm
• Slurred speech
• Droopy face
• Seizures
• Quick-onset confusion

What can I do to prevent a blood clot from forming?

You can take action to lower your odds of developing a blood clot. Follow a healthy diet low in fat, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly.

You should also:

• Avoid sitting for a long period of time, especially during a long flight or after surgery.
• If you have a desk job, set your alarm to remind you to get up and move at least every two or three hours. While sitting, flex the muscles in your legs, feet, and toes.
• Talk to your doctor about tight-fitting compression socks or garments. They may be able to help regular blood flow.
• Make an appointment with your healthcare provider. He or she may recommend taking a clot-fighting blood-thinner, sometimes called anticoagulants.

What is May-Thurner Syndrome?

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a medical condition that increases one’s chances of developing blood clots. Also known as Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome, MTS occurs when the right iliac artery presses against the left iliac vein pinching the vein. This compression can cause damage to the vein and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg. DVT is characterised by a potentially dangerous blood clot in the left leg. The clot can completely or partially block proper blood flow through the vein.

What are the warning signs for May-Thurner Syndrome?

Warning signs for MTS are subtle and very often go unnoticed. Because of this, most people do not realize they have MTS until a DVT presents itself. Individuals who experience symptoms should seek treatment. Symptoms include:

• discoloration (red or purple) of the skin,
• enlarged veins in the leg,
• leg is warm to the touch,
• swelling,
• tenderness or
• pain in the leg.

While the condition of DVT alone isn’t life-threatening, if the blood clot breaks free it has the potential to travel through the bloodstream and become lodged in the blood vessels of the lung (known as a pulmonary embolism). This is a serious and life-threatening condition.

DVT can also lead to pulmonary condition in the legs called post-thrombotic syndrome (also known as chronic venous insufficiency link). Post-thrombotic syndrome is characterized by:

• a pooling of blood in the leg,
• chronic leg swelling,
• increased pigmentation or discoloration of the skin,
• increased pressure and
• leg ulcers (known as venous stasis ulcers.)

I’ve never heard of May-Thurner Syndrome. What is it?

May-Thurner syndrome is rare. It is a vascular disorder that affects a vein in your pelvis. The right iliac artery presses against the left iliac vein, causing it to restrict blood flow. This is the vein that returns blood from your pelvis and legs back to your heart. The added pressure of the vessels pressing against each other will can cause one or both of them to narrow, impeding the blood from flowing properly. It may also cause scarring leading to a thickening of the wall. The constricted flow of blood in the leg can cause a variety of other symptoms and conditions in your legs or feet. The most problematic is perhaps a blood clot. Many people with from May-Thurner syndrome will go years without symptoms or a proper diagnosis. Over time May-Thurner syndrome can lead to:

• Swelling in the leg.
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is a condition where the blood will pool within your veins, causing pressure, swelling, skin changes and venous ulcers or sores that will not heal on their own.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a blood clot in that occurs in a vein located deep below your skin. If a DVT breaks loose a moves to your lung, heart or brain it can lead to life-threatening emergencies. For example: a heart attack, stroke or a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in your lung)

How will I know if I have May-Thurner syndrome?

Symptoms of May-Thurner syndrome can include:

• Swelling, heaviness, or a feeling of fullness in your leg or foot.
• Sores or venous ulcers on your legs or feet that don’t heal by themselves.
• Newly appearing varicose veins in your legs.

In many cases, patients have no symptoms and can go undiagnosed for years. Only when a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) develops, do many become aware of their condition.

Some symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are:

• Swelling in the leg(s).
• Pain and/or tenderness in the leg(s).
• Changes in skin color (such as redness).
• Skin that is warm to the touch.

What are the common treatments for May-Thurner Syndrome?

You don’t have to live with the worries or symptoms of May-Thurner syndrome. It is treatable. After considering your symptoms and risk factors your healthcare provider will design a tailor-made treatment program. Any successful treatment program will effectively treat your condition while considering your lifestyle and overall health.

Common treatments for May-Thurner syndrome may include:

• Taking blood thinners or anticoagulants. These medications can help prevent blood clots.
• Thrombolysis is an intravenous procedure that we use on larger clots. In it, a catheter is feed to the site of the clot, delivering high potency anti-clotting drugs directly to the blockage. We also refer to this as “clot busting.”
• A stent is a small tube made of metal mesh that is used to hold your vein open and restore proper blood flow.
• Compression stockings are tight-fitting stocking that can ease swelling in your leg. These snug stockings are worn over your legs from your toes to knee. They apply constant pressure to your lower legs. Putting continual pressure on the area, will improve swelling and increase blood flow.

Your doctor may suggest surgery in some cases. In certain cases, surgery can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms or reducing the risks of complicating conditions brought on my blood clots. Different surgerys can be used to:

• Circumvent the section of the vein where the clot or other circumstance that is causing reduced blood flow. In this procedure, a vein is taken from another place in the body and used as a bypass, opening up the flow of blood.
• Relocate the right iliac artery. Repositioning the artery so that it is no longer pressing on the left iliac vein can open up the blood flow.
• A stent may be placed in the vein to hold it open.

What are venous ulcers?

Venous ulcers are painful sores that occur on the lower leg or around the ankle. Sometimes called venous stasis ulcers or non healing wounds, venous ulcers are lingering open wounds that don’t heal easily on their own. They frequently take, weeks, months or even longer to heal.

What are the risk factors of venous ulcers?

Various medical conditions can lead to the persistent venous ulcers. Painful venous ulcers can present themselves if you suffer from:

• Obesity
• Certain groups of medicine
• Venous insufficiency
• Diabetes
• Infections
• Venous hypertension
• Inflammatory diseases
• Kidneys failure
• Poor circulation and/or blood clots
• Varicose veins

How did I know if I have venous ulcers?

If you are at risk for venous ulcers keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms:

• Area around the sores might be shiny. The skin may be tight and warm (or hot) to the touch.
• Discolored skin (red, purple)
• Dull ache in the leg or calf.
• Feeling of fullness or heaviness in the leg or calf.
• Swelling and cramping in the legs.
• Symptoms of blood pooling in the legs (purple, dark red, and/or brown spots. Swollen, hardened skin.)
• The edges of the ulcers are often unevenly shaped.
• Tingling and itchiness in the lower leg and/or ankle,

Stasis Ulcers: What are they?

Most commonly found on the ankle or calf, painful venous stasis ulcers are open sores that do not heal well on their own. They are typically red in color however a fibrous yellow tissue may cover them. The sores border is typically irregular. Red, purple, and brown spots may also be present on the lower legs and ankles. When suffering from venous stasis ulcers you may experience discharge and drainage. Venous stasis ulcers are common in people who have previously suffered from swollen legs and varicose veins.

Diagnosing and Treating Venous Ulcers

While diagnosing the venous ulcers is not difficult, finding the proper cause of these painful sores can be challenging. Some Western Pennsylvania providers use a duplex ultrasound. This is a noninvasive imaging test that we use to diagnose which veins are causing the venous ulcers. The difference in this approach is that it pinpoints the abnormal vein or veins. By finding the cause of the ulceration, we can treat the venous pathology and thereby prevent the return of the ulcers once healed.

After your veins have been evaluated, your healthcare provider will recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs:

Compression Stockings for blood clot

Treatment of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis – the cost of surgery in the clinic “Mother and Child” in Tyumen

Thrombophlebitis of superficial veins – aseptic inflammation of the vein wall, accompanied by the formation of a blood clot in its lumen. Any superficial vein may be affected.

Main complaint – pain; along the course of the vein, it is possible to determine the compaction in the form of a painful band.

Causes

– varicose veins of the lower extremities

— traumatic vein injury

— systemic diseases or a manifestation of a malignant neoplasm

Treatment of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in Tyumen:

Clinical hospital “Mother and Child” Tyumen

thrombophlebitis is necessary as soon as possible perform duplex angioscanning of the veins of the lower extremities to clarify the prevalence of the process and draw up a treatment plan. Often, the clinical manifestations of the level of thrombosis do not correspond to its actual prevalence according to ultrasound data.

Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities – is often asymptomatic and remains unrecognized. Deep vein thrombosis can complicate the postoperative period in elderly patients and with prolonged bed rest. It occurs due to a combination of factors: damage to the inner layer of the vascular wall (endothelium), slowing down venous blood flow, and increasing blood clotting.

Risk factors:

– heart failure

– old age

– malignant neoplasms

– injuries

– prolonged limb immobilization

– prolonged bed rest

– oral contraceptives 900 05

– pathology of the blood coagulation system (hemostasis)

Deep vein thrombosis usually begins with veins of the lower leg, a growing thrombus can completely block the lumen of the vessel and lead to a violation of the venous outflow from the limb.

Disease symptoms:

– swelling of the limb, pain, tenderness on palpation, fever of the limb, however, in some cases, the clinical picture may be asymptomatic.

If you suspect thrombosis or thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities, we recommend that you immediately consult a doctor. In the Clinical Hospital of the Mother and Child Clinical Hospital, an examination to rule out thrombosis or thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities and small pelvis will take no more than two hours. When the diagnosis is confirmed, in the surgical department of the hospital, vascular surgeons under the guidance of the Deputy Chief Physician for Surgery A.V. Panin will develop and offer the best way to treat the disease.

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services – Treatment of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis

Clinical Hospital “Mother and Child” Tyumen

Treatment of thrombosis and thrombophlebitis

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Hippocrates Medical Center – Treatment of thrombophlebitis in Khimki

Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the walls of the veins, which results in partial or complete blockage of the vascular lumen by blood clots. The disease most often affects the lower extremities, but there are other sites of damage.

The danger of the pathology is that the thrombus can migrate with the blood flow from the superficial veins to the deep and small branches of the pulmonary artery. This leads to the development of pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition. Therefore, at the first symptoms of thrombophlebitis, you need to consult a doctor in order to timely identify the inflammatory process and begin treatment.

Types of disease

Thrombophlebitis can be acute or chronic. In the first case, there is a bright symptomatology with a favorable prognosis. Recovery occurs in less than a month without recurrence. In the absence of treatment, this form flows into a chronic one, with blurred symptoms, periodic exacerbations. This state can last for years.

There is also a classification of the disease depending on the location. So, thrombophlebitis of superficial and deep veins is distinguished. In 60% of patients, thrombophlebitis develops in the lower extremities. Other varieties of the disease were named:

• Paris-Trousseau syndrome (migratory thrombophlebitis) – the occurrence of one or more blood clots along the vein with signs of inflammation, which disappear in one place and move to other areas;
• Mondor’s disease – thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the anterior surface of the chest and abdomen;
• Buerger’s syndrome (thromboangiitis obliterans) is an inflammatory disease manifested by narrowing of predominantly small vessels of the lower and upper extremities with frequent development of necrosis;
• Paget-Schretter syndrome (traumatic thrombosis, effort syndrome) – develops in the subclavian vein and spreads to the axillary, as well as to the vein of the shoulder;
• Budd-Chiari syndrome is a condition caused by a violation of the outflow of blood from the liver.

Depending on the presence of infection, thrombophlebitis can be septic or aseptic. There are also occlusive and non-occlusive types of the disease. In the first case, the thrombus completely blocks the lumen of the vein, and in the second – partially.

Symptoms of thrombophlebitis

The manifestations of the disease differ depending on its type, but there are basic symptoms of thrombophlebitis. So, with inflammation of the superficial veins, the following is observed:

• severe venous hyperemia (blood overflow) of the problem area;
• the appearance of induration under the skin;
• heaviness in the legs;
• distended veins;
• limb edema;
• pain when moving and probing the affected area;
• redness at the site of thrombosis of the vessel.

At first, only local symptoms are observed, but as the inflammatory process develops, the general condition worsens, the motor function of the limb is impaired, and body temperature rises.

Causes of the disease

Thrombophlebitis does not occur suddenly. In most cases, the inflammatory process is formed against the background of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. In addition, the following factors contribute to the development of pathology:

• insufficient physical activity;
• smoking;
• taking hormonal drugs;
• large power loads on the vessels;
• overweight;
• mechanical injuries;
• surgical operations;
• allergic reactions and sensitization;
• immunosuppression;
• chronic infections;
• oncological processes;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• paralysis;
• catheterization, prolonged use of drips;
• administration of high doses of drugs.

Acute thrombophlebitis can also occur against the background of autoimmune diseases such as vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.

Another important factor influencing the development of pathology is age. Older people are more prone to congestion, including the formation of blood clots. It is also known that women are more likely to experience this disease than men.

Methods of diagnosis

In addition to visual examination, thrombophlebitis is diagnosed using Doppler ultrasound of vessels. This method makes it possible to analyze the blood flow of superficial and deep veins, to identify areas with a narrow lumen and obstructed blood circulation. If ultrasound diagnosis is not enough, contrast-enhanced computed tomography is prescribed.

After the ultrasound, the doctor prescribes laboratory tests: complete blood count and biochemical, coagulogram, D-dimer test.

Treatment of thrombophlebitis

Drug therapy of thrombophlebitis is used in the initial stage of the disease. It includes:

• anti-inflammatory drugs – eliminate inflammation, have an analgesic effect;
• anticoagulants – prevent blood clotting, dilute it;
• angioprotectors – normalize metabolic processes in the wall of blood vessels, reduce vascular permeability and improve microcirculation;
• antiplatelet agents – prevent thrombosis by inhibiting platelet aggregation (“gluing”) and suppress their fixation to the inner surface of blood vessels;
• phlebotonics – increase the elasticity of the venous wall, improve lymph flow, reduce vascular permeability, have a beneficial effect on the rheology (fluidity) of the blood;
• antibiotics – effective in infectious lesions of blood vessels.

Additionally, compression therapy is used with the use of bandages, stockings. This method improves blood circulation, relieves pain.

In addition, physiotherapy helps to achieve good results in thrombophlebitis. Procedures prevent the development of the inflammatory process, accelerate tissue regeneration.

An operation is prescribed if a blood clot has blocked the lumen of the vein or there is such a threat. In surgery, several types of surgical intervention are used for thrombophlebitis:

• thrombectomy – removal of a blood clot from the vessels by cutting out from the place of formation;
• invagination (inversion) stripping – removal of the trunk of the great saphenous vein using a special probe, which by turning the vein inside out and gradually detaching it from the surrounding tissues;
• crossectomy (Troyanov-Trendelenburg operation) – ligation of the mouth of the great saphenous vein in the area of ​​the sapheno-femoral fistula, access to the vein is provided through an incision in the thigh;
• stenting – installation of a metal frame (stent) in the place of narrowing of the vessel.