Despite the prevalence of the condition Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT in Singapore, only a handful of Singaporeans understand what it is. Not everyone knows the symptoms they need to look out for and why a vein clinic in Singapore is necessary for its treatment.
So, in hopes of educating Singaporeans further, we've created a guide for Deep Vein Thrombosis!
What Deep Vein Thrombosis is
DVT is a serious condition that develops when blood clots form in the veins deep within the body of a patient.
While blood clots can form in various areas of our body, DVT typically occurs within the thigh or lower leg of a patient. Other terms often associated with the condition include post-thrombotic syndrome and postphlebitic syndrome.
What Are The Symptoms of DVT?
Unfortunately, not all cases of DVT manifest visible symptoms. But generally speaking, some of the common symptoms that patients feel include swelling in the foot or the leg, cramping pain that often begins in the calf as well as severe pain in the foot or the ankle.
In certain cases, DVT patients feel warmth in the skin of the affected area as well as visible reddish or bluish marks.
Patients that have upper extremity DVT may experience symptoms that include neck pain, shoulder pain, and swelling in the arm or hand.
On the other hand, Singaporeans with undiagnosed DVT may not find out that they have the condition until they receive emergency treatment.
Causes of DVT
Various factors can cause DVT. But typically, the causes are categorized into four; injury, surgery, inactivity and medications.
Blood clots can form when an injury damages a blood vessel's wall, causing it to narrow down or block blood flow. Another thing that can damage our blood vessels walls is surgery. Bed rest without activity may also increase the risk of a patient getting a blood clot.
Increased inactivity can also cause blood clots as our legs collect more blood whenever we're immobile. Singaporeans that are inactive for lengthy periods are at risk of developing DVT. Furthermore, Singaporeans that are taking certain medications that increase the chances of getting blood clots are also at risk.
Untreated Varicose Veins And DVT
The correlation of varicose veins and DVT is generally misunderstood. Some people think that they can have both conditions at the same time. When in reality, it's nearly impossible to happen.
This is because varicose veins pertain to the veins closer to the surface of our skin. All the while, DVT is all about clots within deeper veins. But while both conditions are different, untreated and severe cases of varicose veins increases the risk of developing DVT.
A vein doctor can help Singaporean patients assess their risk for DVT and how they can treat their varicose veins early on.
Possible Treatments
Unbeknownst to many, untreated DVT can be very dangerous. A patient with DVT needs a vein doctor that'll help them focus their treatment on the growing blood clot.
Generally speaking, there are various treatments available in today's Singaporean market. But to know which of the three treatments we're about to discuss is right for you, you need to visit a vein clinic in Singapore.
Medications
Thanks to modern science, there are now several medications that can help deal with blood clots. These medications thin out the blood of the patient, making it harder for their body to form clots. Additionally, the medication will help maintain clots in their small size.
In other cases, a vein doctor may prescribe thrombolytic drugs. This specific kind of medication helps break up clots and should be taken intravenously. Patients with DVT in their arms can also benefit from this kind of medication.
Filters
For patients who can't take blood-thinning medications, they may have to undergo surgery to put filters inside their large abdominal vein called the Vena Cava.
This specific treatment helps prevent pulmonary embolisms by preventing blood clots from reaching the lungs of a patient. Unfortunately, using filters come with various risks that a patient should discuss with their vein doctor.
If left for too long, the filters themselves can lead to DVT. To ensure its effectiveness, filters must be used for a short time. Once the risks are reduced, patients can now use blood-thinning medications.
Early Prevention is Key
If detected and treated early on, DVT can be cured. Singaporeans would no longer have to worry about the threat blood clots pose to their health. But to find the right treatment, a visit to a vein clinic in Singapore is a must.
Only a vein doctor can assess the severity of a DVT condition and can figure out the right treatment for the patients. There are various other treatments available in Singapore that we didn't discuss. If you want to know more about these treatments, make sure to visit Cheng SC Veins And Endovascular's website!
