Thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (symptoms, photos and treatment will be given later) is an insidious disease in which the patient's quality of life and life itself depend on timely diagnosis and adequate therapy.
Types of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities
Thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the lower extremities, the symptoms and treatment of which for the successful fight against the disease is desirable to determine at the initial stages of development, is called the inflammatory process localized in the walls of the veins. The infection spreads with the flow of blood and lymph. This leads to the formation of blood clots in the venous lumen. The disease, as a rule, develops in the vessels of the legs - this is its most common form - thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities (you can familiarize yourself with the symptoms, treatment, and photos of the areas affected by the disease in this material). Sometimes an inflammatory process occurs in the upper limbs, cervical and thoracic regions.
Depending on the location of the diseased veins, deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities is distinguished (the symptoms and treatment of such a pathology are called by the doctors “phlebothrombosis”) and thrombophlebitis of the superficial vessels. In some cases, the walls of the vessels become inflamed, but the thrombus does not form. This condition of the patient in medical practice is called phlebitis. There are also acute and chronic thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. Symptoms, photos and treatment are given in the relevant sections of the article, depending on the type of disease.
Causes of the disease
There are quite a few reasons that cause thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. Symptoms and treatment may vary depending on the factor that triggered the development of the disease. So, if the cause, for example, is varicose veins, then the clinical picture is very pronounced (inflammation of the vessel walls is a serious complication of varicose veins), and treatment involves the use of anti-inflammatory therapy.
Common causes of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, the treatment of which must be started as early as possible, are:
- Injuries to the venous wall, arising, for example, during catheterization of a vein. In this case, post-injection thrombophlebitis develops.
- Genetic predisposition or acquired during the course of life tendency to form blood clots.
- Venous congestion, provoked by a slowdown in blood flow through the vessels. The condition may be caused by varicose veins.
- Local or general inflammatory process, the use of certain drugs or certain diseases (cardiovascular, for example).
The danger of thrombophlebitis
A feature of the disease is the fact that the symptoms of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities appear late, and treatment begins late. Most patients in the initial stages are not even aware of the serious danger they face. With a high rise in the thrombus, there is a likelihood of it breaking off, after which it can freely move along the vascular system. The most dangerous complication is the ingress of a blood clot into the vessels of the lungs, which leads to the closure of the respiratory artery. This can cause sudden death. A severed thrombus can block the main veins and cause venous insufficiency in the chronic course. Treatment in this case is significantly complicated.
Symptoms of Vascular Disease
The first signs that indicate the development of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (treatment methods, by the way, are most effective at this stage), people usually do not pay attention to. Minor edema, pain that is localized in the calves, a feeling of heaviness and a slight burning sensation in the legs, redness or tightening of the skin appear. The patient usually consults a doctor when the disease is already progressing. In this case, swelling increases, the skin in the area of the formation of a blood clot becomes cyanotic.
In the absence of treatment for thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, the condition reaches the point that part of the leg may turn black. Typically, a blood clot is located in the thigh, ankle, or lower leg area. For the acute course of the disease, a local temperature increase is also characteristic. All symptoms of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities described above may appear gradually, increasing over several days. We will consider the treatment and photos of the affected areas below.
Patients at risk
Doctors classify certain categories of people at risk. They have the highest probability of developing thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities. Symptoms and treatment of the disease, at least in general terms, should be known to them in time to determine the dangerous condition and seek medical help.
So, the risk group includes:
- patients suffering from varicose veins;
- people who often travel by plane, while driving a car, are in a sitting position for a long time;
- those who have recently undergone surgery and / or are forced to strictly observe bed rest for a long time;
- patients with increased blood coagulation, antiphospholipid syndrome;
- pregnant women - the risk of developing the disease increases several times during childbirth;
- elderly people who move a little;
- overweight people.
In addition, it is possible to identify risk factors for the development of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (treatment and photos will be discussed later), which include:
- varicose veins;
- long motionless position;
- long bed rest;
- vein catheterization;
- bearing a child and childbirth;
- hormone therapy;
- excess weight;
- malignant neoplasms;
- decreased immune defense of the body;
- various inflammatory processes;
- infectious diseases;
- a stroke;
- abortion and any gynecological surgery;
- dehydration, including diuretics, including;
- blood composition disorders.
In the presence of at least one or (moreover) several risk factors, you must make an appointment with a phlebologist to exclude the development of the disease.
Acute thrombophlebitis
Acute thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, the treatment of which should be immediate, is accompanied by severe pain and marked swelling in the affected area. There is a general increase in temperature, against which the leg remains cold, a change in the shade of the skin along the direction of blood flow through the affected vein. The pain seems to burst from the inside, the patient usually tries to keep the limb in an elevated state in order to reduce the pain syndrome. If there is a fever, sharp pain along the vein and chest, coughing attacks, fever, change in the color of the skin of the limbs, it is urgent to call an ambulance team.
The patient should be put to bed before the arrival of doctors. You should not take any actions on your own - in this case, treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities with folk remedies can provoke the separation of the thrombus and its entry into other internal organs. The latter is accompanied by a high risk to the life of the patient. The acute form of the disease quickly proceeds to complications. Ischemic or gangrenous thrombophlebitis, blue or white phlegmasia may develop. These conditions are accompanied by increased pain, a very rapidly growing edema. First, the skin turns pale, and then acquires a purple hue. The faster the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities is started in this case, the more likely it is to avoid serious consequences for the health and life of the patient.
Acute treatment of the disease
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (we examined the photos and symptoms of the disease in acute form above) is selected depending on the state of the vessels, the location of the thrombus and the nature of the pathology. Usually conservative methods are used, including general and local treatment. If the diagnosis sounds like “thrombophlebitis of the forearm” or “thrombophlebitis of the lower leg”, the patient can be treated without the patient constantly staying within the walls of a medical institution, in other cases he is sent to a hospital. The diseased leg is fixed in elevated condition, bed rest is prescribed .
Local therapy in the treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities is to prescribe the following procedures and drugs to the patient:
- Overlay on the affected area of the ointment: heparin, butadine, Vishnevsky.
- Cold treatment, compresses (half-alcohol) and obligatory elastic bandaging of the limb.
- Drugs that stimulate the improvement of blood microcirculation, for oral administration: Theonicon, Flexital, Trental.
- Venoruton, Eskusan, Troxevasin or Detralex are used to correct blood flow.
- Painkillers that reduce the inflammatory process and lower the temperature: “Butadion”, “Analgin”, “Reopyrin”.
- Substances that slow down the course of physiological and physico-chemical processes (inhibitors), for example, Curantil, Indomethacin, Aspirin.
- To eliminate the increased sensitivity of the body, "Diphenhydramine", "Suprastin" are prescribed.
When the inflammatory process in the vessels is stopped, it is recommended that the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities with diametrical currents, a solux lamp, and UHF. This is necessary for the resorption of the thrombus. Quite effective iontophoresis with potassium iodide, heparin, chymotrypsin, trypsin. Bandage the affected limb elastically for another eight weeks after the end of the course of therapy. During the same period, phlebodynamic medications are recommended.
The operation is indicated in the following emergency cases:
- thrombus fusion with pus;
- acute thrombophlebitis in the middle or upper thigh;
- threat of blocking the pulmonary artery.
Warming the venous wall just above the thrombus or laser obliteration is also used in the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (photo). Symptoms of ascending thrombophlebitis are similar to signs of other forms of the disease, so the need for such therapy is determined only by the doctor. But the technique is currently unique.
Postinjection Thrombophlebitis
In some cases, the disease can be triggered by a violation of the injection technique, surgical intervention. This complication is called post-injection thrombophlebitis. The first manifestation is a painful sensation in the area of the affected vessel, a gradual increase in body temperature and a deterioration in the general condition of the patient. On the first day of the progression of the disease, edema develops, which greatly spreads to the entire limb.
Treatment includes conservative therapy: taking anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Nimesulide and Ibuprofen, using antibiotics, anticoagulants, and dressings using silver. If the patient's condition is neglected or complicated by a bacterial infection, complex therapy is required. It is necessary to increase blood flow, lower blood viscosity, stabilize the tone of venous muscles, eliminate swelling and cramping, stop the inflammatory process.
Chronic thrombophlebitis
The treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (in chronic form) is complicated by the absence of a pronounced clinical picture. Pain in this form of the disease is only periodic in nature, it is disturbing after exertion on the legs, and therefore a person is in no hurry to consult a doctor. Moreover, in some cases, deep thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities can be treated at home. The patient needs to use special stockings or bandages, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapy, ointments for local use, treatment in mud baths at balneological resorts are indicated. In addition, regular monitoring by a phlebologist is required.
Superficial thrombophlebitis
A common form of the disease is varicose thrombophlebitis, which affects superficial veins. It appears as a complication of varicose veins. The pathological condition is accompanied by severe pain during any load on the affected leg and touching the affected area, redness and pronounced edema. The disease can be accompanied by weakness, fever, symptoms resemble a cold.
If varicose veins caused thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, treatment with folk remedies is unacceptable. Be sure to sign up to a phlebologist. The specialist will prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy, including hormonal ointments, compresses, suppositories with butadione or diclofenac. Be sure to use special knitted underwear, bandages. To reduce puffiness, Antistax or Detralex and other drugs are prescribed.
Disease during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman suffers from varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. This is caused by an increase in internal pressure, a physiological change in the composition of the blood. Most of the complications arise, as a rule, after childbirth, which create a huge burden on the work of the heart and blood vessels, which leads to disruption of the physiologically natural blood flow and the formation of blood clots. Typically, signs of varicose veins are observed in the second trimester, when a woman begins to gain weight. Edema and spider veins appear, veins grow, discomfort occurs. Sometimes women complain of cramps.
If you notice at least one of these alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor who will diagnose and give recommendations on how to prevent the development of the disease and avoid complex therapy. In the first months of pregnancy, you need to follow the rules of prevention in order to avoid the occurrence of a dangerous condition:
- Wear special underwear, which should be selected by a phlebologist.
- Engage in physical therapy, which also helps to supply the fetus with enough oxygen.
- Take a walk in the fresh air daily (at least for 30 minutes).
- Include more non-animal foods in your diet. Pineapples, watermelons, melons are especially useful.
- Limit drinking, as during gestation the fluid is retained in the body.
Thrombophlebitis is often accompanied by severe pain during childbearing, but you need to remember that the use of drugs during this period should be limited. A safe way to rid the patient of discomfort is venocentesis - a puncture of the affected area to remove a blood clot. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Traditional medicine for treatment
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities at home will alleviate the patient's condition and allow you to relieve pain. However, you cannot use exclusively folk methods - you need to consult a doctor and undergo therapy using traditional medicine methods. Among folk remedies for the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities at home, you can list:
- Use of bee products. Bee subpestilence must be collected and filled with vodka, insisted for two weeks, and then filtered through a sieve and used as a compress. A compress is applied to the affected area for one and a half to two hours. Another way: apply honey on a linen napkin and apply to the affected area. You can mix honey with chopped Kalanchoe, apply on a sheet of cabbage.
- Apple vinegar. It is used for grinding, previously diluted with water. Only homemade vinegar is suitable.
- Goose fat. It is used both in pure form and as an ingredient for homemade ointments. You can mix fat with various herbs, such as St. John's wort or calendula.
- Herbal infusions. Inside, it is recommended to use nettle infusion, which has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, heals the whole body as a whole. You can also brew inflorescences of a young chestnut, insist on alcohol, and tea from dried clover helps in the treatment.
It is important that the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities at home should first be agreed with the phlebologist.
Gymnastics with thrombophlebitis
Doctors are still debating whether gymnastics is effective for thrombophlebitis. Some are of the opinion that complete peace is needed, while others are supporters of feasible activity. ( ), , , , . .
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The treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities (photos of people who have encountered this ailment are presented in the article) is not only taking appropriate medications and physiotherapeutic procedures. It is necessary to adhere to all the recommendations that a phlebologist will give. An active lifestyle and engaging in sports are shown, you need to walk more, walk in the fresh air, you can go swimming or rollerblading or cycling. It is possible to maintain vessels with herbal tinctures, it is recommended to use St. John's wort tincture or cranberry juice more often. It is necessary to avoid the tension that occurs if a person sits or stands for a long time. The bath and dehydration are contraindicated in thrombophlebitis. Patient's shoes should be comfortable, you need to choose the optimal height of the heel, wear orthopedic insoles. It’s better to rest while lying, slightly raising your legs. To put on special underwear is also necessary in a prone position, on legs raised up.