Lakewood Ranch residents live fairly active lifestyles. With commitments from playing a round of golf or a match of tennis to visiting the grandkids on the weekends, you might think that lower leg pain has just formed from overexertion.
But what if there was a deeper issue that was being brushed off as too much activity?
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is not something that should be ignored. While some people experience localized soreness, tenderness, or warmth, others may not experience symptoms at all. But when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of your legs, seeking treatment as soon as possible prevents other, often worse, complications.
At Florida Lakes Vein Center, we have the advanced technology and proven care strategies to detect and treat DVT. Our team understands the importance of treating DVT quickly to relieve symptoms and prevent further issues. Let’s dive into what you need to know about DVT and how to seek DVT treatment in Lakewood Ranch at our vein center.
DVT Is a Dangerous Blood Clot
When someone experiences an injury or has surgery, their body creates blood clots as the first line of defense to stop excess bleeding. While your blood’s ability to clot helps you if you nick yourself while shaving or give yourself a paper cut, blood clots that form in the deep veins can be dangerous.
Deep vein thrombosis is a collection of blood cells that forms in the deep veins, which can partially or completely block blood flow. While this process on its own is not life-threatening, a DVT may break away from the vein wall and travel through the bloodstream. This can result in a pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in the lung, which becomes a medical emergency.
Without intervention, pulmonary embolisms can cause damage, up to and including fatal damage, to the heart and lungs. If you suspect you have DVT, seek treatment with our specialists immediately. We use ultrasound technology to diagnose or rule out DVTs on the same day you visit our clinic, and we provide efficient DVT treatment in Lakewood Ranch.
Symptoms Can Go Unnoticed
Researchers suggest that about half of the individuals who have DVT experience symptoms, which can worsen over time.
Symptoms that might indicate a DVT include:
- Swelling of the leg, which could come on suddenly
- Heaviness in the affected leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg that might worsen with movement, such as walking or standing
- A warm sensation in the swollen area
- Changes in skin color, such as reddening or discoloration
- Swollen veins at the surface of your skin, which may be tender to the touch
However, symptoms can also go unnoticed, and many people do not realize they have DVT until it becomes a pulmonary embolism.
If you have a blood clot in the lung, you might experience:
- Shortness of breath, which can include wheezing or fast breathing
- Sharp pains in your back, neck, shoulder, jaw, or arms that get worse when you take a breath
- A cough, with or without mucus
- Pale skin that may be clammy, or excessive sweating
- Feeling lightheaded, anxious, or faint, along with a rapid heartbeat
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek treatment immediately to prevent the issue from progressing further. DVT treatment in Lakewood Ranch at our vein center helps your body naturally dissolve the blood clot and provide symptom relief.
Anyone Can Get DVT
Although some groups of people have a higher risk of developing DVT, it can happen to anyone, and at any age. If blood flow is impaired in your legs for any reason, you could be at risk for DVT.
Other factors that can lead to DVT are:
- A history of DVT in yourself or your family, or an inherited condition that increases the risk of blood clots.
- Having cancer or receiving chemotherapy.
- Limited blood flow from illness, injury, surgery, or immobilization from travelling, sitting, or standing for long periods.
- Being pregnant or having recently given birth.
- Experiencing hormone fluctuations from birth control pills or hormone therapy.
- Having an autoimmune disease such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, or vasculitis.
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, using tobacco products, being overweight, or living a sedentary lifestyle.
- Having varicose veins or damaged veins.
DVT can have genetic origins, result from a medical condition, or form in relation to lifestyle choices.
Understanding the risk factors for DVT helps you prevent it by taking precautions to minimize the formation of blood clots.
Related topic: Understanding Chronic Venous Insufficiency
DVT Can Be Prevented
You can take steps to prevent DVT, especially if you have an increased risk of blood clots. One of the best ways to increase blood flow and reduce the risk of DVT is to stay active.
If you work a job that requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time, walk around every 30 minutes to optimize blood flow. If you are traveling and can take breaks, move your legs and exercise your calf muscles frequently.
Many individuals wear compression stockings to improve circulation in the legs. Compression stockings apply pressure to the veins in your legs, reducing the risk of blood pooling, varicose veins, and blood clots. If you need downtime after an injury or surgery, resume activity as soon as possible to promote blood flow and reduce the risk of DVT. However, DVT clots may still form, even after you take precautions.
Our vein specialists understand the need for precise and swift DVT treatment. In Lakewood Ranch at Florida Lakes Vein Center, we utilize advanced technology and medication to dissolve blood clots and prevent new ones from forming.
Diagnosing DVT Is Comprehensive
Our DVT treatment at Florida Lakes Vein Center does not require surgery or invasive procedures, but rather an effective prescription medication. Our process for treating and diagnosing DVT is both comprehensive and supportive, making us a “No Veiner!” for your vein treatment.
To begin, we conduct a vein screening and consultation to understand your symptoms, lifestyle, and risk factors. We ask questions, such as if you are experiencing pain, heaviness, swelling, itching, and cramping. Your provider also asks you to further describe your family history and your history of blood clots, if applicable. You also share information about your daily activity, lifestyle habits, and overall health.
To diagnose or rule out DVT, we use ultrasound technology. We have 2 types of ultrasound that help us inspect the veins and surrounding tissues. Doppler ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to assess blood flow and any possible restrictions. Duplex ultrasound combines regular ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound to capture images while looking for signs of deep vein thrombosis.
Treatment Is Simple and Effective
An ultrasound diagnosis helps our providers confirm whether you have DVT and continue with treatment options as needed. If we do identify DVT, we prescribe blood thinners, such as Xarelto or Eliquis, that work by helping the body dissolve the blood clot naturally.
We use blood thinners as DVT treatment in Lakewood Ranch to:
- Reduce the risk of further damage to the vein, such as chronic venous insufficiency.
- Stop the clot from growing bigger and affecting the surrounding veins or tissues.
- Reduce the risk of the clot traveling to your lungs.
- Prevent the formation of additional blood clots.
Once we have prescribed medication, our providers give you instructions on how to properly take the medication, as well as any precautions to take. We also schedule various check-up appointments to monitor your clot and how it dissolves.
Related Topic: Our Approach to Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment Near Bradenton, FL
Request an Appointment and Begin DVT Treatment
In Lakewood Ranch, our vein clinic helps those suffering from DVT reduce their symptoms and dissolve problematic blood clots, reducing the risk of further complications. If you leave DVT untreated, it can cause damage to your veins or other parts of the body, and it can even be deadly.
With personalized appointments and advanced vein ultrasounds to diagnose or rule out DVT, we help those with a blood clot get treatment quickly and effectively.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, tenderness, or changes to your skin, call our clinic at 941.866.8989 to schedule a screening. Or, request a screening online to begin your DVT treatment. Don’t wait and hope the symptoms go away; come to us for effective and compassionate care that provides relief.
About Florida Lakes Vein Center
Florida Lakes Vein Center serves as a distinguished, reputable vein clinic on the Southwest Coast. As we help individuals all over the region free themselves from vein disease, our lineup of advanced treatments and compassionate care has made us one of the top vein centers in the area.
From varicose vein treatment to DVT treatment in Lakewood Ranch, Florida Lakes Vein Center can help you find symptom relief, feel more confident, and lead a healthier life. Our expert team provides personalized treatment plans for every patient who walks through our doors. Let us help you with your vein concerns!