Whether you got put on bed rest while recovering from a surgery or you were stuck on a plane for too many hours, deep vein thrombosis forms as an unfortunate side effect of impaired blood flow.
When the valves in your leg veins become compromised, blood can get stuck and have a hard time working its way back up to the heart. Over time, this leads to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the deep veins of your legs that can be very harmful when not treated quickly.
Our team at Florida Lakes Vein Center takes a compassionate, personalized approach to deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton, FL, all while staying precise and efficient. We understand the severity of deep vein thrombosis and the necessity of timely treatment. Trust the experts at our vein clinic to reduce your symptoms and facilitate healthy circulation.
Keep reading this guide to understand how we diagnose and treat deep vein thrombosis and how you can prevent future clots with self-care practices at home.
New Patient Visit
When you visit our vein center for concerns about deep vein thrombosis, we begin by asking you about your symptoms through a one-on-one visit. Although deep vein thrombosis requires a quick diagnosis, we try to understand what may have caused a blood clot if one is present.
We gather all the information about what puts you at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis, as well as current habits that may increase your risk. We may inquire about:
- If you experience leg fatigue or heaviness
- If you have noticed pain, cramping, or throbbing in the affected leg
- If your skin burns or itches
- If you have restless legs
- If there appears to be swelling on your ankle or leg
- If you have noticed skin changes in color or texture
Once we build a good understanding of your current symptoms, we start asking about your family history and your personal history with blood clots.
We continue to gather a deeper understanding of your risk factors and lifestyle choices that could lead to deep vein thrombosis.
We ask about any predispositions to DVT, such as medical history, habits like smoking, or treatments like hormone replacement therapy. During your consultation, you can also ask our experts any questions related to deep vein thrombosis or treatment.
Diagnosing the Problem With Advanced Technology
Once we have discussed your symptoms and necessary medical information, we diagnose the issue with vein ultrasounds. Before we can begin deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton, we must confirm there is a blood clot that needs to be treated.
The Power of Ultrasound
At our vein center, we utilize 2 types of ultrasound technology to assess your deep veins and surrounding tissues.
First, we use Doppler ultrasound to understand blood flow through the veins. High-frequency sound waves bounce off red blood cells to give our providers a look at any malfunctioning valves, poor blood circulation, or blood clots. This ultrasound also shows how fast your blood moves while highlighting any places it may be getting stuck.
We also use Duplex ultrasound, which combines the technology of both regular ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound. This helps our providers assess vein structure and blood flow while also capturing images. Using both technologies, we can pinpoint the problematic area in the vein and diagnose the issue.
With this information, we make informed decisions about deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton at our vein clinic.
Science-Backed Medication
Once we locate and diagnose the deep vein thrombosis, we prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners. We use Xarelto or Eliquis to help your body naturally dissolve the blood clot and prevent new clots from forming.
The blood thinners help prevent the blood clot from growing larger, breaking off, or causing further damage to surrounding veins.
What are blood clots?
Blood clots consist of platelets, fibrin, and other blood components. Your bone marrow makes platelets: small, colorless cell fragments. Fibrin is a blood protein that is sticky and stringy.
Both platelets and fibrin work together to seal and repair injured areas as part of healthy blood circulation. But when platelets and fibrin get stuck together in the vein along with other components of blood, such as red and white blood cells, they create a blood clot.
Prescribing Blood Thinners
Blood-thinning medications work by regulating your body’s natural blood-clotting process. Once a deep vein accumulates blood and forms a blood clot, the body needs help to dissolve it. Blood thinners undo coagulation and can inhibit fibrin (blood protein) production to prevent blood cells from sticking together.
After we prescribe medication for deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton, FL, we schedule periodic appointments to check on the blood clot. We want to monitor your veins as the clot begins to dissolve, and we confirm it won’t grow bigger or travel elsewhere in the body.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment Made Easy
Our vein center helps those suffering from deep vein thrombosis using medication and personalized treatment plans. Request a vein screening if you may be at risk for, or if you are experiencing the signs of deep vein thrombosis.
If you do not have deep vein thrombosis but want to know how you can prevent a blood clot from forming, keep reading. Let’s discuss how individuals can prevent this vein issue through self-care measures in Central Florida.
How to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
You can prevent deep vein thrombosis and other vein issues, such as chronic venous insufficiency, by taking a few proactive measures, as well as changing some lifestyle habits.
Wear Compression Stockings
Compression stockings apply pressure to the lower leg veins, which improves circulation and prevents blood from pooling or clotting. Clinical studies show that wearing compression stockings daily from morning to night (but not overnight) can decrease leg pain and swelling by at least 50%.
If you have a blood clot in the leg, wearing compression stockings also pair well with deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton. Since the blood clot blocks blood flow, your leg may retain fluid around the clot. Wearing compression stockings helps decrease deep vein thrombosis-related swelling.
Stay Active
Moving your legs keeps blood flowing properly. In fact, each time you take a step, your calf muscles flex to help your veins pump blood back up to your heart. This muscle movement is called your “second heart,” and it greatly improves circulation.
Sometimes, it feels difficult to get up and moving, especially if you are at work, travelling, or recovering from an injury or surgery.
- If you can get around and move, experts recommend you stretch your legs every 30 to 60 minutes to get blood moving.
- If you have to stay sitting or standing, try lower leg exercises by raising and lowering your heels with your toes on the floor. Then, raise and lower your toes with your heels on the floor.
- If you are on bed rest, try to move as soon as it is safe to, to encourage blood flow.
Change Your Lifestyle Habits
Several habits may lead to or contribute to deep vein thrombosis. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve blood flow and decrease the risk of blood clots.
We recommend that you:
- Quit smoking, as nicotine and tobacco restrict blood vessels, which can lead to deep vein thrombosis.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts excess pressure on blood vessels, making the formation of a blood clot more likely.
- Stay aware of medications, especially hormone replacement therapy or birth control. These can cause the blood to thicken, making it harder for your veins to push it upwards.
Schedule Diagnostic Ultrasounds
One of the best ways to avoid the need for deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton is to schedule diagnostic ultrasounds at Florida Lakes Vein Center.
If you have concerns about your vein health or have started experiencing symptoms, come to our vein clinic for an ultrasound. Through a comprehensive appointment, we will speak about your symptoms, risk factors, and use ultrasound technology to diagnose deep vein thrombosis.
If you know you are at risk for deep vein thrombosis, taking precautions and addressing the issue sooner rather than later can be life-saving. Staying healthy, being active, and utilizing specialized tools like compression stockings can help you keep your veins healthy.
Treat Your Deep Vein Thrombosis at Florida Lakes Vein Center
Without quick intervention, deep vein thrombosis can become extremely dangerous.
We understand how uncomfortable—even painful—deep vein thrombosis can be. When you come to us for deep vein thrombosis treatment near Bradenton, FL, our team provides top-quality vein care in a personalized setting.
Our consultation process, advanced ultrasounds, and treatments make Florida Lakes Vein Center a top vein clinic near Bradenton. Let’s treat your deep vein thrombosis quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to living the life you love. Request a screening or contact us to schedule your appointment.