overview
- Blood clot in the leg vein
- Blood clot in the vein of the legOpen popup dialog
- Thrombophlebitis (Throm-Boe-Fluh-BY-Tis) is an inflammatory process in which a blood clot and one or more veins form, usually in your legs. The affected vein may be near the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or deep inside a muscle (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Causes are trauma, surgery, or prolonged inactivity.
DVT increases your risk of serious health problems. It is usually treated with blood thinners. Superficial thrombophlebitis is also sometimes treated with blood thinners.
symptoms
The signs and symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis include:
- Heat, tenderness, and pain in the affected area
- Redness and swelling
- The signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are:
- Pain
- swelling
The reasons
The cause of thrombophlebitis is a blood clot that can form in your blood from:
- An injury to a vein
- An inherited bleeding disorder
- To be immobile for a long time, e.g. B. during an injury or in hospital
Risk factors
Your risk of thrombophlebitis increases if you:
- You are inactive for a long time, either because you are bedridden or because you have been driving or flying for a long time
- Have varicose veins, which are a common cause of superficial thrombophlebitis
- Have a pacemaker or thin, flexible tube (catheter) in a central vein to treat a disease that can irritate the walls of the blood vessels and reduce blood flow
- Are pregnant or have just given birth
- Use birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, which can increase the likelihood of blood clotting
- Have a family history of a bleeding disorder or a tendency to form blood clots
- Have ever had episodes of thrombophlebitis
- Have had a stroke
preventions
- Sitting during a long flight or car trip can cause your ankles and calves to swell and increase your risk of thrombophlebitis. To prevent a blood clot:
- To go for a walk. If you arrive by plane, train or bus, walk up and down the aisle about every hour. If you are driving, stop and move around every hour.
Exercise your legs regularly. Flex your ankles or gently press your feet against the floor or the footrest in front of you at least 10 times an hour.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic liquids to avoid dehydration.