71. Phlebitis: How to Get Back on Your Feet
When former President Richard Nixon suffered a severe case of phlebitis, it made newspaper headlines. The medical term for his condition is thrombophlebitis: A blood clot forms (thrombosis) and a vein becomes inflamed (phlebitis). Phlebitis is usually caused by infection, injury, or poor blood flow in a vein. It is more common in women over the age of 50.
Superficial phlebitis (SP) occurs just under the skin’s surface. The affected area is swollen and feels warm, hard, and tender to the touch. This type seldom showers clots into the bloodstream. It can usually be treated at home.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) requires hospitalization and treatment with blood-thinning medication to prevent a blood clot from forming. If a blood clot breaks away from the wall of a vein (forming an embolism), it can interfere with the circulation to the limb, or cause death if it reaches the heart or lung. The only symptom may be an aching pain in the limb, but half of persons with DVT have no symptoms. It often develops after prolonged bed rest or major surgery.
Other conditions that can lead to SP and/or DVT include:
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•Inactivity (from a sedentary job), a long trip, especially in a cramped space (example: economy class section on a plane).
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•Heart failure or heart attack.
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•Being overweight, in poor physical condition, or older aged.
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•Trauma to an arm or leg (from a blow or fall).
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•Injury to the vein (from injections or intravenous needles).
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•Some cancers.
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•Varicose veins, pregnancy, or estrogen therapy.
Only a doctor can tell the difference between SP with or without DVT and DVT alone. If you’re diagnosed as having SP without DVT, you’ll probably be told to:
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•Rest the affected limb and elevate it above the level of your heart until the pain and swelling subside.
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•Use aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.
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•Avoid bed rest.
To prevent SP and DVT:
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•Avoid prolonged periods of uninterrupted sitting or standing.
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•Don’t sit with your legs crossed.
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•Avoid wearing garments that are tight-fitting below the waist, such as garters and knee-high hose. These restrict blood flow.
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•Wear properly fitting elastic compression stockings for the legs, to help blood flow.
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•If you’re confined to bed, try this: With your feet against a pillow, pretend you’re pressing on a gas pedal and then releasing it. Alternate with one foot, then the other.
