Deep Venous Thrombosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the body. The deep veins in the legs, thighs, and hips are the most common sites for DVT. Having certain conditions such as infections, cancer, obesity, or heart failure puts you at risk for DVT. Taking medicines that contain estrogen (hormone) or being pregnant may also cause clots to form. Having a major surgery or injury may also lead to this condition. Increasing age over 50, being inactive for a long time, and smoking are other risk factors for DVT. With DVT, you can get a very bad condition called pulmonary embolism. This is when part of the clot breaks off and travels to block blood flow to the lungs.
  
  
• DVT may cause swelling, redness, and pain or tenderness in your hips, thighs, or legs. Your caregiver may use ultrasound and blood tests to learn more about your condition. You may need treatment if you have DVT, or preventive treatment if you are at risk for it. Treatment includes medicines to keep new clots from forming and stop the clots you have from getting bigger. You may need emergency medicine to break apart clots blocking blood to a vital organ. Compression stockings, pneumatic boots, or vena cava filters may also be used to treat or prevent DVT. Finding and treating DVT as soon as possible may relieve your symptoms and prevent heart or lung problems.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Aspirin to stop blood clots: Aspirin helps thin the blood to keep blood clots from forming. If caregivers tell you to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. Do not take more or less aspirin than caregivers say to take.
  
  
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. Do the following if you are taking a blood thinner:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose, or in your urine or BMs.
    
    
  • Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Doing this can keep your skin and gums from bleeding.
    
    
  • Tell your dentist before dental cleanings, and other caregivers before other procedures, that you take blood thinning medicine.
    
    
  • If you shave, use an electric shaver.
    
    
  • Do not play contact sports since you may bleed or bruise easily.
    
    
  • Wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace that says you are taking a blood thinner medicine. You may get one from your local drugstore or contact the MedicAlert Foundation.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Compression stockings: Your caregiver may order compression stockings for you to wear. These are tight elastic stockings that put pressure on your legs. The pressure is highest near the toe and decreases as it goes towards the thighs. Wearing pressure stockings help push blood back up to the heart and keeps clots from forming. Ask your caregiver for more information on using compression stockings.

Exercise and diet: Exercising and eating healthy foods will give you more energy and prevent weight gain. Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, and fish. Ask your caregiver what exercises you can do and if you need to be on a special diet.

Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• One of your legs has become larger than the other.
  
  
• The skin on any part of your legs or hips turns purplish in color.
  
  
• You have pain in your leg or trouble walking.
  
  
• You have more questions regarding your medicines or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have fast breathing, trouble breathing, or are coughing up blood.
  
  
• You have chest pain, loss of consciousness, or strong, fast heartbeats.
  
  
• You have convulsions (seizures) or migraines (very bad headaches).
  
  
• You have slurred speech, increased sleepiness, or problems seeing, talking, thinking, or remembering.
  
  
• You have weakness or cannot move your arm or leg on one side of your body.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page