Thrombophlebitis: symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis or thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein that occurs when a blood clot forms. This condition usually occurs on the feet.

Inflammation of the veins can cause pain, redness, swelling in the affected arm or leg. Veins in the legs are usually affected more frequently than those in the arms or neck.

What are the types of thrombophlebitis?

• Phlebitis and thrombosis in the superficial veins of the lower limb

You may hear this condition with superficial phlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis. This condition is a blood clot in a vein located just below the surface of your skin.

This condition usually doesn't reach your lungs, but it can be very painful. You need treatment to treat this condition.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

This condition describes blood clots in an inner vein in your body. Often times, this condition occurs on the underside of the feet, but it can occur in other parts of your body as well. Blood blockages like this can loosen and travel through your bloodstream.

If it gets to the arteries in your lungs, this condition is called pulmonary embolism and can damage the organ and cause death.

• Migratory thrombophlebitis

This condition is also known as Trousseau syndrome or migrant thrombophlebitis. This occurs when the blood clot returns to other parts of your body. Often times, the lump moves from one leg to the other.

This condition is often associated with cancer, especially the pancreas or lungs.

How common is thrombophlebitis?

Thrombophlebitis is common in patients aged 60 years or older. Pregnant women can also experience thrombophlebitis before or after childbirth. Please consult your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of thrombophlebitis?

Common symptoms of thrombophlebitis are redness, swelling, or heat in the injured area. Thrombophlebitis can cause a feeling of hardness or pressure in the legs or arms. Apart from that, the patient may also have fever symptoms.

The following are signs and symptoms that you will feel if you have thrombophlebitis:

• Redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin around the affected area.
• The pain gets worse when you press on the affected area.
• Swollen veins that feel like tight "knots" under your skin.
• Pain when stretching your ankle (thrombophlebitis can also occur in other parts of your body than your feet).

When should I see a doctor?

Call your doctor if there is swelling, redness, and pain in the leg - especially if you have one or more risk factors for thrombophlebitis. If there is swelling, pain in the legs, accompanied by difficulty breathing or pain in the chest when you take a deep breath, go to the emergency room immediately.

These signs and symptoms can represent deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition that increases the risk factor for the release of a blood clot from the vein to the lungs.

Cause

What causes thrombophlebitis?

The cause of thrombophlebitis is a blood clot that blocks blood flow in the veins, causing inflammation. A blood clot can form due to a number of factors, namely anything that blocks the normal circulation of blood flow. Blood clots can be caused by a number of reasons:

• Vein injury.
• Genetic clotting disorders.
• Staying in the same position for a long time, like being hospitalized.

Blood can also clot from staying idle for too long, such as on a plane or car. Standing and stretching your legs can help you avoid this condition.

You may also injure your blood vessels from an intravenous (IV) needle or catheter during a medical procedure. This type of injury is a rare cause of blood clots.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing thrombophlebitis?

Everyone with poor circulation in their legs is prone to this condition, such as pregnant women, who may develop thrombophlebitis during or after pregnancy. In addition, someone who is hospitalized with an intravenous (IV) needle is also more at risk of developing thrombophlebitis.

Here are some other things that increase your risk of developing thrombophlebitis:

• Varicose veins on the legs
• Age more than 60 years.
• Being in a fixed position for a long time (in a car or plane)
• Lying in bed for a long time, especially after surgery, myocardial infarction, stroke, or injury to the leg.
• Using a catheter (small, fine tube) inside the vein for medicinal purposes, this can trigger angiogenesis and reduce blood flow.
• Smoke.
• Pregnancy or recently giving birth increases the blood pressure in the legs and pelvis.
• Take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Overweight.
• The patient has a family history of blood clotting disorders.
• Cancer patients.

Complications

What complications may occur when I have thrombophlebitis?

Complications due to thrombophlebitis are very rare. However, if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or deep vein thrombosis, you are at risk of developing complications. These complications may include:

• Pulmonary embolism

Dislodged venous clots can travel to the lungs and block the arteries (embolism) and are potentially life-threatening.

• Post-phlebitic syndrome

The condition, also known as post-thrombotic syndrome, can develop for months or even years if you have DVT. Post-phlebitic syndrome can cause prolonged and possibly disabling pain, causing swelling and a feeling of swelling in the affected leg.

Prevention

What can I do to prevent thrombophlebitis?

Sitting on flights and long journeys can cause your ankles to swell and increase your risk of developing thrombophlebitis. Do the activities below as a precaution:

• Walk

If you are traveling by plane or bus, try to get up and walk in the corridor of the vehicle. If you are driving, stop every hour and move.

• Move your feet regularly

Flex your ankles or press your feet carefully against the floor or place your feet in front of you at least 10 times every hour.

• Wear loose clothes
• Drink lots of water that doesn't contain alcohol to avoid dehydration.

Diagnosis

How do doctors diagnose thrombophlebitis?

The doctor will ask about the discomfort and look for symptoms in the veins on the surface of the affected skin. To determine the type of thrombophlebitis you have, your doctor may perform the following tests:

• Ultrasound

A wand-like device (transducer) will move around the affected area and send out sound waves. As they travel through your leg network, sound waves will bounce back and be converted into images via the computer.

This examination can show a diagnosis and determine the type of thrombophlebitis you have.

• Blood test

Nearly all people with blood clots have naturally high levels of clotting substances called D dimers. However, D dimer levels can increase in other conditions. So, these tests are not conclusive, but may indicate a need for further testing.

Treatment

What are your treatment options for thrombophlebitis?

Treatment for agricultural thrombophlebitis includes rest and caring for the affected member. You may also need medical stockings. Socks for dilated veins can be used to prevent deep vein thrombosis.

Your doctor may also administer anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. This antibiotic can also be used for infections. Patients with thrombophlebitis often feel better after 7 to 10 days of treatment.

The Mayo Clinic says there are several treatments that doctors may recommend to treat this condition, namely:

• Blood thinners

If you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or deep vein thrombosis, injections of blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as low molecular weight heparin or fondaparinux (Arixtra), can prevent blood clots from enlarging. After that, you can take the oral medication prescribed by your doctor.

• Clot dissolving medication

Medications, such as alteplase (Activase), can dissolve blood clots. Also known as thrombolysis, this treatment is used for widespread DVT, including some cases of blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolus).

• Compression stockings

Prescription compression stockings can help prevent swelling and reduce the chance of complications of DVT.

• Filter

In some cases, especially if you are unable to take blood thinners, a filter may be inserted in the main vein of your stomach (vena cava) to prevent clots from escaping from the leg veins to the lungs.

• Vein stripping

The doctor can perform surgery to remove clots in the blood vessels that are causing pain. This includes removing long veins through a small incision.

Removing the veins will have no effect on circulation in your legs because the deeper veins keep the blood volume up.

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies

Lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with thrombophlebitis are:

• Quit smoking.

• Lose weight if you are overweight.

• Stand and walk or stretch your legs if you sit in a car or airplane for long periods of time.

• Use a warm washcloth to apply it to the affected area, several times a day.