Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment at Home
By Dr. Animesh Choudhary +2 more
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By Dr. Animesh Choudhary +2 more
Table of Contents
The blood inside our body is free-flowing. It travels through our blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) to supply oxygen and nutrients to every corner of our body. Apart from this, cells in the blood actively work to protect you from physical harm as well, by forming blood clots when needed. These clots can also be formed abnormally if there is a problem in the blood flow or due to underlying medical conditions.
When these clots are formed in the deep veins of your body, the condition is called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which could be potentially harmful or even fatal. This condition occurs mostly in your pelvis (hip) region, calves or thighs, but with timely diagnosis and a treatment plan recommended by your doctor, including home-based care, it can be managed effectively. Read on to learn more about DVT treatment at home so you can get a better understanding about the condition.
The blood moves through all parts of our body. When it moves through our legs, sometimes it slows down and clots (thrombus formation) in the deep veins of our body. This is called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or venous thrombus.
In some cases, these clots are harmless. They can be mildly painful but may not be life-threatening. However, if the clot remains in place for too long, it can damage the vein and disrupt normal blood flow.
In other cases, when these clots break up, they form clumps and travel through the veins to other parts of the body. These clumps could either block the narrow veins or travel along with the bloodstream. By doing so, they may even cause fatal complications in the parts where they accumulate. One such rare but serious complication is called pulmonary embolism, where clusters of the travelling venous thrombus restrict the blood flow to the lungs1.
It is because of these risks, it’s critical to start DVT treatment even at the first signs like swelling, warmth, or pain in the legs. Following your doctor’s guidance and beginning deep vein thrombosis treatment at home can help prevent complications and get better outcomes.
Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT was generally considered a rarity among Asians compared to Caucasians. Though studies regarding the prevalence are sparse, a handful of studies show that there is a 3.7% – 17% prevalence of DVT among Indians.
However, upon recent revelations, DVT is believed to be undertreated and even underdiagnosed in many cases in India, even on par with several Western countries2.
The study9 states that DVT complications lead to more deaths than accidents in the USA. Contrarily, in India, not only is the DVT diagnosis poor, but the testing for deep vein thrombosis is made difficult by symptoms that are clinically silent among the DVT patients.
To Summarize
While DVT starts to appear in your legs or body, it can be disheartening to start the treatment for thrombosis. However, understanding the causes beforehand can be key in preventing DVT through medication or better yet, deep vein thrombosis home treatment.
While it has been declared that slow blood flow and clotting can lead to early-stage DVT in the leg, there are several other causes to look out for and manage from the beginning itself.
Complications from surgery could lead to post-surgery blood clots, which in turn could become DVT complications. However, the bigger risk is the inactivity that follows the surgery, which could lead to slower blood flow and clotting.
It is usually recommended to start a DVT diagnosis as soon as you face a recent trauma or injury. This is because an injury is generally followed by inactivity that you need to recover post-injury.
When there is an injury or infection to the vein, look out for symptoms of DVT in the leg. This is because blood forms clots as a protective mechanism against the infection. These clots could then develop into DVT, which would require medication or deep vein thrombosis home treatment.
To Summarize
Deep Vein Thrombosis treatment at home, when done alongside prescribed medication, is possible and manageable. However, in order to start the treatment process, you need to detect the DVT signs and symptoms in their earlier stages.
You should seek medical care immediately when DVT leads to a pulmonary embolism – a condition affecting your lungs. Here are the warning signs you may come across:
Upon any noticeable symptoms given above, ensure that you contact your doctor immediately before trying deep vein thrombosis treatment at home or any DVT natural treatments.
DVT complications are harder to manage when left untreated, even after noticing the symptoms of DVT in the leg or other parts of your body. Here is how the condition could escalate if untreated:
In order to avoid or reduce the complications that arise from thrombosis, preventing DVT through proactive diagnosis, medication and deep vein thrombosis home treatment are necessary.
To Summarize
Deep vein thrombosis is a common condition found in several Western countries. Some studies11 show that it is not as prevalent in India. Irrespective of how common the condition is, several medical treatments for thrombosis are available for you to try, along with the deep vein thrombosis home treatment.
If you suspect or have been diagnosed with DVT, there are careful procedures to help manage the condition. While there are experts to guide you through your exact needs, going into the treatment for thrombosis with as much information as possible can ease any anxiety and help you prepare better.
You may be asked about any recent surgeries, noticeable clots or leg pain and additional medications you take. They might suggest ultrasound tests to get clarity on the blood clotting leg symptoms and their escalations.
To Summarize
Medications and treatment for any condition could seem daunting. However, there are several deep vein thrombosis home remedies and changes you can begin with to take active steps towards managing the condition. Make sure to consult a doctor first and follow these deep vein thrombosis home remedies only after a doctor’s advice.
Blood thinners and thrombolytics are also called anticoagulants. They may not completely destroy the clots, but they can prevent the formation of new clots.
These are special preventative stockings created to fit around your calves and legs perfectly. They create pressure to push the blood flow up to the rest of your body, especially to your lungs and heart. This pressure is specifically made to prevent the blood from pooling and clotting around your calves.
Since these are stockings designed to add pressure, it is advisable to wear them as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you make any major movements. Putting on lotion before wearing the stockings also reduces skin irritation or friction.
Keeping your legs in an elevated position while sitting or sleeping will help prevent the blood from pooling into a clot and allow the blood to flow to your lungs and heart.
Idleness could speed up the risk of developing DVT. It is important to stay active by taking frequent walks every day to increase blood flow. Avoid sitting for prolonged periods – take scheduled breaks to stretch your legs and move them around. This is one of the most important DVT natural treatments you can take up.
This is specifically important if you are obese as well, as obesity is a risk factor for developing DVT.
It is vital to make healthy dietary changes to keep DVT under control. A typical DVT diet should comprise of:
Smoking causes problems in blood circulation to your lungs and increases the risk of blood clotting as well. It is important that you quit the smoking habit to take control of DVT, along with other health concerns6.
Especially when travelling long distances that involve sitting, so as to ensure your blood circulation is not cut off or clots are not formed easily.
Regarding oral contraceptives that contain oestrogen or any medication you’re taking, which may complicate the treatment of DVT.
To Summarize
It could feel alienating to experience DVT. However, you’re not alone. Here is a collection of stories from real experiences with deep vein thrombosis. These stories are aimed at helping you understand what it feels like to go through DVT and to realise that you have what it takes in preventing DVT and to bring it under control, just like these people did!
“In 2016, when I came home from a 9-hour journey, I suddenly felt uneasy and weak. My daughter asked whether I would need a glass of water but before she could bring me water, I started sweating heavily, tilted backwards and fainted. My daughter immediately called an ambulance and I was admitted to the emergency ward. Once there, I communicated to the healthcare team that I had previously had a blood clot, so I was tested for blood clots. The tests confirmed the presence of blood clots in my lungs.” – Beena
Since the diagnosis, Beena has been on anticoagulant medication for her pulmonary embolism. This is one of the most common DVT complications. Here are her suggestions on how she is coping with the condition:
“I have been dealing with deep vein thrombosis for more than 50 years. I have it in both legs in the groin area. It was diagnosed with it after my lower back surgery. I worked as a manager of an electronic parts distribution company for over 28 years. I am now retired and have been for the past 22 years. I will be 82 years of age this coming October.“ – Jonah
Jonah states that he feels like he has never been inhibited by DVT to lead a relatively normal, fulfilling life. Here are a few ways he has kept the condition under control all these years:
“During my 7-day hospital stay, it was found that I have a genetic susceptibility to clotting, through some tests. I am homozygous for the Factor V Leiden mutation7. This condition and oral contraceptives must have likely been responsible for my clotting episode. Today, I take blood thinners and will mostly do so for the rest of my life. Luckily, I am doing well now. I feel extremely glad to have survived my clotting episode, and I seem to have the condition under control.” – Kishore
Takeaways from Kishore’s journey with DVT are:
“In October 2017, I was 29 and pregnant with my second child. During the eighth week, I had severe morning sickness and vomiting more than five times a day. Everything else seemed normal. However, one day, I experienced a dull pain on my right side near my rib cage. I thought it must be from having slept in an awkward position. But, as the day went on, the pain grew severe and my breathing became short and fast. I took a CT scan and the results showed multiple pulmonary blood clots in the lungs and right-sided pulmonary infarction, a condition where an artery to the lung gets blocked and part of the lung gets damaged. I had to stay in the hospital for 9 days.” – Manasa
Since the episode, Manasa was experiencing anxiety but has started feeling her “body start to heal”, as she looked back at the incident with gratitude for modern medicine and experienced doctors.
Based on her personal experience, here are a few tips for treating Deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy:
DVT treatment in pregnancy can be nerve-racking. Keeping a sense of humour can get you through the anxiety of the incidents.
To Summarize
While medical treatment is recommended, you can supplement it with home remedies by including the following in your diet and routine:
– Ginger
– Pepper cayenne
– Cinnamon
– Garlic cloves
– Food rich in Vitamin D3
– Food rich in Omega 3
– Lifestyle changes such as frequent exercise, movement, quitting smoking and frequent diagnosis as well.
The Deep vein thrombosis symptoms include:
– Swelling in your legs
– Pain in your legs
– Warm skin
– Discolouration of the skin (usually bluish-red)
Walking is recommended for people with DVT, as it increases blood circulation in your legs. Inactivity can easily form blood clots, hence walking, especially while inactive for long periods of time, can help suppress the symptoms of DVT.
Watch out for the following signs to identify if you have a blood clot:
– Pulled muscles
– Cramping in your legs
– Soreness or inflammation
– Discolouration or redness in your leg
– Tightness around the affected area
These are the following steps to perform a DVT test at home:
– Extend the leg you suspect has clotting or vein damage.
– Slowly raise your leg to 10 degrees higher. You can take the help of someone to do the same.
– As your legs are extended and flexed, ask someone to press around your legs, especially your calves and knees for any feelings of soreness, pain or tenderness.
If you experience any of the above, book a consultation with a doctor or get diagnosed online through experts.
Foods to avoid when diagnosed with DVT are:
– Unhealthy fats
– Unsaturated foods
– Unhealthy levels of sodium
– Sugary food
– Processed foods
Ans: A study8 found that coffee can increase the risk of blood clots in your body, especially during exercise. It does not, however, damage the protein that could break down the blood clots.
These are the foods that dissolve blood clots:
– Ginger
– Cinnamon
– Ginkgo Biloba
– Grape seed extract
– Turmeric
– Garlic cloves
– Vitamin D3 and E rich foods
Ans: Although women are 5 times more likely to get diagnosed with Deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy, it usually does not affect the baby unless there are serious complications.
DVT can occur at any age. However, the risk factors such as pregnancies, surgeries, inactivity, injury to the leg, smoking and cancer treatment, can increase the risk of developing DVT.
Ans: Medical treatment for DVT should be carefully administered only after consultation with your doctor, as there are risks of complications. Among the known painkillers, Paracetamol is a safer option that the doctor might suggest with your other DVT medications. You may do research on the effectiveness of painkillers for your condition but never self medicate.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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