Deep Vein Thrombosis

The DVT is a stat of a blood clot in a deep vein inside the body, the DVT is a common condition and usually the clots happen in the veins of the leg, as this disease is common but it’s dangerous as well, and can be fatal when blood clots breaks away and move through the bloodstream, as it may cause a block in the blood vessel in the lungs called a pulmonary embolism.

The risk of DVT increases in some cases such as, being 60 years old or over 60, if you have been inactive for long time, like sitting in a flight or in a long car trip, or recovering from a surgery in bed, sometimes the DVT is due to congenital condition which increases the blood clotting, also when having a surgery causing the blood flow to reduce in a part of the body, in the state of being pregnant or giving birth recently,  people who are overweight or suffering from obesity,  also in people who have varicose veins, and people who have cancer although they are being treated, beside, when a woman who is taking pills for birth control or receiving hormone therapy including for postmenopausal symptoms, or in case of a central venous catheter.

If having more than one of the mentioned below factors then you are in more risk of having DVT.

Symptoms of DVT

• Having a swelling in one leg or both legs.
• Pain or tenderness in one leg that you usually feel when you stand or walk.
• Feeling that your skin is red or warm, or may be discolored in the infected leg.

However some people don’t show any of these symptoms but in case of having any you should consult your doctor immediately, then he will recommend you some tests to know whether you have DVT or not, these tests may include an ultrasound or  venography.

Treating DVT

When treating DVT we aim to do several things, starting by stopping the clot from becoming bigger in size, also stop it from breaking off and moving through the blood stream into the lungs, finally prevent any blood clotting in the future, and to maintain these things several medicines can be taken, and the commonly used are anticoagulants (also called blood thinners) such as warfarin or heparin, the aim of taking anticoagulants is to make your blood thinner in order to prevent clots from forming in the blood.