WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
In thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fluh-BI-tis), a small blood
clot forms on the wall of a vein, causing it to swell. The
condition occurs most often in leg veins close to the
skin.
Signs/Symptoms
The condition is marked by
redness, tenderness, and pain in the area of the blood clot.
The area may feel hard when you touch it. You may have a
fever.
Causes
Thrombophlebitis may result from
infection or injury that prompts excessive clotting in the
veins. It can also be caused by sitting for long periods on a
plane, resting in bed for a long time, or wearing a cast. This
immobility prompts blood to pool and, eventually, clot. Smoking
while using birth control pills can also lead to more than the
usual amount of clotting. Some cases of thrombophlebitis are a
result of injury to the wall of the vein from needles or IV
fluids or the spread of blood cancer.
Care
Doctors usually recommend resting
and keeping the affected arm or leg propped up. You may be
given medicines for pain or swelling. If you have an infection,
the doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic. You may need to
wear elastic stockings. Wrapping towels, soaked in warm water,
around your legs may relieve some of the pain. If you follow
your doctor's advice, you should be better in about 2
weeks.
Do's and Don'ts
To keep from getting clots, you
should not smoke while using birth control pills. Do not abuse
IV drugs. If you must rest in bed for a long time, move your
legs around as much as possible to keep the blood
moving.
Risks
Without treatment, you could get
a more serious--possibly fatal--blood clot. Also, if the
thrombophlebitis is due to infection, you could get blood
poisoning.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Call Your Doctor If
-
You see increased swelling in your
leg.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
During treatment, you start
having:
-
Really bad pain in your leg.
-
Trouble breathing.
-
Chest pain.
-
A high temperature.
-
Cough with bloody sputum.
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: 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. It tells how much
oxygen is 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.
-
Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your
wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested for the amount of
oxygen in your blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Venogram: This is an x-ray study done to see if
there are blood clots in your veins.
-
Doppler Study: In this painless test, sound waves
are used to look at your veins on a TV-like screen. Your
doctor will be looking for clots in the veins near the area
of pain and redness.
-
Chest X-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and
heart. The doctors use it to see how your heart and lungs
are handling the illness.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed out of
bed.
-
Pressure Stockings: These special stockings keep the
blood from sitting in the legs for a long time and
developing clots. The tightness of the stockings will be
increased gradually from leg to leg.
-
Cold or Heat: A cool towel or heating pad (set on
low) placed on the area that hurts may help ease the
pain
-
Medicines:
-
Antibiotics: May be given to fight infection. They
may be given by IV, in a shot, or by
mouth.
-
Blood Thinners: Drugs such as aspirin or warfarin
will be given by mouth. They help prevent the blood from
forming clots.
After You Leave
-
Rest with your leg raised for 1 or 2 days. Move your
foot and ankle often. Return to your normal activities
slowly after the leg begins to feel
better.
-
Warm wet soaks may help relieve discomfort. Wring out
a towel in hot water and lay it over the affected area.
Resoak the towel often to keep it
warm.
-
Don't sit or stand for long periods of time. Don't
cross your legs when you sit. Rest with your leg raised
during the day.
-
For comfort--and to help prevent further
episodes--wear elastic stockings or support
hose
-
Stop smoking, especially if you are taking birth
control pills.
Return to top
|
Email this page
Printer friendly
Bookmark this page
