DVT-What is it?

A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that occurs in a vein. It can occur throughout the body, but today we will discuss the DVT that occurs in the leg. This is a condition that can occur with foot injuries and surgeries, so it is important to understand. The leg may appear as red, hot, swollen, and painful, especially in the back. This is typically associated with the following causes: trauma, surgery, smoking, varicose veins, pregnancy, birth control pills, inherited conditions, long periods of inactivity, long plane or car rides, certain diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, cancer, and others), and a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism.

This is a dangerous condition because the clot can travel to the lungs and become a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can cause death if not treated properly. Signs of a pulmonary embolism can include shortness of breath, palpitations, deep cough, blood coming up after coughing, fainting, anxiety, sharp chest pain, sweating, and rapid breathing or pulse. These are signs of a medical emergency! You must report to the nearest ER or call 911 if you have these symptoms.

If you think you have a DVT, you should report to the nearest Emergency Room for diagnosis (through a special ultrasound that measures the blood flow in veins) and treatment (with blood thinners). If you think you have a pulmonary embolism, you should immediately report to the nearest ER or call 911, as this is a life threatening condition.