Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which blood clots are formed in deep veins of the legs. This condition is caused due to various factors and the main one is due to immobility. When deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms are left unnoticed, it leads to a life-threatening situation called pulmonary embolism.

Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

Based on the deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms, your doctor will conduct a physical examination to check inflammation, discoloration, and the presence of clots. Here are a few tests to diagnose deep vein thrombosis.

• Ultrasound
  Ultrasound images of the affected area are captured with sound waves that are passed through a wandlike device called a transducer. These captured images show the presence of clots with the details of its size and position. Multiple ultrasounds are performed for a few days or weeks to monitor the growth of blood clots.
• Blood test
  A blood test is done to check the level of D dimer. D dimer levels are usually high in patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis.
• Venography
  When ultrasound images are unclear venography is performed. In this procedure, the large vein of the foot or ankle is injected with a dye. An X-ray image of the veins in the ankle or foot is captured to look for the presence of clots.
• CT or MRI scan
  Detailed images of the affected area are captured to look for the presence of clots. High energy X-ray beams are passed through the affected area to capture pictures.

Complications of deep vein thrombosis

Pulmonary embolism is a severe condition caused because of the ignorance of deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms. Pulmonary embolism occurs when the blood clot in the deep veins break loose and travel to the lungs. This puts the patient’s life into danger and the patient needs immediate medical attention. Here are a few signs that indicate pulmonary embolism.

• Severe sweating
• Giddiness
• Continuous coughing with severe chest pain
• Experiencing severe pain during deep breaths
• Coughing up blood
• Fast heartbeat

Treatments for pulmonary embolism

The treatment of pulmonary embolism depends on the severity of the condition. It can be treated through medication and surgery. Medicines that treat pulmonary embolism include:

Blood thinners
Blood thinners called anticoagulants are given to avoid the formation of blood clots.

Thrombolytics
These are clot-dissolving drugs that are used as a last option to save lives.

Surgery is done to eradicate blood clots that block blood flow to the heart or lungs. Some of the surgical procedures to cure pulmonary embolism are:

Vein filter
A small incision is made to install a minute filter into the inferior vena cava to block the blood clots from reaching the lungs. Vena cava is the main vein that travels from the legs to the lungs.

Open surgery
This surgical treatment is performed when the doctor is left with no other option to save the patient’s life. This complicated procedure is done only in cases where medications and other simple surgeries do not work.