Has an area of one of your legs become swollen for an unknown reason? There are many conditions that can lead to a leg swelling up, but one of the more serious conditions is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The best thing that you can do is visit a specialist to find out if you have DVT, as the condition can cause serious complication when left untreated. Take a look at this article for some helpful information about DVT.
What is the Cause of DVT Developing?
Basically, DVT is a condition that can develop when a blood clot develops in a vein. The clot can develop in several areas of your body, but it commonly affects the legs. The main cause of a clot is from blood not being able to circulate through veins as smoothly as it should. There are many things that can lead to DVT developing, including sitting for long hours on a regular basis. You can also develop the condition from cancer, smoking, pregnancy, heart failure, and old age.
What is Done to Make a Diagnosis?
Your medical history is the first thing that will be discussed during the diagnosis process. The specialist will try to determine if the swelling in your leg is possibly from something other than DVT. You will also be given an ultrasound that is able to detect the presence of a blood clot via the use of sound waves. Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done to make a blood clot diagnosis in a vein. A blood test will be administered to find out if you have high level of D dimer, which is a substance that dissolves blood clots.
Why Should DVT Be Treated?
One of the worst things that can happen from DVT is the development of a pulmonary embolism. The bad thing about a pulmonary embolism is that it can block a blood vessel in your lungs. You can then find it difficult to breathe and experience an excessive amount of pain in your chest. A pulmonary embolism can lead to death.
What Kind of Treatment is Necessary?
A common method of treatment for DVT is a prescription for a blood thinner. The purpose of the drug is to prevent the clot from becoming bigger. It is possible that you will be administered a drug intravenously that is intended to break up the blood clot. The specific method of treatment will depend on how severe your condition is. Speak to a specialist at a clinic like Elite Vein Centers about the swelling in your leg as soon as possible.
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