DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is described as a condition in which a blood clot gets formed in a deep vein of the body. Blood clots arise as a result of thickening of blood along with its clumping together at one place. Most of the time, deep vein blood clots occur in the region of thighs or lower legs. However, these clots can also occur in other body parts.
Deep vein thrombosis can originate in the upper extremity, lower extremity, pelvic or abdominal regions. When deep vein thrombosis is below the knee, it's called distal. When above the knee, it's called proximal. If a deep vein blood clot breaks away, it can travel through the stream of blood. This loose blood clot is known as Embolus. It can block the flow of blood by travelling to arteries in lung regions. This state is known as PE or Pulmonary Embolism. PE is considered to be quite a serious condition because of its capacity to damage lungs as well as other body organs, and causing death.
There is a greater tendency for the blood clots present in the region of thighs to come off and result in pulmonary embolism as compared to blood clots found in other body parts, including the lower legs. Blood clots can also get formed in the superficial veins (veins that are present just below the skin surface) but these clots do not break off.
Deep vein thrombosis can originate in the upper extremity, lower extremity, pelvic or abdominal regions. When deep vein thrombosis is below the knee, it's called distal. When above the knee, it's called proximal. If a deep vein blood clot breaks away, it can travel through the stream of blood. This loose blood clot is known as Embolus. It can block the flow of blood by travelling to arteries in lung regions. This state is known as PE or Pulmonary Embolism. PE is considered to be quite a serious condition because of its capacity to damage lungs as well as other body organs, and causing death.
There is a greater tendency for the blood clots present in the region of thighs to come off and result in pulmonary embolism as compared to blood clots found in other body parts, including the lower legs. Blood clots can also get formed in the superficial veins (veins that are present just below the skin surface) but these clots do not break off.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
The primary function of the blood is to keep flowing throughout the body and in case this flow stops, it can potentially result in a clot. The blood flowing through the veins keeps forming tiny clots on a regular basis which are broken down by the body constantly. If this balance between the process of clot formation and its resolution gets disturbed, it can result in the occurrence of significant clots, a thrombus gets formed in the presence of any one or a combination of the below given situations:
- Immobility as a result of hospitalization, prolonged sitting or travelling, surgery, obesity, trauma to the region of the lower leg or pregnancy.
- Hypercoagulability (which is the process of blood coagulation that occurs faster than the normal pace) arising from smoking, cancer, genetic predisposition, certain medications or increase in the number of RBCs.
- Trauma caused to the vein as a result of complication due to an invasive vein procedure, fractured or bruised leg.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms
The symptoms and signs of deep vein thrombosis reflect the obstruction of blood flow to the heart, resulting in a blood back up in the region of leg. The most common symptoms include swelling, redness, pain, and warmth. It is not necessary that a person suffering from deep vein thrombosis will exhibit all these symptoms, all at once. There can even be a situation where none of the symptoms are present in the patient. The symptoms will show a tendency to mimic a leg infection or cellulitis.
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