Deep Vein Thrombosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

DVT or Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which you may experience blood clot in some of the veins of your body. DVT can cause severe pain as well as swelling and it can also lead to some complications like pulmonary embolism. DVT occurs when the blood clot in any of the deep vein. Deep veins pass through the center of your leg and surrounded by a layer of muscle. When blood clots form in superficial veins that lie just beneath the skin, the condition is called superficial thrombophlebitis. These types of blood clots are different from DVT and are much less severe.

Many blood clots that cause DVT are small and produce no symptoms. Your body is usually able to finish them off little by little, without long-term effects. DVT can cause other problems, but possible complications include the following. This is serious and the cases can be very serious.

This will happen if the DVT will damage the valves in the deep veins, therefore instead of flowing upwards, blood will stay in the lower leg. This can finally lead to swelling, long-term pain and in severe cases, ulcers in the leg. This rare complication occurs only in a very extensive DVT, which will occur due to the coagulation of blood pressure in the vein. This can block blood flow through the arteries, as less oxygen is transported to the leg. This can be painful and result in skin ulcers, gangrene and also in carious other infections.

Studies have been also proved that the long-haul flights (which will last for more than four hours) may increase the chances of developing Deep vein thrombosis. The risk is primarily the result for sitting long time, which can occur during any type of long distance travel, whether by car, bus, train or air. In general, the risk of developing DVT while traveling is very small unless you have at least one of the above risk factors (such as cancer or history of DVT). If this is the case, you should talk to your doctor before traveling on a flight of more than four hours.

Anticoagulant medications are the standard treatment for DVT. Anticoagulants include warfarin and heparin. You can also find numerous things, which will help you in reducing the risk of this condition. For example, the people who smoke will be able to see great changes once they quit smoking. In the same way, if you are overweight, it is necessary to reduce your weight as it can affect the treatment, which you undergo for this problem. However, it is very important to consult a specialist before you plan to under go any treatment program for deep vein thrombosis as if you are not selecting the right treatment option, it will increase the risk by developing DVT.

As you will not be able to understand the symptoms of DVT easily, it is very important to consult an expert if you experience any type of joint pains while you travel.