Thrombosis can be very painful and lead to dangerous complications, such as pulmonary embolism.
Which signs to take seriously.
It is actually a protection of your body: if you are injured, the blood coagulates in the injured area so that you do not bleed to death.
The blood forms a clot (also called a thrombus) that closes the wound.
In the case of thrombosis, however, such a blood clot also closes blood vessels that are not injured
: the blood flow is obstructed.
In the worst case, there is a risk of pulmonary embolism, from which 40,000 to 100,000 people in Germany die every year, according to the German Society for Angiology - Society for Vascular Medicine eV (DGA).
What types of thrombosis are there?
Thromboses are differentiated based on where the blood clot is located. Superficial vein thrombosis, also called
thrombophlebitis
, is the less dangerous type of thrombosis. With her, blood clots form and ignite just under the skin. In 90 percent of cases, the superficial vein thrombosis occurs in the legs, as the portal for
internists
informs
on the Internet
. According to the DGA, thrombophlebitis is often underestimated. Every fourth patient with superficial thrombosis also has deep vein thrombosis.
These
deep vein thromboses
(DVT) are the more dangerous type of thrombosis.
Here the thrombus completely closes a deep-lying vein, usually in the leg.
The clot stops blood flow, causing swelling.
These thrombi can loosen and travel through the vein to the lungs, triggering a life-threatening pulmonary embolism there.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis
Do you have swelling on your ankle, lower leg or whole leg * and does the affected area feel tense?
Do you feel a pain in your calf when stepping on?
Does the affected leg feel hot?
Does the skin on the leg turn blue?
These symptoms could be signs of a thrombosis, according to the DGA.
In the event of one or more of the above symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.
Bedridden people in particular, who are particularly at risk, often have no symptoms for a long time, according to the DGA.
If there is pain when you breathe in, it indicates a pulmonary embolism
.
This can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
What are the causes of the thrombosis?
According to the DGA, thrombosis can occur:
When a patient lies down for a long time: Because the legs are not being used, the leg muscles do not pump blood around the body as usual.
This leads to a slow blood flow, which increases the risk of clotting.
If a vein is injured (after surgery or an accident), or if there is a tumor near the vein, the risk of clotting is increased.
If you have already had a thrombosis.
The affected veins are more vulnerable.
If the composition of the blood changes, e.g. due to illness or hormonal changes.
Thrombosis risk groups:
Pregnant women
Women who use hormonal contraception
Cancer patients
People who have already suffered from thrombosis
Patients who are bedridden for long periods of time
Patients who have had an operation or an injury
Deep vein thrombosis: diagnosis
If a thrombosis is suspected, your doctor will do a blood test.
When you have blood clots, your body makes D-dimers, which your blood will be tested for.
If the test is positive, the vascular specialist uses ultrasound to examine the veins to detect thrombosis
.
If a dangerous deep vein thrombosis is suspected, the doctor usually examines the affected area immediately, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).
If individual areas are not visible with the ultrasound device, an X-ray examination with contrast agent is also carried out.
This allows the doctor to see where the blood is stagnating.
If a pulmonary embolism is suspected, it can usually be detected or ruled out with a CT scan.
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Thrombosis prophylaxis: How to prevent thrombosis
You get the best thrombosis prophylaxis by getting enough
exercise
.
Leg movement is particularly important here.
According to the DGA, the
leg muscles work like pumps
that send blood back to the heart.
Keeping this pump active will strengthen your blood circulation and the health of your veins.
Climb stairs, go for a walk, swim or hike, and ride a bike.
Especially after operations or when you are bedridden for several days, you should - if possible - move regularly.
Talk to your doctor about this.
In some cases,
preventive treatment with anticoagulant medication is useful.
The
risk of thrombosis during long trips
is scientifically controversial - and so are the preventive thrombosis stockings when traveling.
Medical compression stockings are especially prescribed for patients who have already had thrombosis.
They put pressure on the veins to increase blood flow.
Thrombosis treatment: what helps against thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis is usually treated as an inpatient.
In most cases, you will be prescribed anticoagulant medication.
Thrombi are rarely removed surgically.
Timely treatment is important to prevent complications and prevent you from
developing
post-
thrombotic syndrome
after thrombosis.
In the syndrome, the blood can build up permanently.
This leads to swelling, rashes and, in pronounced cases, to chronic wounds.
The first symptoms often only appear several weeks after the thrombosis, according to the IQWiG.
(Sofia Wrede) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
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