Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which blood clot form in deep veins.It is possible for your body to break down and resolve most mild-to-moderate clots with time and a healthy lifestyle.There's always a risk that a DVT can completely block or oclude a vein, which can lead to fragments of the thrombus breaking off and cluding blood vessels in the lungs, pulmonary arteries, or arteries connecting to the brain.It leads to serious damage or death.Taking precautions and seeking therapy are recommended if you are at risk for D VT.
Step 1: If you are obese, you should lose some weight.
The risk of DVT is higher if you are overweight or obese.The extra weight makes it harder to get blood to the heart from the feet and legs.The formation of plaques and clot are caused by the increase in blood pressure.Losing weight makes it easier on your heart and blood vessels.Increasing cardiovascular exercise and decreasing your calories will help you lose weight.500 calories a day will result in about 4 pounds of fat tissue loss a month.
Step 2: Don't be a smoker.
If you are a chronic cigarette smoker, the risk of DVT is higher.The compounds in cigarettes negatively affect blood clotting, blood vessels and circulation in general, which increases your risk of DVT and other cardiovascular diseases.Nicotine patches, cold turkey and/or suggestive subliminal tapes can be used to stop smoking.When a blood clot breaks loose within a vein and begins moving through the bloodstream, it becomes an embolism, which can get stuck in the vessels supplying the lung or heart.This can cause death in some cases.Only a small percentage of people with a pulmonary embolism die from it.Approximately 2,000,000 Americans experience a DVT each year and smoking is a significant factor.
Step 3: Be physically active.
Being sedentary for long periods of time is a risk factor for DVT, so increase your cardiovascular exercise by walking, jogging, cycling or swimming.Your calf muscles can help pump the blood in the leg veins back up to your actual heart, but only if they are contracting from some type of exercise on a fairly regular basis.If you can't exercise for hours at a time while you're sitting, then at least move your legs and feet around occasionally.Being immobile with a cast on a broken leg can be dangerous, so try to wiggle your toes while your leg is elevated.The most common signs and symptoms of DVT include swelling, redness and pain in the calf or lower leg, difficulty weight bearing, and skin that feels warm or hot to touch.It is possible that symptoms are subtle.Half of patients with DVT have no symptoms.
Step 4: The person is wearing compression stockings.
Compression stockings provide support to the muscles and blood vessels of the lower leg, which reduces swelling, as well as the risk of DVT.There are people who haveleaky vein valves who need compression stockings.The stockings should reach to your knee or higher, but may or may not have closed toes.They can be found online at medical supply stores.Unless your doctor recommends class 2 or 3 compression stockings, purchase class 1 stockings.During times of high risk, use graduated compression stockings.The speed of blood flow is increased by the fact that Graduated compression stockings are tighter at the ankle than the thigh.
Step 5: Drink more uncaffeinated beverages.
It is possible to reduce your risk of DVT by keeping well hydrated.If you live in a hot and/or dry climate, you should drink plenty of fresh fruit juices.Coffee, black tea, soda pop, and energy drinks are high in caffeine and can cause excessive urination.Try to drink a gallon of water a day during the summer.Most fresh fruit and veggies are great sources of water.
Step 6: Get a massage on your legs.
A calf and thigh muscle massage is a preventative measure for DVT.Better blood and lymph fluid circulation is promoted by massage.If you start rubbing from the lower calf you will help the blood return to the heart.Begin with a 30-minute massage.Allow the friend or therapist to go as deep as they please.Immediately after a massage, drink lots of water to flush out inflammatory by-products and lactic acid from your body.Failure to do so could cause headaches or mild nausea.If you have a DVT that is throbbing and tender, then a deep tissue massage is not a good idea.
Step 7: Try the treatments.
In an effort to reduce pain and inflammation, and promote better circulation, very thin needles are stuck into specific energy points within the skin.Although it's not recommended by medical doctors, it may be effective for reducing the risks of circulatory issues in the leg.The principles of traditional Chinese medicine allow for the release of a variety of substances that act to reduce pain.There are some points in distant parts of the body that may help with your leg symptoms.You should choose a health professional who is certified by the National Council for Certification ofAcupuncture in Medicine.
Step 8: Consider therapy that uses vibrating objects.
It is possible to reduce the risk of circulatory problems in the legs by using vibration therapy.Multiple small contractions occur deep within the calf and thigh muscles, which help to push the blood through all the small veins.The vibrating frequencies seem to relax and strengthen the musculature.It's hard to find full-body vibrating machines in rehabilitation facilities and they're too expensive to buy for home use.Another option that may work well is a hand-held vibrating massage device.If you have a DVT, talk to your doctor before you experiment with vibrational therapy.
Step 9: You should see your family physician.
If your leg becomes swollen, red and tender, and it doesn't resolve itself within a few days, then make an appointment with your doctor.Your doctor will ask you questions about your family history, diet and travel routine after examining your leg and foot.If female, your doctor might ask if you're pregnant, recently gave birth, taking birth control pills or undergoing hormone replacement therapy because higher levels of estrogen can easily cause blood clotting.During the first year of use, the birth control pill is riskier than other contraceptives.If your doctor suspects a DVT, he/she may prescribe a blood thinner.If your family doctor is not a circulatory specialist, you may need a referral to another doctor with more specialized training.
Step 10: Refer someone to a specialist.
A circulatory specialist is trained to distinguish between potential issues in the leg and elsewhere.There are a number of serious conditions that can cause leg swelling and pain.A venography (x-ray with injected dye) can be used to determine if there is a clot in the lower leg.It is possible to see if a clot has grown or been reduced.If a clot exists, the specialist may conduct a D-dimer blood test.When a clot is gradually dissolving, D-dimer is produced.
Step 11: You can talk to your doctor about powerful drugs.
If a DVT is detected, your doctor may decide to give you stronger, more powerful drugs to stop the clot's progression and then to ultimately destroy it.You might be given other blood thinners after starting with heparin injections.If you have a serious, high-risk DVT, your doctor may give you a thrombolytic-type drug via an IV line, which can quickly dissolve a clot.The FDA recently approved a new oral medication that does not require blood monitoring, such as apixaban.R-tPA is a commonly used thrombolytic agent for DVT.Although thrombolytics can cause serious internal bleeding, they are traditionally used on DVT that are considered life threatening, prompting discussion as to whether they should be used for all types of D VT.If you can't take blood thinners, your doctor may place a small filter in a vein in your abdomen to stop the clot from moving.If you are in the hospital, there is a mechanical device that can be used for a few days.These are useful with blood thinners.