Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DEFINITION
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which a blood
clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body, usually in the
legs.
DESCRIPTION
Clots can form in superficial veins i.e veins close to the
skin’s surface, and in deep veins. While blood clots in superficial
veins rarely cause serious problems, clots in deep veins require
immediate medical care. DVT is a serious condition because a blood
clot that has formed in a deep vein can break loose and travel to
the lungs. This is called a pulmonary (lung) embolism. In severe
cases, a pulmonary embolism can be fatal.
RISK FACTORS
Many factors can increase the risk of DVT. These
include:
  • Sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or
    flying. The same can occur with prolonged bed rest, such as during
    a long hospital stay, or paralysis. When the legs remain still for
    long periods, the calf muscles do not contract, which normally
    helps blood circulate. As a result, blood clots can
    develop. 
  • Inheriting a blood-clotting disorder that makes the blood clot
    more easily. This inherited condition may not cause problems unless
    combined with one or more other risk factors. 
  • Injury or surgery to veins can slow blood flow, increasing the
    risk of blood clots. General anesthetics used during surgery can
    dilate (expand) veins, which can increase the risk of blood pooling
    and then clotting. 
  • Pregnancy. The risk of DVT is slightly increased for women
    during pregnancy and for up to 6 weeks after birth. 
  • Cancer may increase the amount of substances in the blood that
    promote clotting. In addition, some forms of cancer treatment
    increase the risk of blood clots. 
  • Heart failure increases the risk of DVT because a damaged heart
    does not pump blood as effectively as a normal heart does. This
    increases the chance that blood will pool and clot. 
  • Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can
    increase the blood’s ability to clot. 
  • A pacemaker or a thin, flexible tube (catheter) in a central
    vein can irritate the blood vessel wall and decrease blood
    flow. 
  • A personal or family history of DVT or pulmonary
    embolism. 
  • Being overweight or obese increases the pressure in pelvic and
    deep leg veins. 
  • Smoking adversely affects blood clotting and circulation.
SYMPTOMS
Approximately half of all cases of DVT produce no noticeable
symptoms. Signs and symptoms of DVT that can occur include:
  • Swelling in the affected leg; this can include swelling in the
    ankles and feet. 
  • Leg pain; this can include pain in the ankles and feet. This
    pain often starts in the calf muscle and can feel like
    cramping.
  • Redness and warmth over the affected area.
  • The calf or thigh may ache or feel tender to the touch or on
    standing and walking.
  • Pain may get worse and last longer or become constant.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
DVT is a serious medical condition and requires immediate
diagnosis and treatment by a medical practitioner. DVT is a
potentially life-threatening condition, as the ‘plug’ which blocks
the vein may dislodge and become stuck in veins in the heart or
lungs (causing a heart attack or pulmonary embolism). DVT may also
cause considerable damage to tissues around the blockage. Always
consult your Doctor.
DIET HINTS
Your diet should be high in:
  • Wholegrains, cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats
    and low-fat dairy products.
  • High-fibre foods. Eat plenty of wholemeal and wholegrain bread
    and cereals, legumes (baked beans, 3-bean mix, kidney beans), oats,
    oatbran, and vegetables. These foods supply both insoluble fibre
    (to regulate bowel function) and soluble fibre (to help reduce
    blood cholesterol levels).
  • Fish oil. Good dietary sources are salmon, tuna, sardines,
    mackerel and mullet. Fish oils help reduce the stickiness of blood,
    relax the walls of the arteries and reduce blood triglyceride
    levels.
  • Vitamin E. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant to prevent the
    degradation of poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats. These
    fats, when eaten in small amounts to replace saturated fats, are
    beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol levels. Good dietary
    sources are wheatgerm, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, wholemeal
    flour and breads, cottonseed oil (especially if cold-pressed) and
    avocado.
Your diet should be low in:
  • Total fat content, especially saturated fats. Saturated fats
    are harder, and more solid at room temperature (eg. fat on meat,
    lard, dripping, butter, cream, full-cream dairy foods, hard cheese,
    processed meats, cooking margarine, solid white cooking fats,
    coconut oil, palm oil, chocolate, commercial cakes, pastries,
    biscuits and deep-fried snack foods).
  • Refined flour and sugar. These provide energy (kilojoules or
    calories) with little or no fibre or nutritional value. Avoid soft
    drinks, flavoured mineral waters, lollies, refined cakes, biscuits,
    pastries and sweetened cereals.
  • Dietary cholesterol. Avoid brains, liver, kidney, pate, fish
    roe and have no more than 3 egg yolks per week. Most cholesterol in
    the blood comes from the liver, not from foods in the diet. Low-fat
    foods and low-fat cooking techniques are preferable to
    ‘low-cholesterol’ or ‘cholesterol-free foods’.
PREVENTION
Preventing DVT is far easier than treating it after it has
occurred. Some common preventive measures include the
following:
  • Take any prescribed medications as directed. If you are having
    surgery, such as orthopedic surgery, you may be given blood
    thinning medication (anticoagulants) to reduce the risk of
    DVT.
  • Have regular check-ups with your Doctor to see if your
    medication or treatments need to be modified. 
  • If you take anticoagulants, watch your intake of vitamin K,
    which can affect how drugs like warfarin work. Foods high in
    vitamin K include green leafy vegetables and canola and soybean
    oils. 
  • Exercise your lower calf muscles if you will be sitting for a
    long time. Whenever possible, get up and walk around.
  • Movement is important. Walking as soon as possible after being
    confined to bed due to illness or surgery, will decrease the risk
    of DVT.
  • Make lifestyle changes. Lose weight if necessary, quit smoking
    and ensure your blood pressure is under control. Obesity, smoking
    and high blood pressure all increase the risk of DVT.
  • Wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots in the
    legs if your Doctor recommends them.
SUPPLEMENTS AND HERBS
  • Garlic and ginger thin the blood. The recommended dose of
    garlic is the equivalent of a clove a day.
  • The herbs ginkgo biloba and cat’s claw may help reduce the
    stickiness of the blood. .
  • Flavonoids – such as those found in grape seed extract, tea,
    grape skins, red wine and berry fruits – may help reduce the risk
    of blood clots .
  • Essential fatty acids (found in certain fish and cold-pressed
    vegetable oils) can reduce blood stickiness by modifying levels of
    chemicals called prostaglandins.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice
  1. Your Pharmacy has a range of compression stockings.
  2. Quit smoking. Ask your Pharmacist for advice about products and
    services to help you stop smoking.
  3. Your Doctor or Pharmacist may recommend low-dose aspirin for
    several days before flying, as it helps to keep the blood thin.
    Note: aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age
    unless specified by a doctor. Aspirin should be avoided in children
    aged 12 – 15 if they are feverish .