Deep Vein Thrombosis
By: Riley Flores & Camryn Basile
What is it?
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually located in the legs.
Who is likely to get this disease?
You are more likely to get this disease if you are experiencing one or more of the following:
- Family History of DVT
- Having thickened blood (could happen from birth control pills, blood disorders, etc.)
- Injury to a deep vein
- Pregnancy
- Treatment for Cancer
- A central venous catheter
- Old age
- Obesity
- Smoking
Symptoms
Although the disease sometimes shows no symptoms, here are some a person might experience:
- Swelling or Pain
- Warm skin
- Red or discolored skin
- Visible Veins
- Tired legs
How it is diagnosed
The doctor will diagnose it using your medical history, a physical exam, and test results. The physical exam/test will most likely be a ultrasound, which will be used by looking at the sound waves to see the blood flowing through veins and arteries in your affected area.
Treatment
The most common medicine used by doctors to help treat the disease are Anticoagulants
- Also known as a blood thinner.
- Warfarin and Heparin are examples of blood thinners
Another method of treatment is to have a Vena Cava Filter inserted into your Vena Cava
- The filter can stop blood clots from traveling to the lungs and preventing Pulmonary Embolism.
The patient can also wear a Graduated Compression Stocking, to cease swelling in the legs and create pressure to improve blood flow
Prognosis
- DVT can often go away with no issues, but the disease can return.
- But if a blood clot breaks off and gets logged in the lung, creating pulmonary embolism, then your life can be put at risk.
DVT Prevention
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Citations
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/treatment
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000156.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/basics/definition/con-20031922
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/atrisk
http://www.webmd.com/dvt/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt-symptoms-diagnosis