Phlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

What is phlebitis?

Symptoms of phlebitis

Causes of phlebitis

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis

Causes and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis

References

What is phlebitis?

Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. It usually occurs in superficial veins, most commonly in the legs. Phlebitis increases the probability that a blood clot can form in the vein (a thrombosis). A small blood clot in a superficial vein (usually near the surface of the skin) is known as a thrombophlebitis.

Symptoms of phlebitis

• Pain.
• Redness or inflammation.
• Swelling (edema), especially of the extremities (ankle and foot).
• Cord-like veins that you can feel or see.

Causes of phlebitis

• Physical trauma, injury to the vein wall.
• Poor blood circulation.
• Diseases causing excessive blood clotting or blood coagulation.
• Prolonged immobility, sitting for long periods, lack of movement, lack of exercise.
• Inflammation caused by diet, bacterial infection, chemical toxins, pharmaceuticals (including Celebrex, Olanzepine, antidepressants), and alcohol abuse.

What is deep vein thrombosis??

Sometimes a blood clot forms in a deeper, bigger vein. It most commonly occurs in the legs. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel, that obstructs the flow of blood.

An embolism is the movement of one of these blood clots in the blood vessels. It is a potentially fatal condition if a blood clot moves to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), heart or brain and causes a blockage (thrombosis).

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?

About half of all cases have no symptoms.

• Pain, swelling or tenderness of the vein (oedema) or of the general area.
• Redness and warmth creating a hot, inflamed painful area.
• Pain or burning along the length of the vein. The vein can feel hard and cord-like.
• Distention, engorgement or discoloration of surface (superficial) veins.

Causes and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis?

• Trauma (injury causing a blood clot), including surgery, and cancer.
• Old age. About 1% of elderly people experience an episode of DVT each year, but it is very uncommon in children.
• Immobilization, lack of movement, being cramped for hours at a time with limited movement. Common with bed rest, orthopaedic casts, and sitting on long flights. Susceptible people face an increased risk when flying - try to get up and move around every half an hour if possible, wear loose clothing, and drink plenty of water.
• Inflammation (general inflammation around the body). Usually a result of a diet based on sugars, wheat, polyunsaturated / Omega-6 oils, and processed food.
• Diseases causing excessive blood coagulation.
• White skinned people have a higher risk than Asian people. (1)
• Pharmaceutical drugs including oral contraceptives.
• Infection.
• Obesity.
• Pregnancy and the postnatal period.
• Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) using synthetic proprietary hormones rather than bio-identical hormones.

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis

• Movement. Do not sit or lie for long periods. Long periods of inactivity increase the risk of many ailments, not just phlebitis or DVT. Try to move every few minutes during the day while you are awake. If you have to sit to work, drive or travel, stand up every half hour to walk around and stretch for a couple of minutes.
• Exercise. Any movement of the body and limbs is good, exercise is better. Regular aerobic and stretching exercises will prevent and heal numerous ailments associated with poor circulation.
• Hydration. Drink enough water.
• Natural blood thinners. Several foods and traditional natural remedies help thin the blood, reduce blood pressure, and assist healthy blood circulation.
• Lemon juice and baking soda.
• Castor oil - improves blood circulation, especially in small vessels just under the skin. Especially useful for phlebitis.
• See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.

Warning. If suffering from phlebitis or thrombosis do NOT massage the affected area. There is a danger that massage will shift the blood clot to the lungs, heart or brain.

References

1. Zakai NA, McClure LA. Racial differences in venous thromboembolism. 2011 J Thromb Haemost 9 (10): 1877-82. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2011.04443.x. PMID 21797965.