WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Deep vein thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fleh-BITE-is) or
thrombosis is also called DVT for short. It develops when a
blood clot forms inside a vein. The clot may block part or all
of the blood flow. It may also break away from the vein wall
and lodge in a lung. DVT usually occurs in the lower
legs (calves) or lower pelvis. Rarely does it occur elsewhere
in the body.
Causes
The clots usually develop when blood pools or sits in a
vein for an extended period. Resting in bed for a long time
because of surgery or a long illness (such as a heart attack or
stroke) may cause the blood to pool.
Signs/Symptoms
Swelling, pain, and redness in
the area of the clot (usually in the ankle, calf, or thigh).
Walking may be painful.
Risk factors
Being over 60 years old, weighing
too much, smoking, or using birth control pills.
Do's/Don'ts
To keep from getting blood
clots:
-
Move your legs as soon as possible after surgery or
during long periods of bed rest.
-
Exercise your legs every 1 or 2 hours while on long
car or airplane trips.
-
Do not smoke if you are taking birth control
pills.
Care
You will be put in the hospital
and given blood thinners to keep clots from forming. This also
allows the body to break up clots. You may also need tests to
find out where and how big the clot is. The earlier you are
treated the less likely you are to get a clot in your
lung.
Risks
A blood clot in the leg is not
dangerous, though it can lead to long-term problems. But if the
clot breaks off and floats into the lung, it can be deadly if
left untreated. Early care can keep this from
happening.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You are bruising easily and
often.
-
You are bleeding from your gums or nose, or have
blood in your urine or stools. This may be due to blood
thinners given to prevent new clots.
-
You have increased swelling or pain in the calf of
your leg. This may be a sign of a leg
clot.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, or are
coughing-up blood. Call
911 or
0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or
clinic.
Do not drive yourself!
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: If you are getting oxygen, you may
be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Other Tests: Sometimes special tests are needed to
find the clot. One test is an x-ray of the veins after
injecting dye. Another is ultrasound. This test uses sound
waves to draw a picture of the vein and clot on a TV-type
screen.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Medicine:
-
Heparin: Keeps the blood thin so no other clots
form. It is given in an IV.
-
Other Blood Thinners: Blood thinners that can be
taken by mouth include aspirin and warfarin. These also
keep the blood from forming clots.
-
Clot Busters: These drugs break apart clots. They
are given in your IV, usually at the same time as
heparin. This medicine can make you bleed or bruise
easily.
-
Pain Medicine: May be given in your IV, as a shot,
or by mouth. If the pain does not go away or comes back,
tell a doctor right away.
-
Activity:
-
At first you will need to rest in bed. Your feet
may be raised a little. Elastic wraps and warm packs may
be placed on the area of the clot.
-
You may be asked to slowly move your legs and
ankles, and wiggle your toes a few minutes out of every
hour that you are awake. This keeps blood from settling
in your legs and causing more blood clots. You'll be
warned to avoid crossing your legs or
ankles.
-
Once you are allowed to walk, you will need to wear
tight knee socks. This keeps the blood from pooling in
your legs.
-
Surgery: If the clot does not dissolve using
medicine, it may have to be removed
surgically.
After You Leave
-
If you are taking a blood thinner (such as
warfarin):
-
Wear a medic-alert bracelet that says you are
taking a blood thinner. Ask your doctor how to get
one.
-
Tell your dentist that you are taking
it.
-
Watch for bleeding from your gums, nose, or in your
urine or stools.
-
Avoid sports that can cause injury since you will
bruise more easily.
-
Keep your stools soft so you do not strain. You can
do this by eating a high fiber diet (breads and cereals)
or taking stool softeners (as directed by your
doctor).
-
Always take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor. Do not
quit taking it on your own.
-
If you take aspirin regularly, continue to take it.
Aspirin helps thin the blood so blood clots don't form. Do
not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
instead.
-
To keep blood from pooling in your legs and forming
more clots:
-
When you are on bedrest for a long time, move your
legs, bend your ankles, and wiggle your toes for a few
minutes every hour that you are
awake.
-
Wear special elastic knee socks, especially when
you are in bed for a long time. Ask your doctor for
them.
-
Don't cross your ankles or legs for long periods of
time.
-
When you are sick or have surgery, start walking as
soon as possible.
-
When you travel, stand and walk every 1 to 2
hours.
-
Do not wear tight garters, girdles, or knee-hi
hose.
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