Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
Update Date: 2008/07/28 09:32 UHO Editorial Department
What is "deep vein thrombosis"? Simply put, it refers to the formation of blood clots in the veins of the lower extremities, which are the farthest from the heart. Due to factors such as blood coagulation components, vascular wall smoothness, or hemodynamics, along with certain diseases or unknown reasons, changes occur that lead to the formation of thrombus blocks, obstructing venous blood return. This is akin to a traffic jam on a highway, where the entire venous circulation comes to a standstill. This type of venous thrombosis most commonly occurs in the veins of the lower extremities, especially among office workers who "maintain the same posture for long periods," making them a high-risk group.
Dr. Xie Junxiong from the Cardiology Department of Guangtian General Hospital points out that deep vein thrombosis generally occurs in the lower extremities, where the large veins are located deeper. However, some individuals have inherent venous development defects, such as coagulation dysfunction, heart failure, or difficulty in distal blood flow return. Coupled with prolonged maintenance of the same leg posture, especially sitting or squatting, blood is more likely to coagulate in the vessels and block venous return. When blood accumulates at the extremities, it gradually forms redness and swelling, which is deep vein thrombosis.
The clinical manifestations of deep vein thrombosis include tightness and pain, edema, increased leg circumference, and tenderness in the calf. Unlike diseases that cause knee swelling, it usually occurs after maintaining the same leg posture for a long time and often affects one side. Some patients may not exhibit the aforementioned clinical symptoms but instead present with related complications. The most common and potentially fatal complication is "pulmonary embolism." If smaller vessels are blocked, it can cause local pulmonary infarction and necrosis. If the blockage is at the entrance of larger vessels like the pulmonary artery, it can lead to insufficient right ventricular output and sometimes sudden death. Acute pulmonary embolism symptoms include dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, hemoptysis, cough, pleuritic pain, and palpitations, with acute dyspnea being the most common, occurring in over 80% of cases.
Dr. Xie Junxiong states that for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, internal medicine uses thrombolytics or anticoagulants, while surgery can be performed to remove the thrombus. Doctors will assess the severity of the condition to determine if hospitalization and further examination are necessary. The treatment principle involves bed rest, elevation of the affected limb, and the use of anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors based on the patient's condition. Generally, symptoms improve after treatment, and unless complications such as limb ischemia and necrosis or pulmonary embolism occur, surgery is not recommended. After discharge, in addition to using the aforementioned methods to prevent deep vein thrombosis, long-term outpatient follow-up and even long-term medication to prevent recurrence are necessary. If anticoagulant use still frequently leads to complications like pulmonary embolism, surgery to implant an inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter) may be required.
So, how can we prevent deep vein thrombosis? Foreign studies show that maintaining a sitting posture for two hours in a stationary state increases blood viscosity in the calves by 17%, thereby increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism. Therefore, those who sit for long periods are at high risk. To avoid this condition, it is advisable for those who travel long distances or have jobs requiring prolonged sitting to get up and move around frequently or stretch their back and leg muscles while seated to maintain smooth blood circulation. Additionally, increasing water intake, avoiding alcoholic or stimulating beverages like tea and coffee, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing are preventive measures.
For high-risk individuals (such as those who are bedridden), elevating the lower limbs and wearing compression stockings can prevent deep vein thrombosis. Ordinary people should try to avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and if unavoidable, they should try to avoid maintaining the same posture for too long.Dr. Xie Junxiong also proposed several points to pay attention to in daily life:
1. Enhance blood return: Patients can rest in bed and elevate the affected limb as prescribed by the doctor; wear elastic stockings when getting out of bed to enhance blood return.
2. Relieve pain: Use warm compresses to relieve pain and prevent spasms. Be careful not to use too high a temperature to avoid burns, and avoid using electric heaters.
3. Prevent the formation of deep vein thrombosis: Wear long elastic stockings, perform active and passive exercises during bed rest, use continuous compression devices or calf muscle stimulators as prescribed by the doctor, encourage early ambulation, avoid prolonged pressure on the lower limbs while in bed, avoid maintaining any position for too long (such as standing with legs crossed or wearing tight clothing), maintain an ideal weight, consume appropriate amounts of water and a low-fat diet, engage in suitable exercise, and refrain from smoking.
4. Patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy should be aware of bleeding symptoms during treatment, such as nosebleeds, blood in sputum, bloody stools, hematuria, or hematoma at injection sites, and closely monitor coagulation data in the patient's blood.
【Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Lower Limbs】
‧ Over 40 years old
‧ Obesity
‧ Recent thrombosis or family history of thrombosis
‧ Malignant tumors
‧ Blood diseases
‧ Cardiovascular diseases (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, etc.)
‧ Bedridden patients (such as after a stroke or major surgery, especially hip or knee surgery)
‧ Varicose veins
‧ Pregnancy or oral contraceptive use
Source: http://www. uho. com. tw/ hotnews. asp? aid=4732
Sedentary Office Workers at Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis
What is "deep vein thrombosis"? Simply put, it refers to the formation of blood clots in the veins of the lower extremities, which are the farthest from the heart. Due to factors such as blood coagulation components, vascular wall smoothness, or hemodynamics, along with certain diseases or unknown reasons, changes occur that lead to the formation of thrombus blocks, obstructing venous blood return. This is akin to a traffic jam on a highway, where the entire venous circulation comes to a standstill. This type of venous thrombosis most commonly occurs in the veins of the lower extremities, especially among office workers who "maintain the same posture for long periods," making them a high-risk group.
Dr. Xie Junxiong from the Cardiology Department of Guangtian General Hospital points out that deep vein thrombosis generally occurs in the lower extremities, where the large veins are located deeper. However, some individuals have inherent venous development defects, such as coagulation dysfunction, heart failure, or difficulty in distal blood flow return. Coupled with prolonged maintenance of the same leg posture, especially sitting or squatting, blood is more likely to coagulate in the vessels and block venous return. When blood accumulates at the extremities, it gradually forms redness and swelling, which is deep vein thrombosis.
The clinical manifestations of deep vein thrombosis include tightness and pain, edema, increased leg circumference, and tenderness in the calf. Unlike diseases that cause knee swelling, it usually occurs after maintaining the same leg posture for a long time and often affects one side. Some patients may not exhibit the aforementioned clinical symptoms but instead present with related complications. The most common and potentially fatal complication is "pulmonary embolism." If smaller vessels are blocked, it can cause local pulmonary infarction and necrosis. If the blockage is at the entrance of larger vessels like the pulmonary artery, it can lead to insufficient right ventricular output and sometimes sudden death. Acute pulmonary embolism symptoms include dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, hemoptysis, cough, pleuritic pain, and palpitations, with acute dyspnea being the most common, occurring in over 80% of cases.
Dr. Xie Junxiong states that for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, internal medicine uses thrombolytics or anticoagulants, while surgery can be performed to remove the thrombus. Doctors will assess the severity of the condition to determine if hospitalization and further examination are necessary. The treatment principle involves bed rest, elevation of the affected limb, and the use of anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors based on the patient's condition. Generally, symptoms improve after treatment, and unless complications such as limb ischemia and necrosis or pulmonary embolism occur, surgery is not recommended. After discharge, in addition to using the aforementioned methods to prevent deep vein thrombosis, long-term outpatient follow-up and even long-term medication to prevent recurrence are necessary. If anticoagulant use still frequently leads to complications like pulmonary embolism, surgery to implant an inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter) may be required.
So, how can we prevent deep vein thrombosis? Foreign studies show that maintaining a sitting posture for two hours in a stationary state increases blood viscosity in the calves by 17%, thereby increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism. Therefore, those who sit for long periods are at high risk. To avoid this condition, it is advisable for those who travel long distances or have jobs requiring prolonged sitting to get up and move around frequently or stretch their back and leg muscles while seated to maintain smooth blood circulation. Additionally, increasing water intake, avoiding alcoholic or stimulating beverages like tea and coffee, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing are preventive measures.
For high-risk individuals (such as those who are bedridden), elevating the lower limbs and wearing compression stockings can prevent deep vein thrombosis. Ordinary people should try to avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and if unavoidable, they should try to avoid maintaining the same posture for too long.Dr. Xie Junxiong also proposed several points to pay attention to in daily life:
1. Enhance blood return: Patients can rest in bed and elevate the affected limb as prescribed by the doctor; wear elastic stockings when getting out of bed to enhance blood return.
2. Relieve pain: Use warm compresses to relieve pain and prevent spasms. Be careful not to use too high a temperature to avoid burns, and avoid using electric heaters.
3. Prevent the formation of deep vein thrombosis: Wear long elastic stockings, perform active and passive exercises during bed rest, use continuous compression devices or calf muscle stimulators as prescribed by the doctor, encourage early ambulation, avoid prolonged pressure on the lower limbs while in bed, avoid maintaining any position for too long (such as standing with legs crossed or wearing tight clothing), maintain an ideal weight, consume appropriate amounts of water and a low-fat diet, engage in suitable exercise, and refrain from smoking.
4. Patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy should be aware of bleeding symptoms during treatment, such as nosebleeds, blood in sputum, bloody stools, hematuria, or hematoma at injection sites, and closely monitor coagulation data in the patient's blood.
【Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Lower Limbs】
‧ Over 40 years old
‧ Obesity
‧ Recent thrombosis or family history of thrombosis
‧ Malignant tumors
‧ Blood diseases
‧ Cardiovascular diseases (congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, etc.)
‧ Bedridden patients (such as after a stroke or major surgery, especially hip or knee surgery)
‧ Varicose veins
‧ Pregnancy or oral contraceptive use
Source: http://www. uho. com. tw/ hotnews. asp? aid=4732