- What are the symptoms
- 1. Superficial thrombophlebitis
- 2. Deep thrombophlebitis
- How the treatment is done
Phlebitis, or thrombophlebitis, consists of the formation of a blood clot inside a vein, which prevents blood flow, which causes swelling, redness and pain in the affected area. This situation is considered a medical emergency as it can cause complications such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, for example.
The blood clot usually forms in the legs, and is very rare in other areas of the body such as arms or neck. Most of the time, thrombophlebitis happens when the person spends a lot of time sitting, in the same position, as it can happen during a long trip, being more common in people who suffer from poor blood circulation. Understand, in more detail, the causes of thrombophlebitis.
Thrombophlebitis is curable, and treatment should be guided by the doctor, according to the severity of each situation, and rest, use of elastic stockings, compresses and anti-inflammatory drugs or, if necessary, anticoagulant drugs may be indicated.
What are the symptoms
Thrombophlebitis can happen in a superficial vein or in a deep vein, which can influence the type and intensity of symptoms.
1. Superficial thrombophlebitis
Symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis are:
- Swelling and redness in the affected vein and skin; Pain on palpation of the region.
When identifying this situation, it is recommended to go to the hospital for the doctor to request a Doppler ultrasound, to check the extent of the disease and then indicate the treatment.
2. Deep thrombophlebitis
Symptoms of deep thrombophlebitis are:
- Startled vein; Swelling of the affected limb, usually of the legs; Pain in the affected area; Redness and heat in the affected limb, only in some cases.
Deep thrombophlebitis is considered an emergency. Therefore, when identifying some of these symptoms, it is recommended to go to the hospital to start treatment as soon as possible, as there is a risk of the blood clot moving and causing deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Understand, in more detail, what is deep vein thrombosis and how to identify it.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of phlebitis should always be guided by the doctor, and can be done with the administration of anticoagulants, massages with ice pebbles in the region, elevation of the leg with pillow support and use of elastic compression stockings, such as Kendall stockings., for example.
Treatment is influenced by the severity of the symptoms and the location where the clot formed. Some of the treatment options that can be indicated include:
Superficial thrombophlebitis:
Treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis consists of the following:
- Use of elastic compression stockings; Application of gauze wet in zinc oxide, for symptom relief, as it acts as a local anti-inflammatory; Massage with anti-inflammatory ointments from the affected area, such as diclofenac in gel; Rest with elevated legs, with the aid of a pillow, performing oscillatory movements of the feet, as shown in the images:
These exercises, as well as the position with the elevated limbs, favor the venous return through the gravitational drainage.
In addition, the use of anticoagulant drugs, to help break the clot, can also be indicated, in the presence of large clots or when they cause intense symptoms. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform surgery to ligate the affected area and remove clots.
Treatment for deep thrombophlebitis:
For the treatment of deep thrombophlebitis, the doctor may recommend the use of anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin or rivaroxaban, for example, which reduce the formation of thrombi, preventing cardiac or pulmonary complications.
After the start of treatment at the hospital, where the initial exams are performed and the dose of medication is determined, the treatment can be continued at the patient's home, and may last for 3 to 6 months, which will depend on the severity presented. When the person goes home, the doctor may also recommend wearing compression stockings, which help prevent swelling and other complications.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove varicose veins.
