blood vessel disease – Hello Doctor

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a “deep” vein. These are veins that travel deep in the body and are usually surrounded by muscle.
DVT is a serious condition which can lead to pulmonary embolism. This happens when a blood clot in a deep vein breaks off and travels to the lungs – which can be life-threatening. Blood clots in superficial veins (which are close to the skin) don’t travel to the lungs, so there’s no risk of pulmonary embolism.

Where Does DVT Happen?

Deep Vein Thrombosis usually occurs in the legs and pelvis, but it can happen in any deep vein.

What are the Symptoms?

The body breaks down small clots naturally, but if you have a large clot which can’t be broken down then you might have these symptoms:

Swelling, warmth in the swollen area
Pain or tenderness (you might only feel this when walking or standing)
Redness of the skin

How Do I Know If I Have DVT?

If you have any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned, then you could be at risk. Call your doctor or head to your nearest hospital. You might need to have an ultrasound to find the blood clot, or a procedure called intravenous venography. This is when “dye” is injected into the vein to make any blockages visible on an x-ray.

How is DVT Treated?

There are 4 steps to treating DVT, and your doctor will focus on:

Preventing the blood clot from getting any bigger
Stopping the blood clot from travelling to the lungs
Preventing post-thrombotic syndrome: this condition can cause pain, sores, and swelling in the affected leg
Prevent blood clots from returning

Medication, exercise, pressure stockings, and keeping the leg elevated are all used to help treat DVT.

Are you always rushing around and bumping into objects, or sometimes just plain clumsy? Coming up “black and blue” full of bruises can be painful and unsightly. Some bruises are quite harmless, while others can suggest a more serious problem! Have a look.

What is a bruise?

An area of skin discolouration, that does not become pale when you press it.
A common skin bruise due to physical injury. It happens when small blood vessels are damaged, causing blood to leak underneath the skin.
Also known as a “contusion”
A bruise is initially reddish in colour, then becomes blue-purple over a few hours, and finally yellow-brown after a number of days
The skin is usually not broken
Bruises are often tender or painful and associated with swelling

The three types of bruises

Subcutaneous: beneath the skin
Intramuscular: inside the muscle
Periosteal: bruising in a bone

What is purpura?

Purple-coloured spots and patches that occur on the skin and mucous membranes
They occur when small blood vessels leak blood under the skin
They are caused by internal bleeding, not caused by physical injury
Petechiae are purpura spots that are smaller than 3mm in diameter
Ecchymoses are purpura spots that are larger than 1cm in diameter

What are some of the causes of purpura?

Platelets and clotting factors found in our blood helps the blood to clot when you get an injury. The following conditions can lead to these purple-coloured spots (purpura):

a) Normal platelet counts (non-thrombocytopaenic purpura)

Congenital conditions such as CMV or rubella virus (present at birth)
Scurvy (due to severe Vitamin C deficiency)
Weak blood vessels
Inflammation in blood vessels (i.e. Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
Certain medication that affects platelet functioning (i.e. steroids)
Blood clotting disorders

b) Low platelet counts (thrombocytopaenia purpura)

Infection in the blood stream (i.e. meningococcal meningitis)
Immune disorders (ITP – the cause of which is unknown)
Medication that decreases the platelet count
Infants of mothers who have ITP

When should you see a doctor about bruising?

When bruising occurs easily, or without an obvious reason (i.e. without trauma)
If there is swelling and a lot of pain (especially if the person is taking blood-thinner medication)
If you bruise easily, and your gums and/or nose also bleed frequently
When a bruise doesn’t improve in 2 weeks, or doesn’t go away after 4 weeks
If a person cannot remember the injury or had a concussion
When the bruise is under a fingernail, or toenail
If there is a family history of bleeding/clotting disorders

What can you do to prevent unnecessary bruising?

Remove clutter from common walkway paths in your home and office
Use a night-light when getting up at night to use the bathroom
Wear protective clothing when playing contact sport
Wear long-sleeve shirts and trousers to provide extra protection
Monitor the dose of blood-thinner medication, such as warfarin, by having regular blood tests
Make sure rugs and carpets are secure to prevent unnecessary trips or falls
Ensure that electrical cables and telephone cords are out of harm’s way

What can be done to treat a bruise?

Immediate treatment , whilst the bruise is still reddish, is likely to be the most effective
Apply an ice-pack (wrapped in a towel) for 30 minutes , as soon as possible (this reduces swelling and facilitates healing)
If a limb has been injured, elevate your arm or leg above the level of the heart
Rest the bruised area
Consider paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory medication
In some cases, after 48 hours, a warm cloth can be applied for 10 minutes 3x/day

Tag: blood vessel disease

What exactly is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?