How to treat thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities

Thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of the vein wall, which leads to thickening of the blood and the formation of a hard clot - a blood clot. As it grows, a thrombus may increase in size and closes the lumen of the venous outflow partially or completely. Thrombophlebitis is most often observed in acute or chronic form. Often the disease occurs against the background of varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis can be extremely dangerous, since a broken blood clot can block the flow of blood to vital organs. If a blood clot enters the pulmonary artery, acute disturbances in the respiratory system occur, and if a blood clot hits the heart valve, a stroke can develop. In this case, the patient's life depends on the size of the blood clot that has come off, but most often the untimely recognition of symptoms and the lack of prompt professional help is fatal.

Why does thrombophlebitis occur

Most often, thrombophlebitis appears on the lower limbs, because it is the legs that experience the maximum pressure and load. But why can some women, up to their very old age, boast beautiful, smooth and healthy legs, while others, at the age of 30, experience serious problems with their veins? Here are some reasons that provoke the development of thrombophlebitis.

1. Increased coagulability. This is one of the most common causes of thrombophlebitis. Increased clotting is the risk of blood clots. This condition of the blood can cause hormonal disruptions, disruption of the liver, as well as dehydration. That is, if you drink a little water, the blood condenses, which leads to the possible formation of clots.
2. Inflammations If the vein wall starts to inflame, blood may thicken in this place. Injuries to the lower limbs, autoimmune processes, any inflammatory or infectious processes in the body can lead to inflammation.
3. Genes. Thrombophlebitis, as well as varicose veins, is often a hereditary disease that occurs due to genetically weak blood vessels.
4. Stagnation. Very often thrombophlebitis occurs due to venous stasis. This can manifest itself in people whose profession is associated with constant standing on their feet. Hairdressers, vendors, cooks are forced to stand all day, which leads to insufficient blood circulation in the lower limbs. The situation is aggravated if the patient has excess weight, which gives an additional burden. Venous congestion also often occurs during pregnancy, as a consequence of rapid weight gain and hormonal surge.
5. External factors. Smoking, alcoholism, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet - these are external causes that worsen the condition of the blood vessels of the circulatory system. Therefore, they are also considered to be a provoking factor, which, together with a predisposition of the organism, leads to thrombophlebitis.

Finding out the cause of the disease, you can deal with the problem much more effectively. But what are the symptoms of thrombophlebitis? How to identify the disease at an early stage?

How to recognize thrombophlebitis

Many patients are unaware of the disease in the early stage of its development, writing off the heaviness in the legs to normal fatigue after a hard day's work.This is fundamentally wrong, because early diagnosis and adherence to medical measures will not allow the development of the disease. So what are the symptoms of thrombophlebitis?

1. At the very beginning of the disease the venous wall becomes inflamed, while without the formation of a blood clot. This leads to an uneven wall of the vessel, there may be heaviness in the legs, swelling of the lower extremities, painful sensations after a hard day. At such stages of the disease, treatment is most effective.
2. As thrombophlebitis progresses, inflammation increases, enlarged parts of the veins appear visible to the eye, the bumps become painful to the touch, and redness appears at the site of the inflamed vein. The pain can be both acute and pulling and aching.
3. Often, in the place of the inflamed vein, the local temperature rises, rarely there is a general increase in body temperature.
4. After a long walk and standing on the legs, it is very difficult for a person to move, his legs hurt, the patient is experiencing acute discomfort.
5. In addition, pain can be not only in the legs, but also in the lower abdomen, in the lower back and in the sacrum.

If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention.rather than “suppressing” pain with painkillers.

Drug treatment of thrombophlebitis

Treatment of inflammation of the walls of blood vessels prescribed only by a doctor, it is undeniable. However, we will provide you with the basic principles of treating this unpleasant disease.

1. Anti-inflammatory medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cope with the most important - inflammation of the vascular wall. Among them are Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Nimesil.
2. Anticoagulants. Anticoagulants are substances against high blood clotting (Heparin, Enoxaparin, Clexan). They are taken to prevent the formation of new blood clots. Such tools have a number of contraindications, as they can cause bleeding. Therefore, drugs should be prescribed after a thorough history and awareness of chronic diseases.
3. Enzymes (Flogenzym, Wobenzym). They contribute to the removal of edema, produce an anti-inflammatory effect, and most importantly, help the already existing blood clots dissolve.
4. Antibiotics. If thrombophlebitis occurred on the background of injury, surgery, or has a post-injection nature, it is advisable to use antibiotics.
5. Thrombolytics Thrombolitics are used for resorption of already formed blood clots and can be used only under the supervision of a physician (in a hospital).
6. Painkillers They are needed in order to remove the painful symptom and reduce the temperature.

These are the main drugs that can be useful for thrombophlebitis. Only a doctor has the right to prescribe and correct treatment due to the high risk of a blood clot being torn off.

Additional recommendations
In addition to the main medical treatment, the patient is prescribed to wear compression stockings and tights. By creating a certain pressure, medical underwear enhances the outflow of blood from the veins, which prevents its stagnation. Wearing such stockings should be throughout the day, while the patient is in an upright position.

In the acute phase of thrombophlebitis, complete rest and bed rest are shown to the patient. A pillow or something soft should be placed under your feet to improve the flow of blood from the lower limbs. The patient is recommended to drink a lot of water to help thin the blood.

External treatment of thrombophlebitis is required.To do this, prescribed various ointments and gels that relieve inflammation, increase blood circulation, dissolve blood clots. Among them are Heparin ointment, Troxevasin, Ketoprofen, Vishnevsky ointment.

Caution! In no case can not strongly rub the ointment into the veins, massage or rub them. Active physical exposure can lead to the separation of a blood clot and death!

At the initial stages of thrombophlebitis, physiotherapy can be useful, for example, Dorsonval. Low-frequency currents stimulate nerve endings, increase blood circulation and promote the resorption of blood clots.

At serious stages of the disease, doctors may resort to surgical treatment of thrombophlebitis. With the formation of large blood clots, an operation is carried out to pinpoint the removal of clots. In case of serious lesions of the veins, a part of the diseased vein is removed.

Together with the main treatment of thrombophlebitis, it is very important to follow the diet and follow a diet that will help you to normalize the blood, reduce the amount of toxins and toxins, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots. You need to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meat, cereals.Refuse from junk and fatty foods. If there is excess weight - you need to get rid of it, because it is a tremendous load on the legs. With thrombophlebitis, medical fasting is actively used to clean the blood - for two days only liquid - juice, decoction, tea, water.

Folk remedies against thrombophlebitis

The use of homemade recipes should be only as an additional treatment in parallel with conservative measures. Before using this or that advice, you need to consult with your doctor about the possibility of its use in your particular case.

1. Soda. Soda has a powerful anti-inflammatory and resolving effect. You can make soda baths - dissolve a glass of powder in five liters of warm water and keep your feet in the liquid for at least half an hour. In addition, you can make soda-cabbage compresses. To do this, the leaves of cabbage need to knead with a rolling pin on the board, soda mixed with vinegar. Soda gruel is applied to the inflamed veins, covered with cabbage leaf, wrapped with film and insulated. Compress should be kept until morning.
2. Mumie. Altai mummy is an excellent means for diluting and purifying the blood to strengthen the immune system. 10 grams of funds need to be dissolved in two glasses of water and drink a black solution of two tablespoons in the morning on an empty stomach.
3. Walnuts and olive oil. Green walnuts should be chopped and put in a glass bowl. Pour warm olive oil. It is necessary to insist the medicine for one and a half months, keeping it in a cold place and periodically shaking the composition. After this time, the composition should be drained and lubricate their sore feet twice a day.
4. Lilac leaves. Lilac leaves have a good anti-inflammatory effect. They should be scrolled through a meat grinder, and the pulp attached to the inflamed veins. After half an hour you will notice a significant relief.
5. Leeches. Leech will help to get rid of stagnation in the veins, improve blood circulation and draw out “bad” blood. They are applied to inflamed areas of the veins. This is one of the most popular folk remedies for thrombophlebitis.
6. Burdock roots Burdock roots should be cleaned, chopped and filled with oil. Boil this composition on low heat for about half an hour, after which it must be drained and smeared with inflamed veins with the prepared medicine.

Folk remedies are not a complete treatment, but they will help you relieve a painful symptom and speed up recovery.

Thrombophlebitis is a common, but very insidious disease. Hiding behind the daily swelling, burning and pain in the legs, it can develop rapidly and lead to dangerous and deadly consequences. Take care of your health, consult a doctor in time, in order not to cure the disease, but to prevent its development in time.

Video: lower extremity vein thrombosis