DVT

[madhuvaishu]

Can anyone please explain about deep vein thrombosis and please guide me how to tackle this..

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi

Some articles here bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...

bhf.org.uk/news-from-the-bh....

nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein...

[madhuvaishu in reply to skid112]

thank you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

DVT is as it says a clot in a deep vein usually the lower part of the leg. A DVT may be symptomless or display any of the following pain/swelling/redness. The danger is of all or part of it coming adrift as if it lodges in the lungs, heart or brain it can be life changing! A former colleague suffered one but was symptomless until a clot lodged in his lung. He was in hospital for about ten days. He was put on a number of drugs, including warfarin. Sadly he did not take the lifestyle changes seriously including reducing his BMI from ~35 and cutting his fat intake. I heard that he suffered a stroke a few years later and that he had survived but not whether it was life changing.

[Inamoment]

I had a DVT in my right leg around ten years ago. I woke up one morning and my leg was purple and black from knee to ankle. I went to see my gp who sent me to a&e with a letter. They gave me an ultrasound, some antibiotics, stuff to inject and I was on warfarin for six months. Oh and some lovely beige full length stockings. It's still not quite right, bit lumpy and bigger than my right leg. The whole thing was OK really, not too much bother and didn't hurt.

[Marisco in reply to Inamoment]

Might I suggest you were lucky "Inamoment" my daughter died in Hospital from a similar instance of a DVT - her embolism passed to her lungs and she died on Father's Day last year, whilst on the ward. To say I am not looking forward to the anniversary is..............

[Marisco]

Hi madhuvaishu

The real answer to the DVT question is that the venous system is comparatively under researched. the Arterial System, Cardio System and Arterial Clots are well researched. However, the Venous System is a poor relative getting very little research money. it is as if the British Heart Foundation invests in better Engines and ignores Braking Research, better Pumps but ignores the slower flow through the venous system.

I am aware of researchers in the School of Chemical Engineering in Birmingham University doing significant fundamental research into the Venous Valves and clotting with promising results but they could do with significant extra funding!

[Marisco]

There are some excellent training / revision videos for Trainee US Doctors from osmosis.org that are freely available on U-tube - search for "osmosis deep vein thrombosis". There is also an excellent one on Pulmonary Embolism. This explains in clear terms what is going on. Use wikipedia for terms you are not familiar with!