Vascular diseases are complex and often dangerous pathologies. One of the most insidious ailments is deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Treatment for such a disease should begin as early as possible. After all, the disease is so insidious that it can become not only the cause of disability, but also take the patient’s life.
Disease characteristic
The basis of this pathology is the appearance in the deep veins of a blood clot, which is called a blood clot. Sometimes an acute ailment accompanies an inflammatory process in the wall of a venous vessel. In medicine, the latter was called phlebitis. In this case, the patient is diagnosed with thrombophlebitis.
When a blood clot forms, the patient is signaled by the development of the disease "deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities" symptoms. Photo clearly demonstrates them. Around the thrombus, inflammation begins to develop. A blood clot attaches to the venous wall. As a result, it becomes inflamed and damaged. This is a very dangerous disease - deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Treatment that is not started on time leads to the progression of the disease and quite serious consequences.
Danger of pathology
The seriousness of the disease lies in the fact that a piece of a blood clot is able to come off. With blood flow, it can spread through the vein system, thereby disrupting blood flow. For a patient diagnosed with such a serious illness, any movement can be dangerous. Often, muscle contraction affects the state of the thrombus, and sometimes leads to fragmentation of the clot. In this case, its particles are very easily distributed throughout the body.
Sometimes blood clots form in the superficial subcutaneous vessels. But, of course, thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower extremities is most dangerous. Treatment, timely and adequate, is the only way to combat pathology.
This pathology can even lead to aortic aneurysm. It is known that blood from the lower extremities moves to the heart. Then into the lungs, saturating them with oxygen, and again returns to the peripheral organs. It is dangerous if pieces of blood clots, emboli, move with it. Their entry into the pulmonary artery leads to impaired blood flow and blockage. As a result, the patient develops respiratory, heart failure. This complication in medicine is called pulmonary embolism (pulmonary embolism).
Causes of the disease
There are three main sources that provoke deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. The reasons for this in medicine are called the "Virohova Triad":
- Increased blood coagulation. Such a pathology is observed with impaired metabolism, cancer, liver ailments.
- The changed structure of the venous walls. As a result of surgical operations, injections, injuries, such a picture can be observed. Sometimes the pathology is based on an infectious process or an immunoallergic one.
- Slow blood flow leading to stagnation in the veins. This feature is observed with compression of blood vessels, varicose veins.
Thrombosis can occur in the elderly and in young people. Its development is facilitated by a long sitting or standing position. Therefore, at risk are people whose work is associated with long flights, sitting in a car or at a computer.
The following factors can provoke pathology:
- pregnancy, childbirth (women at risk of Caesarean section are especially at risk)
- long trips in transport and air travel;
- complex fractures, abdominal surgery, surgery on the joints;
- smoking;
- overweight;
- lack of fluid in the body, provoking blood viscosity ;
- the use of drugs that increase blood coagulation;
- myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
How does the disease develop?
Many people have to sit or stand motionless for a long time. However, they do not all develop the disease of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. The medical history is as follows.
Forced immobilization of the muscles leads to stagnation of blood. The patient develops a blood clot. Particularly increased risk in people with a tendency to rapid blood coagulation.
In most cases, small blood clots resolve on their own. This is facilitated by the connection of internal backup regulatory mechanisms. But, unfortunately, there are cases when blood clots do not resolve, but rise higher through the veins.
Six months later, the patency of venous trunks in many patients is restored. But in some patients (45%), the pathology turns into a chronic form of venous insufficiency. This is a rather complicated ailment. Deep veins become like hard tubes in which the valve apparatus is broken. The function of the outflow of blood is impaired. Inadequate nutrition of tissues leads to the formation of ulcers on the legs.
Varieties of pathology
Phlebologists use several classifications that give an idea of ​​the pathology of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Symptoms of each form have their own distinctive features.
Pathology varies by:
- The primary form is phlebothrombosis. A feature of this pathology is the weak attachment of a formed blood clot to the wall in the lumen of the vessel. There is a high probability of a sudden separation. This form often leads to quite dangerous complications, often fatal.
- The secondary form is thrombophlebitis. At the origins of this pathology is inflammation of the internal venous membrane. The thrombus is securely fixed. The probability of a sudden separation is extremely low.
A common classification that takes into account the causes of the disease. The following types are distinguished:
- Stagnant. Pathology is provoked by squeezing veins from the outside. As a result of which there are obstacles to the free flow of blood.
- Inflammatory. The cause of the disease are injuries, infectious diseases, injections, allergic reactions of the body.
- Hemostatic. The main factor in this pathology is a violation of coagulation properties. This type of ailment is observed in patients with liver diseases, impaired metabolism, and oncology.
A fairly important classification characterizes the relationship between a blood clot and a venous wall:
- Occlusive thrombosis. The lumen of the vessel closes completely. No blood flow. Over time, this thrombus grows to the venous wall.
- Parietal. The clot is partially spliced ​​with the wall. There is a gleam through which blood flow occurs.
- Floating This pathology is characterized by a large thrombus. In length, it can reach 20 cm. A clot fluctuates with the movement of blood. The danger is that a blood clot is able to penetrate into a small vessel, provoking the occlusion of the latter.
- Mixed. This is a pathology in which a clot is able to go into an upward segment or descend into a descending segment.
Symptoms of pathology
Redness of the skin and pain is rarely accompanied by deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Symptoms in pathology are expressed, as a rule, minimally. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to determine the ailment. And in almost half of people, pathology is generally asymptomatic. Often, such patients experience chest pain. Unfortunately, this is a sign of a developing formidable complication - pulmonary embolism.
Consider the clinical, characteristic disease of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities symptoms. The photo located in the article clearly demonstrates the main features. Patients may experience the following symptoms:
- redness;
- swelling of the extremities;
- heaviness in the legs;
- night cramps;
- sensation of heat in the affected area;
- Hypersensitivity or painful discomfort, localized in the lower leg, thigh while standing, walking, and sometimes touching.
Acute thrombosis
The following factors and ailments can provoke pathology:
- heart valve disease;
- endocarditis;
- atherosclerosis;
- aneurysm;
- diphtheria;
- typhoid fever;
- postoperative period.
Symptoms of acute thrombosis are extremely pronounced. The disease begins:
- painful sharp discomfort in the injured limb;
- cooling of the legs is observed;
- temperature increase (indicators can reach 39-40 C);
- sensitivity decreases significantly (sometimes complete numbness is possible);
- integuments are extremely pale, acquire a marble shade;
- claw-shaped finger position;
- it is impossible to feel the pulse in the peripheral parts;
- below the thrombosed artery, mobility of the joint is absent;
- palpation is painful.
An urgent need to hospitalize a patient who is suspected of acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Treatment should be given to such a patient as soon as possible.
With this pathology, it is forbidden to rub the diseased leg, warm it or give the limb an elevated position. During transportation of such a person, the inflamed limb must be positioned in such a way as to ensure a state of maximum rest.
It is important to understand that with timely hospitalization, a person can avoid amputation as a result of gangrene. In addition, it is necessary to immediately begin conservative treatment. Drugs prescribed by your doctor will help restore the disturbed circulation process.
Diagnosis of ailment
Before prescribing the treatment necessary for the disease of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, the symptoms must be correctly diagnosed.
During the examination of a doctor, the presence of signs characteristic of this pathology is recorded:
- Symptom Pratt. The patient has protruding saphenous veins, surface gloss.
- Symptom of Lovenberg. Painful discomfort in the limb affected by the disease is noted when trying to pump air into the cuff wrapped around the lower leg of a pressure measuring device. Unpleasant symptoms occur even at 80 mm Hg.
- Symptom Payra. When pressure is applied to the inner region of the ankle, radiating pain in the calf muscle appears.
Medical examination, palpation of the limbs allow us to evaluate only the external manifestations of the ailment. For a more accurate diagnosis, the following studies will be needed:
- INR blood. The analysis determines blood coagulation.
- Ultrasonic duplex scanning. The study gives an idea of ​​the lumen of the vein, the degree of narrowing. The analysis determines the presence of a floating thrombus.
- Phlebography. The examination involves the introduction of a contrast medium into a vein, after which an x-ray is taken. Such a study clarifies the diagnosis if a movable blood clot was suspected.
- MR phlebology. The analysis is based on the transmission of a signal from a blood moving through veins. If there is a blood clot from the affected segment, no sound is heard.
Drug treatment
A patient who is diagnosed with a pathology needs to start the fight against the disease as soon as possible. In the absence of adequate therapy for 3 months, half of the patients develop pulmonary embolism.
Often, the doctor selects conservative therapy to combat the disease of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Surgical treatment is required in individual cases. As a rule, the patient needs to be in a hospital. In case of circulatory disorders below the popliteal veins, in some cases outpatient treatment is permitted.
The patient is recommended a bed rest of 3-5 days. With complications, this period is delayed up to ten days. The damaged limb is in an elevated state.
A medication with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities is necessarily prescribed. The following drugs are recommended:
- Anticoagulant drugs, antiplatelet agents: “Heparin”, “Clexane”, “Clopidogrel”, “Ticlopidine”, “Fraxiparin”.
- Vascular, rheological agents: Reobosilakt, Pentoksifilin, Trental, Tivortin.
- Medicines of the prostaglandin series: "Vazaprostan", "Ilomedin", "Alprostan".
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Dicloberl, Melbek, Olfen.
- Glucocorticoids (small doses): Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone.
Patients are recommended to use elastic compression. It significantly improves blood flow. It is possible to use elastic bandages. Effective is the use of compression hosiery. Such a therapeutic effect should not be ignored. A positive result elastic compression provides. The necessary methods of such therapy should be consulted with a specialist.
Methods of treating pathology
An effective procedure is thrombolysis. Using a special catheter, a specific substance is introduced into the vessel that can dissolve a blood clot. Such an event is carried out only by a vascular surgeon. The procedure is associated with a risk of bleeding. The advantage of thrombolysis is the ability to dissolve large clots.
In severe cases, conservative methods are not able to heal the patient. In this case, there is a need for surgical intervention. An operation may be necessary to remove thrombotic masses in the large veins of the lower extremities - thrombectomy. In case of obstruction existing for a long time, the need for shunting is considered. Or less traumatic intervention - stenting in the affected segment.
Some patients are advised to install a special metal cava filter inside the vena cava. This is especially true if the patient has contraindications to drugs aimed at diluting the blood, or if they are ineffective. Such a device is able to protect a person from migrating particles of a blood clot. The action of the cava filter resembles a trap mechanism. Such a device is installed for a certain period of 3-4 weeks. Sometimes - constantly. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
New, safer methods are being developed to combat such an ailment as deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Laser treatment is one of them. Under the influence of the device, it is possible to achieve a persistent hypocoagulation effect. This allows you to protect the patient from an unpleasant complication - pulmonary embolism - and to effectively defeat deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Treatment in Moscow, so modern and safe, is practiced by many clinics.
Nutrition recommendations
Patients need to maintain a proper diet to treat deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. The diet is based on the use of a large number of vegetables, fruits. These foods are rich in fiber, which helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
It is recommended to exclude dishes that promote fluid retention in the body and increase the volume of circulating blood. This is spicy, salty food.
To prevent clot formation and blood thinning, foods fortified with vitamin E and essential fatty acids should be used. They are: fish oil, seafood, linseed oil. The necessary diet for the patient will be advised by the attending physician.
Folk remedies
The healers have created many recipes to help heal deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Treatment with folk remedies includes the use of a variety of tinctures, decoctions. Some remedies are used for compresses. Others are for oral use.
- White acacia. To prepare the tincture you will need: a tablespoon of flowers pour alcohol - 100 ml. The raw material is infused in a closed container in a warm, dark place. After 10 days, the product for external use is ready. It is used for rubbing and compresses.
- Patients who are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities can be treated with folk remedies using tinctures for internal use. You will need a thoroughly washed and finely ground root of the white cinquefoil . 50 grams of raw materials will require 0.5 liters of vodka. The components are mixed (preferably in a jar). The container is closed with a lid and left in a dark place for 3 weeks. Tincture should be taken a teaspoon three times a day.
- Effective healing baths. They eliminate pain, relieve swelling. A positive result is observed from the use of a decoction of the tanning root. For cooking, you need a kilogram of raw materials. It is poured with 5 liters of water and boiled for an hour. After filtering the broth, legs soar in it.
- When the disease has a deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, treatment with propolis has a beneficial effect. This product helps to reduce blood coagulation and removes "bad" cholesterol from the body. It is recommended to use propolis between meals of 5 g. This tool can be used as an excellent prevention of thrombosis.
- Honey is very useful in the treatment of pathology. Mix a glass of product with the same amount of onion juice. In a warm place, mixed ingredients should be infused for three days. After that, the composition is transferred to a cold place and kept for another week. Such a tool should be taken before meals for 1 tbsp. l thrice a day.
When choosing a suitable product, do not forget that before use it is necessary to coordinate this with your doctor. Acute thrombosis of the deep veins of the lower extremities needs special attention. Treatment with folk remedies described above, you can start only if the doctor fully supports your chosen remedy. Do not try your luck and self-medicate.
Patient opinions
What is the most effective treatment for lower limb deep vein thrombosis? Reviews indicate that a favorable result is brought by the method of combating pathology that the doctor will prescribe.
At the same time, patients notice that it is extremely important to recognize the first signs of the disease in time. And you must not ignore the developing pathology. Only in this case can we count on a favorable prognosis.
Those patients who required surgical intervention, in most cases, are satisfied with the operation. Such patients report that their legs finally stopped bothering them.
Conclusion
Thrombosis is a very unpredictable and dangerous pathology. Self-treatment, the choice of drugs or the use of folk remedies, without consulting a doctor - methods are completely unacceptable. Only professional therapy is able to cope with the disease after a thorough examination.