Deep Vein Thrombosis: Lifestyle Remedies and Medical Treatments

When blood clots start to form within the veins of the lower extremities, they can break free. If they enter the bloodstream, they can cause many dangerous complications, including a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). 

Doctors refer to these types of clots as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis clots can form in any part of the body but mainly develop in the deep veins found in the legs, thighs, and pelvis.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when pressure damages the valves in the veins of the legs. These valves help keep your blood flowing in the right direction: from your feet and legs to your heart. When the valves become damaged, the blood within the veins can begin to pool. The pooling blood clumps together, forming a clot or deep vein thrombosis.

DVT Is a Serious Medical Condition

DVT should be treated as a severe medical condition. If a blood clot in the leg should break free, it could move through your bloodstream, potentially getting stuck in a blood vessel of your lung and blocking the flow of blood to the lung. Over 100,000 people are killed by pulmonary embolisms each year.

Early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle modifications are crucial to preventing DVT from turning into a life-threatening medical condition.

Some symptoms of DVT include:

• Throbbing or cramping leg pain
• "Heavy" legs
• Leg swelling
• Changes in the feel and appearance of the skin, such as     blue, purple, or red discoloration

These Are the Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatments Doctors Recommend

Deep vein thrombosis treatments aim to prevent the blood clot from becoming larger, to stop the blood clot from breaking loose and traveling through the bloodstream, and to reduce the chances of blood clots forming in the future.

Deep vein thrombosis treatments include:

• Drugs: Anticoagulant medicines can help thin the blood, inhibiting the formation of blood clots in the leg and other parts of the body.
• Filters: Medical devices implanted inside the Inferior vena cava or other veins can catch loose blood clots before reaching the heart or lungs.
• Compression stockings: Specially designed stockings create gentle pressure that prevents the leg’s blood from clotting or pooling. Your doctor will recommend which type is right for you.

To ease the pain and swelling in your leg caused by deep vein thrombosis, you can elevate the affected leg, resting your foot higher than your thigh. Walking also helps alleviate the symptoms of DVT, improving the blood flow through your legs. Over-the-counter medications can help relieve the pain. 

Effective Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis

If you have DVT, you can adopt many lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of your DVT or prevent a recurrence. These include:

• Not smoking
• Taking steps to lower your blood pressure
• Watching your weight
• Limiting the amount of time you spend sitting
• Exercising daily, mainly walking, swimming, or other activities that promote good blood circulation
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes for extended periods
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Consuming foods that act as natural blood thinners to reduce the risk of developing blood clots, such as vitamin E, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon

East Bay Area DVT Vein Doctors

In addition to the pain and discomfort, a blood clot in the leg caused by DVT can result in a severe, even life-threatening, pulmonary embolism if left untreated. At the BASS Vein Center, our team of highly trained and experienced vein doctors is here to treat your DVT before it becomes a severe problem. If you live in the East Bay Area and have pain or swelling in your leg, schedule an appointment with the BASS Vein Center at(925) 281-5912 today.