SUPERFICIAL Thrombophlebitis and Deep Vein Thrombosis
Blood clotting or coagulation is an important process preventing excessive bleeding when a vessel is injured, however sometimes clots can form in veins or arteries without obvious injury, resulting is sudden and dangerous medical situations.
Some people are at increased risk of developing of unwanted blood clots:
- Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, smoking
- Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, other chronic diseases
- Trauma, certain procedures, and surgeries
- Family history of blood clots, genetic predisposition
- Chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins
- Prolonged inactivity - sitting for hours behind the desk, long car rides of long plane flights, bed rest, cast
Prolonged periods without leg movement play a key role in the development of complications due to varicose veins and venous insufficiency
Superficial Vein Thrombophlebitis ( SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), are nearly identical symptoms-wise but have significant differences that could potentially lead to more serious conditions if not properly treated.
Superficial Vein Thrombophlebitis (SVT) and Superficial Phlebitis are the inflammation of a vein just below the skin with or without the presence of a blood clot, respectively. This condition can be resolved quickly with proper medical care. Untreated blood clot in superficial axial veins can progress into the deep vein system resulting in DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is caused by the presence of a blood clot in veins deep below the skin. This condition is much more serious than SVT as the clot could move to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism and sudden death.
Similarities
Both conditions are associated with warmth, redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area, usually the legs.
The pain level of Deep Vein Thrombosis is typically much greater than that of Superficial Thrombophlebitis, but the pain you feel isn’t an accurate indicator of which condition you’re suffering because everyone has a different tolerance to pain.
In patients with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, blood clot often forms because of decreased/restricted blood flow through veins in legs, due to extended periods without leg movement such as:
- Long car rides (traveling long distance or sitting in traffic for hours)
- Long distance flights ( 8-10 hour flight to Europe is definitely high of the risk factor for DVT in legs)
- Jobs involving desk work or standing in place
- Injuries requiring casts
- Bed rest
The only way to accurately determine which condition you’re suffering from is through a detailed evaluation, duplex examination and blood work as needed.
Blood clots formation is not restricted to veins in legs
If you are experiencing these symptoms along with shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing, call 911 or go immediately to emergency room as pulmonary embolism may be occurring.
Contact International Vein & Skin Institute today, to schedule appointment with Dr. Jozef Tryzno.
Call: (847) 518-9999