Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is caused by a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of your body, usually in the veins of your legs. There are usually symptoms associated with DVT, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
If you have the following warning signs of deep vein thrombosis, it’s best not to ignore them. Contact Dr. Amish Tilara, M.D. at the Atlanta Vascular & Vein Center or see your local physician if you have:
- Swelling in one of your legs that you cannot explain.
- Leg pain that often begins in your calf.
- Cramping and soreness in your leg, especially in the calf or thigh area.
- Warm skin that is reddened
- Mild fever
It’s important that you don’t ignore these symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, as it can cause blood clots in your veins to break away and travel to your lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening form of deep vein thrombosis.
Diagnosing DVT
Your Atlanta physician can conduct several tests to pinpoint the location of a blood clot and its severity. A D-dimer blood test will show whether your blood levels are high for a clot-dissolving substance called D dimer. If you have elevated blood levels of D dimer, you may have severe DVT.
A venography test will show whether the flow of blood has slowed, which may indicate you have a blood clot. To conduct this test, a contrast dye is injected into a vein in your foot or ankle as X-rays are taken of the areas in question.
A test, such as an ultrasound Doppler, can be used to confirm a DVT diagnosis when less invasive methods are preferred. An ultrasound measures blood flow in the veins to detect blockage. During this test, a device is placed over the part of your body where the clot is suspected. It transmits sound waves to the area which reflect back moving images onto a video screen. A clot can be seen in this way.
DVT Treatments
Once you’ve been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, there are treatments that can help prevent the clot from becoming enlarged or breaking loose to cause a pulmonary embolism. Blood thinning medications known as anticoagulants can be used to treat DVT. An anticoagulant can also help stop new blood clots from forming. The dosage may need to be checked and adjusted until the correct balance is reached.
Compression stockings can be worn to help prevent another DVT from developing. Stockings can also aid in preventing complications.
An inferior vena cava filter (IVC) for patients who cannot take anticoagulants may be needed. This filter is implanted into the largest vein in your body by a vascular surgeon, such as Dr. Amish Tilara, M.D., to prevent pulmonary emboli.
Dr. Amish Tilara, M.D. of the Atlanta Vascular & Vein Center is located in Lawrenceville, GA, but he also serves the surrounding areas, such as Duluth, Dacula, Buford, Grayson, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee.
This article is not meant to take the place of professional medical advice. Be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Amish Tilara, M.D. or a physician in your area if you have a concern about DVT or other vein issues.
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