Deep Vein Thrombosis (cont.)
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- Introduction to deep vein thrombosis
- What are the causes of deep vein thrombosis?
- What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?
- When should I seek medical care for deep vein thrombosis?
- How is deep vein thrombosis diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for deep vein thrombosis?
- What are the complications of deep vein thrombosis?
- Can deep vein thrombosis be prevented?
- Deep Vein Thrombosis - Slideshow
- Take the Blood Disorders Quiz!
- Spider & Varicose Veins - Slideshow
- Find a local Cardiologist in your town
What are the causes of deep vein thrombosis?
Blood is meant to flow; if it becomes stagnant there is a potential for it to clot. The blood in veins is constantly forming microscopic clots that are routinely broken down by the body. If the balance of clot formation and resolution is altered, significant clotting can occur. A thrombus can form if one, or a combination of the following situations is present.
Immobility
- Prolonged travel and sitting, such as long airplane flights ("economy
class syndrome"), car, or train travel
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Trauma to the lower leg with or without surgery or casting
- Pregnancy, including 6-8 weeks post partum
- Obesity
Hypercoagulability (coagulation of blood faster than usual)
- Medications (for example, birth control pills, estrogen)
- Smoking
- Genetic predisposition
- Polycythemia (increased number of red blood cells)
- Cancer
Trauma to the vein
- Fracture to the leg
- Bruised leg
- Complication of an invasive procedure of the vein
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