What is DVT?

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition where blood clots in the deep veins that run through the muscles of the calf and thigh muscles. Blood is designed to clot when outside of the veins in order to stop extensive bleeding, but when it clots inside a vein it causes problems as it stops the circulation of blood around the body – which is clearly crucial to our existence. When the blood clots in the leg it can clot fully or partially, depending on the severity, it can cause immobility.

Symptoms of DVT :

DVT is usually identified by the following symptoms:

• Warm Skin
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Redness located at the back of the knee, below the joint
• Numbness of the feet

You may also experience cramping, fatigue in the legs, buttocks or feet during activity. The pain felt in the legs or feet can diminish with rest but will re-occur during exercise.

A condition called Pulmonary Embolism can also develop as a result of the blood clot in the leg travelling through the veins to the lungs – extra symptoms of this condition include breathlessness, chest pain and in more severe cases, collapse. Both DVT and pulmonary Embolism are serious and require urgent investigation and treatment.

Causes of DVT :

DVT is caused by poor circulation and can be caused through genetic conditions and is more commonly found in those over age 40 and particularly if you have mobility issues.

However the risk of developing the condition can be increased through lifestyle behaviour. The following can have an effect:

• Smoking

• Inactive lifestyle

• Poor Diet

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

• Takers of the combined pill

• Long periods of immobility

Relief and Prevention of DVT :

Prevention is better than the cure in this case and changing lifestyle habits can considerably reduce your risk of developing the condition.

• Avoid smoking
• Regularly have your blood pressure checked
• Regularly have your cholesterol levels checked
• Regularly exercise
• Avoid staying immobile for long periods of time
• Keep the extremities of your body warm

If you have the condition, there are treatments available that will prevent the clot from getting larger or breaking off and travelling up the vein to the lungs – causing Pulmonary Embolism. Treatment can also reduce the risk of further DVT occurring.

Possible treatments are:

Anticoagulation (more commonly known as thinning of the blood) is a process where medication is taken to alter the chemicals within the blood to stop it from clotting as easily. The sooner this treatment is undertaken after DVT develops the more effective it will be.

Compression Stockings:

Compression stockings help to prevent damage to the calf tissue that is caused by increased blood pressure due to the blood being sent to the outer veins because it can’t get through the deep vein. They can also work to reduce or in some cases prevent calf pain, inflammation and the development of ulcers.

It is recommended that stockings are worn daily for two years as a treatment. Simply because once DVT has developed the risk of developing post-thrombotic syndrome remains for several months after you have had DVT. Compression Stockings should be professionally fitted and should be taken off when at rest.

Raising your legs will also help to treat the condition by relieving the pressure in the veins of the calf and stopping blood from pooling in the calf itself. When using this method of treatment you should always ensure that the leg is raised higher than the hip. You can also make sure that your legs are raised while asleep by bolstering up the end of your mattress.

If you have any questions about the condition you should consult your GP