Be #DVTalert

More than 900,000 people in the United Statesare affected by the symptoms of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) every year. However, it is among the most under-diagnosed and ignored medical condition.

Reports by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention alarmingly suggest that as many as 10-30% of people diagnosed of having DVT die in the first month of treatment and others go through several long term complications like pain, swelling, scaling and skin discoloration.

“DVT kills more people every year than AIDS, breast cancer, and motor vehicle accidents combined,” says Geno J. Merli, MD, director of internal medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

There are a number of reasons behind the occurrence of DVT, ranging from genetic to lifestyle factors, but diagnosed early, it can be completely controlled and preventable.

Understanding DVT

DVT results from blood clots in one or more of the veins in the body. In most cases, it occurs in the lower body parts, causing intense leg pain and swelling. However, in some cases, the symptoms of DVT take longer to show up while the damage is being done.

The blood clot in many cases will break loose and find its way up to your lungs and heart via the bloodstream and cause a blockage. Also known as pulmonary embolism (PE), this has been the reason of several sudden deaths (as much as 25% of patients diagnosed with DVT).

Who is at risk?

There are several reasons for the occurrence of DVT. Generally, it is the people over the age of 50 who are most likely to suffer from this condition. Ageing has been proved to slow down metabolism and the flow of blood through the veins. This raises the risk of developing clots.

However, it can also happen if you have been immobile for a long period (> 3 days). This includes the post treatment periods when you are confined to a bed after a surgery or being treated for other conditions.

As mentioned in an article in the TOI in 2011, the percentage of patients admitted to hospitals that are prone to deep vein thrombosis is as high as 67%. “Deep Vein Thrombosis is a common complication in critically ill patients,” said Dr. Farukh Udwadia. Hence, it would be important to ask your doctor for DVT prophylaxis treatment for any of your relative admitted to hospital. It is wise to be #DVTalert.

Other common reasons for the development of DVT include:
? Accidents and injuries that have damaged deep veins
? Surgery requiring more than 30 mins of Anesthesia
? Overweight / obesity, putting more pressure on your lower body parts
? Family history of DVT
? Hormone therapies and regular use of birth control pills
? Heavy smoking
? Catheter in veins
? Sedentary lifestyle and staying seated at one position for a long time, if you are already facing one of the above risk factors
? Lack of exercise and improper diet
? Recent Travel within 2 weeks more than 6 hours.
? Abdominal obesity
? Pacemaker insertion
? Superficial vein thrombosis, varicose veins.

Any kind of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer too has been seen to heighten the risk of clots. A poor heart too makes it difficult to maintain a proper blood flow throughout the body and as a result the patients are at more risk of developing a clot.

Another risk situation is pregnancy. Pregnancy coincides with increased hormone secretions, and a slower blood flow in the lower extremities. These conditions will continue even after six weeks of giving birth. This is also the time when you are mostly at rest and have gone through serious surgery (C-section).

Common symptoms of DVT

In some cases of DVT, there may be no symptoms, but it is important to be aware of the signs and risk factors of thrombosis.

As put forth by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, DVT occurs in about half of the people suffering from the symptoms.

They include:? Swelling of foot, leg, ankle, usually on one side Cramping pain that begins in the calf muscles.? Unexplained and severe pain in the foot, ankle and lower leg

? Affected area feels warmer than the rest of the leg? Discoloration of the skin in the affected area, wherein it can turn bluish or reddish.

Most of us realize of suffering from DVT when it’s already too late. An emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism can also become a life threatening complication.

Fortunately enough, there are easy treatments for the condition. Further, some lifestyle changes and wardrobe accessories can help prevent the development of DVT. Here’s what you should start following from today:

Anticoagulation

Commonly referred to as “blood thinners”; anticoagulant medication work to reduce the risk of blood clots in the body. They come both as ‘under the skin injections’ and pills.

People who are likely to develop a DVT condition can be prescribed a form of anticoagulant to make it easier for your heart and lungs to maintain a smooth blood flow. However, “blood thinners” wouldn’t be able to break down a clot if it already exists. The dosage and duration will however need to be prescribed by a certified doctor.
Surgery

In some very serious cases, doctors may resort to surgery as a means to remove a blood clot or bypass an affected vein to bring things back to normal. One of such rare forms of DVT is phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

In some cases, filters might be embedded into your abdominal veins if your condition is not appropriate for intake of blood thinners. Called the vena cava, they will not de-clot the blood but will prevent the clot from going into your lungs and increasing complications.

Exercise

To prevent DVT from at all occurring, exercising has been found to be a preventive solution. While our lifestyle is getting more and more sedentary, we need to find time to go through a light-medium exercise regiment and keep our metabolism levels at high levels.

This will ensure that he blood flows fast enough to be continuously purified and reduce the chances of a clot. Exercising will also increase the supply of oxygen into our bloodstream, ensuring that all parts of our body stay healthy and equally supplied.

Compression stockings

Compression stockings are probably the easiest way to ensure that no clot occurs on your lower body, the legs. These graduated compression stockings will streamline the blood flow and allow the leg muscles to work against gravity to effectively pump blood back to the upper body (heart) to maintain the flow cycle.

While compression stockings are especially recommended for women during pregnancy, they can be worn by all, regardless of the age group and medical conditions.

Compression stockings may also be recommended after having DVT to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome (pain and swelling in your calf that can sometimes occur after having DVT), or another DVT from occurring. These should be worn for 2 years as recommended by the NHS (UK). However, it Is best to check with your doctor for the same.

Change of diet and following a healthy regimen are other lifestyle changes that can help in fighting against the occurrence of DVT. If you are at risk, be it from being immobile for a long time or because of your family history, it is necessary that you regularly check up with your doctor and get diagnosed as early as possible. DVT is highly preventable if you put in the effort and care required to prevent it.