Deep venous thrombosis – act immediately and take the patient to the hospital
Deep venous thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a clot in the deep veins of the legs or arms.
Causes
- Vein injuries
- Faster blood clotting
- Decreased blood flow rate in other cases, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can occur as a result of decreased blood flow rate noted due to conditions such as:
- Prolonged bed rest
- Decreased mobility of the legs due to injury or disease
- Prolonged sitting – at work, while travel
- Other causes: surgery, contraceptives, cancer, inherited diseases, smoking, dehydration and childbirth
Signs and symptoms
- The leg is red in colour
- The leg feels warm
- Pain in leg
- Leg feels tender
- Leg swelling
- Swollen calf muscles
- Swelling of the ankle, foot, thigh or arm
Diagnosis of signs and symptoms above
- D-diper -blood test
- Blood clotting test
- Ultra sound or CT scan
Treatment
- Initial hospitalization
- Compression stockings for 2 years
- Raise the leg when not busy
- Nattokinase – is a all-natural potent enzyme from a fermented soybean that can dissolve clots within 6 hours
- Anti-coagulants like Xarelto 20mg and Pradaxa – no need to monitor INR/PI as with Warfarin
Complications
- Pulmonary embolism (clot in lung)
- Post thrombotic syndrome: calf pain, swelling, rash and ulcers
Prevention
- Take your medicine as directed.
- Reduce vitamin K food intake (Cauliflower (3,6000mcg), Brussels sprouts (1,888mcg), Lettuce (135mcg), Cabbage (125mcg), Beans (290mcg), Broccoli (200mcg), Peas (260mcg), Watercress (56mcg), Asparagus (57mcg), Potatoes (50mcg), Corn Oil (50mcg), Tomatoes (5mcg), Milk (1mcg) if you take blood thinners like Warfarin.
- Exercise as soon as possible and frequently – don’t sit too long in one position. Walking is good and if you can’t get up to walk around, try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes while your heels are on the floor; exercise will prevent clotting.
- Lifestyle changes: lose weight, quit smoking and control your blood pressure. Obesity, smoking and high blood pressure will increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis.
- Nattokinase, Serrapeptase, Gingko biloba, Vitamin E and Omega oils also thins blood.
Important: if you suspect Deep Venous Thrombosis – act immediately and take the patient to the hospital.