Maybe you were out walking on the fine sand of Siesta Beach when you noticed a shallow ache that started appearing more often during activity. Or maybe you noticed some swelling in your calf that didn’t seem to be there before your beach day.
Don’t brush off this aching as a sign of your age or dismiss swelling as sore muscles from lack of movement. While aging and inactivity can contribute to leg pain, you also might have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot located within the deep veins of your legs or thighs.
When symptoms present themselves, seek deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota at a vein center as soon as possible. Without intervention, deep vein thrombosis can lead to serious complications.
Our vein specialists can effectively diagnose or rule out deep vein thrombosis, treat it to provide symptom relief, and encourage healthier blood flow. Keep reading this guide for insight into deep vein thrombosis and how we manage it at Florida Lakes Vein Center.
How is deep vein thrombosis diagnosed?
We use vein ultrasounds to diagnose deep vein thrombosis. Whether your doctor or surgeon refers you to us or you have noticed the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, our ultrasound technology can diagnose or rule out the issue. We perform ultrasounds on the same day you come into the clinic, so you receive an efficient diagnosis.
We utilize 2 different types of ultrasound to get a look at your veins: Doppler and Duplex.
Diagnosing With Doppler Ultrasound
Doppler ultrasounds assess how blood flows through your veins and whether it is being restricted at any point. High-frequency sound waves bounce off red blood cells that circulate in the bloodstream to show how fast blood is flowing.
Diagnosing With Duplex Ultrasound
Duplex ultrasound combines regular ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound to look for signs of deep vein thrombosis, such as an occluded or obstructed vein. Regular ultrasound produces images of the area, while Doppler ultrasound assesses the speed of blood flow.
Through vein ultrasound and a symptom assessment, we either diagnose deep vein thrombosis or confirm you do not have it. Should you need treatment, we prescribe the necessary medication.
How is deep vein thrombosis treated?
For deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota at Florida Lakes Vein Center, we prescribe blood thinners. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, work by balancing your body’s natural clotting and anti-clotting processes. If you have DVT, your blood is clotting too much, and your body needs assistance breaking up the clot and rebalancing your circulation.
We prescribe Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and Apixaban (Eliquis) to help dissolve clots and reverse coagulation, or solidified blood. These are both oral medications that you take once or twice a day, preferably with food.
By following the instructions from our providers, you can:
- Prevent the clot from getting bigger and affecting the surrounding veins.
- Prevent the clot from breaking off and traveling to your lungs.
- Reduce the risk of additional blood clots.
- Dissolve the clot to prevent long-term complications, such as chronic venous insufficiency.
Our vein specialists schedule periodic check-up appointments to monitor the clot, how it’s dissolving, and whether the medications work properly.
How do I get started with deep vein thrombosis treatment?
If you are experiencing symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, know you are at risk, or have been referred to us for a rule-out, request a screening to get started.
From there, we will perform ultrasounds to get a deeper look into your veins. If you are seeking deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota, our providers at Florida Lakes Vein Center accurately diagnose and provide symptom relief.
Return to a healthier life with DVT treatment. “It’s a No Veiner!”
What is deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood cannot flow properly through the veins and forms a blood clot. This could happen because the veins are weak and damaged and cannot encourage healthy blood flow, or clots can form because the blood itself is sluggish and gets stuck.
The clotting process can happen anywhere in your body. However, deep vein thrombosis specifically refers to blood clots in the deep veins, rather than the superficial veins.
Superficial venous thrombosis consists of blood clots in the veins at the surface of your skin. These do not pose as much of a threat as deep vein thrombosis, since they rarely break off and travel to your lungs.
Blood clots in deep veins can break loose and travel through the bloodstream to your lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, a dangerous condition that requires quick intervention.
Through deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota, we help patients reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism through ultrasound diagnosis and medication.
How does deep vein thrombosis occur?
Anything that prevents blood from flowing properly or encourages clotting can cause a blood clot.
You have increased chances of a blood clot if you:
- Have weak or damaged veins due to injury, surgery, or inflammation, or previous deep vein thrombosis.
- Have sluggish blood flow due to a lack of movement, from surgery, from being sick and in bed, or from traveling for a long time.
- Have thicker blood, which is prone to clotting, from medical conditions or medications such as birth control pills.
- Are genetically predisposed to deep vein thrombosis or blood clotting disorders.
- Are receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment, which can damage blood vessels.
- Are over the age of 40. Aging increases the risk of blood clots, although deep vein thrombosis can happen to anyone at any age.
- Are pregnant or have recently given birth. Pregnancy puts more pressure on the veins, increasing the risk of clotting.
- Smoke. Smoking affects blood flow and increases the risk of clots.
All of these factors, and more, influence blood clotting and deep vein thrombosis. However, deep vein thrombosis can also occur without an identifiable cause. If you feel you are at risk or if you have the symptoms of DVT, we use consultations and ultrasounds to help those seeking deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota.
What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?
When someone has deep vein thrombosis, they may feel or see a variety of symptoms in the affected area, including:
- Swelling, which can occur suddenly
- Pain, tenderness, or cramping
- A feeling of warmth
- Red or discolored skin
- Veins appearing larger on the surface of your skin
If you are experiencing the signs of deep vein thrombosis, contact your provider immediately to get diagnosed. Our specialists at Florida Lakes Vein Center use vein screenings and consultations to understand your symptoms and discuss further treatment options.
What if I feel like I might have deep vein thrombosis?
If your doctor or surgeon refers you to us, or if you suspect you might have deep vein thrombosis, our process starts with a new patient appointment to assess your current situation and symptoms.
From there, we use ultrasound technology to diagnose or rule out a blood clot, and if necessary, we prescribe medication. During our conversation, we discuss your current symptoms and any lifestyle habits that may lead to deep vein thrombosis.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
We utilize an ultrasound to look at your veins and locate (or rule out) a blood clot. If we diagnose you with deep vein thrombosis, treatment near Sarasota at our clinic includes taking prescribed blood thinners.
New Patient Appointment
After our provider determines whether or not DVT is present, we sit you down for a new patient appointment to discuss the results. We want to know if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Leg heaviness or fatigue
- Restless legs
- Burning or itchy skin
- Color or texture changes to your skin
- Swelling in your leg or ankle
- Pain, such as aching, cramping, or throbbing
Along with inquiring about your symptoms, we dive deeper into your medical history and risk factors, because blood clots can relate to your genetics. To understand the cause of DVT, we ask about your predisposition to blood clots and your family’s medical background.
If DVT is not present, we might ask about current lifestyle habits that increase the risk of blood clots, to prevent them from occurring in the future.
We also discuss risk factors like:
- Whether you smoke cigarettes and how often.
- If you sit or stand for long periods of time.
- If you are on certain medications like hormone therapy or birth control pills.
- If you have chronic conditions that affect vascular health.
Experience Top-Notch Deep Vein Thrombosis Care
We understand deep vein thrombosis can be an intimidating concern. While it creates risk for serious complications, our experts at Florida Lakes Vein Center know how to properly diagnose and treat deep vein thrombosis.
Through personalized conversations and ultrasound technology, alongside deep vein thrombosis treatment near Sarasota, we promote healthier veins and symptom relief. Our same-day assessment provides quick treatment and diagnosis to get you on the road to recovery.
Use our vein screening tool to answer a few questions about your symptoms. From there, we will contact you with more information and treatment options.
About Florida Lakes Vein Center
With 4 locations in Lakewood Ranch, Sebring, Wellen Park, and Venice, our high-quality and compassionate care is never far from you.
From advanced treatments to reduce the discomfort of varicose veins or spider veins, all the way to wound care for venous ulcers, our treatment options extend far beyond deep vein thrombosis.
Whatever your concerns, our team is dedicated to providing the best care in Central Florida. We have performed over 15,000 successful vein treatments!
Visit Florida Lakes Vein Center—“It’s a No Veiner!”