Venous thrombosis

Overview

Venous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms within a vein, most frequently in the legs. A swollen and painful leg, sometimes with a bluish discolouration is typical. Preventive measures include sufficient exercise, avoidance of excess weight and no smoking.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Sudden appearance in a leg:
  • Throbbing pain
  • Overheating
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Bluish discolouration
  • Feeling of heaviness

Other symptoms

• Symptoms of a lung embolism
• Fever
• General feeling of being unwell

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Damage to the vein wall
  • Inflammations
  • Injuries
• Activation of coagulation
  • Often, a genetic predisposition (e.g. Factor V Leiden)
• Slowing of blood flow
  • Lack of exercise
  • Confinement to bed
  • Travelling by air / bus

Risk factors

• Smoking
• Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
• Confinement to bed (advancing age, wheelchair, injuries, etc.)
• Varicose veins
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Women: contraceptive pill

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Ultrasound (sonography)
• Blood test (search for blood clots)

Possible therapies

• Operation to remove varicose veins
• Blood-thinning medication (anticoagulation)
• Medication to dissolve blood clots (thrombolysis)
  

What can I do myself?

• Physical activity encourages blood flow and prevents varicose veins and thromboses
• Wear support stockings
• Sometimes rest with the legs up
• Kneipp therapy
• Stop smoking

Get a personal Preventive Care Recommendation now.

When to see a doctor?

• A leg or arm swells up suddenly, is painful and turns blue
• Persistent feeling of tightness in a leg or arm
• Increasing breathlessness
• Pain when breathing

Synonyms

Venous thrombosis