Signs, Symptoms and Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms inside of a deep vein somewhere within the body. While these blood clots can form anywhere in the body, they most commonly form inside of the thigh or the lower part of the leg. Blood clots within deep veins are a very serious problem since they can break apart and move quickly through the bloodstream. This can result in a stroke, heart attack, or even cause a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot within the lungs. For this reason, deep vein thrombosis is a condition that needs to be seen under the care of a physician.

There are many causes of blood clots which will increase a person's chances of developing deep vein thrombosis. One of the primary causes is sitting down for long periods of time without moving, since this causes the blood in your body to flow very slowly. This can occur if a person is disabled, unable to get out of bed for an extended period of time, or sitting in a car or airplane during a very lengthy trip. Damage to a vein is another risk factor, whether the damage occurs during surgery or a serious injury. A further cause is hypercoagulability, or a condition that results in blood forming clots easily. Smoking, obesity and taking birth control pills also increases one's risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

The main symptom of deep vein thrombosis is swelling in the leg containing the clot. Further symptoms include pain, warmth or redness and feeling tender to the touch in comparison to the non-affected leg. Occasionally, a person may not have any obvious symptoms of the condition and are unaware that they have it until a pulmonary embolism strikes and they begin having problems breathing.

An ultrasound is a common procedure that doctor's use to determine if a patient has deep vein thrombosis. This test is done to see how well blood is flowing through the veins, and also to check if there are any obvious clots present.

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis consists of taking medications, such as blood thinners, to prevent clots from forming. Normally a patient will take blood thinner medication anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on the patient's health history. Compression stockings, or support socks, can also be worn to help alleviate any pain or swelling that may be present. Compression stockings are generally worn every day and can help to keep the blood flowing properly within the veins. Frequent elevation of the legs will also relieve swelling.

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