Thrombophlebitis consists of partial closure and inflammation of a vein, caused by the formation of a blood clot, or thrombus. It usually occurs in the legs, ankles or feet, but it can occur in any vein in the body.
Generally, thrombophlebitis is caused by changes in blood clotting, which can arise from defects in circulation, common in people with varicose veins, lack of movement of the legs and body pain, in addition to damage to the vessels caused by injections into the vein, for example. It can arise in 2 ways:
- Superficial thrombophlebitis: it occurs in superficial veins of the body, responding well to therapy and bringing less risk to the patient's life; Deep thrombophlebitis: it is considered an emergency case to prevent the thrombus from moving and causing serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, for example. Deep thrombophlebitis is also known as deep vein thrombosis. Understand how deep vein thrombosis is caused and its risks.
Thrombophlebitis is curable, and its treatment is guided by the doctor, including measures to reduce inflammation of the blood vessel, such as warm water compresses, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases, the use of anticoagulant drugs to dissolve the clot.
How it is caused
Thrombophlebitis arises due to obstruction of blood flow due to a clot, together with an inflammation of the vessel. Some of the possible causes are:
- Lack of movement of the legs that may be the result of surgery or a long trip by car, bus or plane; Injury to a vein caused by injections or use of a catheter for medications in the vein; Varicose veins in the legs; Diseases that alter blood clotting, such as thrombophilia, generalized infections or cancer; Pregnancy, as it is also a condition that alters blood clotting
Thrombophlebitis can appear in any region of the body, with the legs, feet and arms being the areas most affected, as they are the areas most exposed to small injuries and susceptible to the formation of varicose veins. Another area that can be affected is the male sexual organ, since erection can cause trauma to blood vessels and changes in blood circulation in the region, increasing the risk of clotting and giving rise to a condition called thrombophlebitis of the superficial dorsal vein of the penis.
Main symptoms
Superficial thrombophlebitis causes swelling and redness in the affected vein, with pain on palpation of the site. When it reaches deeper regions, it is common to experience pain, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the affected limb, which in most cases are the legs.
To confirm thrombophlebitis, in addition to clinical evaluation, it is necessary to perform a doppler ultrasound of the blood vessels, which demonstrate the presence of the clot and the interruption of blood flow.
How to treat
The treatment for thrombophlebitis also varies according to the type of disease presented. Thus, the treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis consists of the use of warm water compresses, elevation of the affected limb to facilitate lymphatic drainage and the use of elastic compression stockings.
The treatment of deep thrombophlebitis is done with rest and use of anticoagulant drugs, such as heparin or another oral anticoagulant, as a way to dissolve the thrombus and prevent it from reaching other parts of the body. To understand more details about ways to cure thrombophlebitis, check out the treatment for thrombophlebitis.
