If the doctor has diagnosed thrombophlebitis, you should not hesitate with treatment. The sooner you can begin to fight the disease, the better the prospects for the patient will be. Modern medicine knows which approaches and medicines, measures and procedures can restore health in this unpleasant disease. In a severe case, an operation may be prescribed. In a word, there are many options, so the most important thing is not to give up, as soon as the diagnosis is formulated, but to take control of the situation and begin the recovery program.
Basic aspects
A phlebologist can indicate the need for treatment of thrombophlebitis by conducting a set of diagnostic measures. It is the doctor who chooses which treatment program in a particular case will show the best results. The disease is quite serious, so do not indulge in self-medication. The wrong approach can cause complications. The most difficult scenario is pulmonary thromboembolism. This condition develops in just a few minutes, with a high degree of probability provokes a fatal outcome.
The responsibility for the treatment of thrombophlebitis lies with the phlebologist. This is a highly specialized vein surgeon. It is he who chooses what to do if a disease of the veins of the lower extremities is established. There are three common approaches in total:
- conservative (medication);
- endoscopic;
- radical surgical.
Determine which option is suitable in a particular case, based on the results of studies and analyzes, the patient’s condition, individual characteristics, indications and contraindications, the presence of concomitant health disorders.
Sparing option
The optimal treatment scenario for thrombophlebitis is conservative methods. If the disease proceeds in an acute form, outpatient monitoring of the patient is possible. The doctor’s task is to prevent thromboembolism, stop the activity of foci of inflammation and restore health to the walls of the veins, strengthening their tissues. Often, outpatient conservative treatment is supplemented with folk recipes. A reasonable approach would be to coordinate such treatment methods with your doctor so that alternative medicine does not interfere with the main course.
Conservative treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities involves:
- the use of special clothing or bandages for dragging limbs;
- bed rest at the time of exacerbation;
- physiotherapy;
- medicines.
Lie down in such a way that the limbs are slightly higher than the main body. Among the methods of physiotherapy, they have proven themselves well:
- UHF;
- electric treatment;
- magnetic therapy;
- electrophoresis using blood thinning compounds.
Drugs to help patients
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities involves the use of a fairly wide list of medications. In most cases, the patient is prescribed non-hormonal drugs to stop inflammatory processes. Most Popular:
You can use them locally or systemically. Quite often, doctors recommend stopping at injections, as this allows you to deliver the product directly to the affected area with minimal negative impact on other organs and tissues. To improve the result of treatment, rectal suppositories in combination with injections and ointments can be prescribed.
For symptoms of thrombophlebitis, treatment usually involves the use of rutin derivatives. Among the popular drugs worth noting:
- "Rutozid."
- Troxevasin.
- "Troxerutin."
Such medicines can increase the resistance of the vascular wall, strengthen it. The inflammatory processes are inhibited.
Improving the patient's condition can be achieved by taking enzymes. Among the most widespread in modern medical practice, it is worth mentioning:
Under the influence of the active components of the drug, blood clots gradually dissolve, swelling disappears.
For symptoms of thrombophlebitis, treatment may include the use of agents to lower blood viscosity. Well proven "Reopoliglyukin", "Trental." These medicines have a pronounced effect only if they are taken regularly, strictly in accordance with the course recommended by the doctor. At the reception, the doctor will explain how to use the drugs, what rules to follow, what side effects to prepare for.
What else will help?
Treatment of acute thrombophlebitis or chronic usually involves the use of heparin drugs. Recommended ointments, gels for local use. Such drugs simultaneously eliminate blood clots and stop the activity of inflamed areas, soothe tissues. Heparin ointments have a pronounced analgesic effect. To increase efficiency, you can make cold compresses.
In some cases, a course of antimicrobial drugs is indicated. Antibiotics are used if foci of suppuration are detected. The choice of funds is up to the doctor. Self-medication with such drugs always leads to serious consequences - the vital activity of beneficial microflora is inhibited, the intestinal tract is disrupted, and other negative results of unjustified intake may occur.
Treatment of venous thrombophlebitis always involves medical monitoring of the effectiveness of the program. Prescribed by the doctor and selected for themselves pharmaceutical products, alternative drugs can cause a side effect. All formulations have contraindications that are important to consider. The wrong choice of a therapeutic course with a high degree of probability provokes complications, toxicosis, allergies. A phlebologist at the reception will help you choose the best means to eliminate the disease.
Minimally invasive methods
Treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis is possible using the modern approach - minimally invasive therapy. This allows you to stop the symptoms of the disease, to alleviate the condition of the patient. If deep vein damage has not yet occurred, a minimally invasive method helps prevent this progression of the disease. Before starting the course, you need to understand why the health of the veins is lost. This will determine the most effective recovery program.
One of the most popular methods used in modern medicine is the cava filter. This is the name of the implant, which is installed below the vena cava. Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities involves the "capture" of all blood clots that have formed in the blood vessels and the prevention of their spacing throughout the body. The use of a cava filter can significantly reduce the risk of thromboembolism. An implant is installed if conservative methods have not shown a result, blood thinners are ineffective or contraindicated to the patient.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis of the extremities is possible by radio frequency obliteration. In this case, the blood vessel is sealed slightly higher in the direction of blood flow than a blood clot formed. This allows you to prevent separation of the neoplasm, which means it protects the pulmonary artery. Obliteration is performed under local anesthesia. The operation is done on an outpatient basis. A recovery period is not required. Shortly after the procedure, the patient is released home.
There are many options!
Treatment of deep vein thrombophlebitis of a chronic form of the disease involves a combined approach. Combined therapy includes minimally invasive techniques, conservative methods. In the absence of a pronounced effect and danger to the patient's life, radical intervention may be prescribed.
Endovenous coagulation is often sufficient. Through the local influence of high temperatures, sclerosis of the veins is performed. The vessel sticks together, the blood itself redirects to other veins. This event does not provoke pain, immediately after its completion, the patient can leave the hospital. To minimize the negative consequences, it is recommended to use compression jerseys of the second class for at least a week after the intervention. After this period, compression underwear is used only during the day.
With symptoms of thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities , the use of sclerosants can be prescribed. Substances for gluing the vessel are injected into the affected vein under the control of special equipment. The walls of the veins stick together, blood is redirected to other ducts.
Thrombectomy is a healing method in which the surgeon makes a small incision, inserts a catheter through it into a blood vessel affected by pathological processes and removes a thrombus. To ensure accuracy and safety of manipulations, the entire procedure is monitored through an endoscope.
The article describes the treatment options for thrombophlebitis. A photo of the manifestation of the disease is presented below.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis with minimally invasive techniques gives a good cosmetic result. The best prognoses in patients who have undergone events when the pathology has only just begun to develop. Minimally invasive therapy involves both taking medication and wearing special knitwear. Without these measures, even the most effective approaches will not have a lasting effect.
Radical intervention
With such an operation, the patient's venous area is removed from the body, and the vessel is ligated. The most modern methods involve the creation of small punctures through which special tools are inserted into the vein. This allows you to achieve minimal negative consequences for the appearance of the patient's legs, which is clearly seen from the photos presented in the portfolio of surgical clinics. Treatment of thrombophlebitis in this way is associated with a minimal violation of the integrity of healthy sections of the venous wall. At the end of the event, the therapeutic course is continued, using medicines, special knitwear. Hirudotherapy showed a good result.
To understand how radical intervention is applicable in a particular case, a special scan should be done:
If you see that the thrombus increases, the lumen of the venous duct in certain veins of the legs becomes smaller, the operation should not be postponed.
A fairly well-proven such option is an operation according to the Troyanov-Trendelenburg technique. It is indicated for an ascending form of the disease. Make a small oblique incision in the perineum, disrupt and bind the saphenous vein trunk. The surgeon processes the mouth of the vessel.
Crossectomy - a method in which at the same time work is carried out with five mouths of the saphenous vein inflows. Among other surgical interventions, this one is the most radical.
Stripping is a procedure carried out according to one of two types: long or short. The doctor removes part of the vein. The method is relatively less traumatic, and the cosmetic effect provided by it is rated as very good.
Microflebectomy is another gentle way of radical surgery. A small puncture is made through which a hook is inserted into the vein, allowing you to stretch the vessel and bandage it.
After the procedure, the doctor will explain to the patient how to continue the therapeutic course, reduce the risk of exacerbation, and prevent relapses. Re-formation of blood clots in the veins with careful observance of the recommendations received in most cases is not observed.
Antimicrobials: what will help?
Opinion about such treatment measures diverges. Some believe that antimicrobials do not make sense, there is more harm from them than benefits, while others actively use antibiotics in their practice. Usually resort to this group if thrombophlebitis is accompanied by an infectious lesion. It is possible to use drugs if other health disorders are associated with venous pathology.
In a predominant percentage of cases, blood clots appear in the veins affected by varicose veins. Increased blood coagulation is characteristic of the recovery period after childbirth, trauma, can be explained by hypothermia. Thrombophlebitis is possible against a background of a heart attack, stroke, infection, blood loss.
The initial stage of the inflammatory process is aseptic, there is no pathological microflora in the blood vessel, which means that the use of antibiotics does not make sense. Such drugs can only worsen the condition of the patient, since many of them provoke increased blood coagulability and can cause the formation of a blood clot if it was not there before.
If the process is complicated by inflammation of the veins that are not affected by varicose veins, ointments containing erythromycin are prescribed. The method is optimal if the patient has an allergic reaction to the penicillin series. In inflammatory processes, in some cases, novocaine-penicillin blockade is indicated.
Septic thrombophlebitis
If the disease is started or the patient tried to practice the treatment of thrombophlebitis at home with alternative methods, there is a risk of the stage becoming septic. Sepsis is characteristic of a complicated form of varicose venous expansion. Pathological microflora gets access to deep tissues, which is facilitated by non-healing areas of ulceration, violation of the integrity of the skin. The pus released during this melts the thrombus, through this section the infection enters the bloodstream. In such a situation, the classic treatment of thrombophlebitis does not bring results. It is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner, otherwise the condition will rapidly deteriorate.
As practice shows, home treatment for thrombophlebitis, accompanied by blood poisoning, is impossible. The disease is extremely difficult, without adequate and timely therapy leads to numerous complications. Perhaps the formation of phlegmon limbs or abscesses in the kidneys, brain, respiratory system. Signs of septic thrombophlebitis:
- chills;
- increased activity of sweat glands;
- heat up to 39 degrees, sometimes higher;
- severe pain.
The limb in which the processes are localized seems unhealthy. Already in appearance, severe inflammation can be suspected.
Is it dangerous?
With the septic form of thrombophlebitis, treatment with folk remedies, poorly selected classical or complete absence of any help to the body with a high degree of probability leads to venous recanalization. It takes no more than a couple of months. The vessels are "walled up", the fiber is covered with scars, the veins become insolvent. The wall thickens, the valves are subject to destructive processes. The patient can only be helped by conducting a large-scale radical operation.
If purulent thrombophlebitis is detected, antimicrobial agents of a wide spectrum of effectiveness are used. They affect a wide variety of strains, which is especially important for blood poisoning, since the process is accompanied by the penetration of not one pathological form of life into the bloodstream, but a large number. Widespread:
- "Augmentin."
- Tetracycline.
- Amoxicillin.
- Doxycycline.
Although all of these drugs increase blood viscosity, the benefits of them with a septic form are more than harm. The patient is prescribed a course of funds to adjust blood quality in order to avoid additional complications. Take into account that ethyl alcohol neutralizes the effectiveness of antibiotics, which means that when it is used by the patient, it will be necessary to start the therapeutic program from the very beginning.
To stop infectious processes, it is reasonable to use antimicrobial drugs injectively or infiltration. So the medicine is delivered directly to the fiber near the veins. High dosages can be used since the drugs have a local effect. Intramuscular administration is sometimes indicated.
Only medical therapy for septic thrombophlebitis is sufficient only in a small percentage of cases. As a rule, a patient is hospitalized, a foci of suppuration is opened, and a diseased vein is excised. At the end of the initial intervention, a course of antimicrobial agents and drugs is prescribed to reduce blood coagulation.
General recommendations
In order for the veins to be in good condition, in the rehabilitation period after therapy, physical exercises should be practiced, but within reasonable limits. You need to coordinate them with your doctor. May recommend:
- Hiking
- swimming;
- morning gymnastics.
It is necessary to exclude heavy loads and prolonged sitting from everyday life. Compression knitwear should be used, and for sleep, provide yourself with a place where the legs can always be above the level of the body. After stopping the infectious processes, the therapeutic course can be supplemented with leeches.
Treatment of thrombophlebitis with folk remedies in addition to the main program involves primarily normalizing the diet. Doctors and sorcerers agree that fiber-containing foods are most useful for patients. It makes sense to include in the diet:
- cereals;
- vegetables and fruits;
- whole wheat bread.
Heads of garlic, nuts, flax oil, ginger rhizomes, peppers and hawthorn fruits will benefit.Some multivitamin, mineral complexes have a positive effect on the venous walls. It is wise to include calcium-rich foods in your diet. Proper nutrition, a full-fledged diet, rich in essential components - an important aspect of complete recovery. An equally important point is the observance of medical recommendations and the rejection of bad habits.
What is this about?
Thrombophlebitis is a disease in which inflammatory processes are localized in the walls of the veins. A blood clot forms in the lumen of the vessel. The predominant percentage of lesions falls on the legs, but there are cases when thrombophlebitis appeared in the veins of the neck, sternum, hands. Thrombophlebitis often refers to pathological processes localized in the superficial veins under the skin. If deep veins are affected, they may be diagnosed with phlebothrombosis. In inflammatory processes that are not accompanied by the formation of a blood clot, phlebitis is diagnosed.
The causes of the disease:
- inflammation;
- injuries
- slowing down the speed of blood flow.
Symptoms of the disease:
- pain;
- heat;
- local redness;
- compaction near the vein;
- swelling of the limbs.
Symptoms become more intense as the pathology progresses. To confirm the diagnosis, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will examine the patient externally and send for additional tests in order to identify all the features of the condition.
With phlebothrombosis, edema of the limb, in which pathological processes are localized, is disturbing. A particular danger of this type of pathology is the duration of the latent course. Sometimes people do not suspect an illness for years.
If thrombophlebitis is accompanied by a fever, cough, respiratory failure, chest pain, fever, it is necessary to call an ambulance team.