Thrombophlebitis

     



   

Symptoms

Superficial thrombophlebitis signs and symptoms include:
  • Warmth, tenderness and pain in the affected area
  • Redness and swelling
Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms include:
  • Pain
  • Swelling

Causes

The cause of thrombophlebitis is a blood clot, which can form in your blood as a result of:
  • An injury to a vein
  • An inherited blood-clotting disorder
  • Being immobile for long periods, such as during an injury or a hospital stay

Risk factors

Your risk of thrombophlebitis increases if you:
  • Are inactive for a prolonged period, either because you're confined to bed or are traveling in a car or plane for a long period
  • Have varicose veins, which are a common cause of superficial thrombophlebitis
  • Have a pacemaker or have a thin, flexible tube (catheter) in a central vein, for treatment of a medical condition, which may irritate the blood vessel wall and decrease blood flow
  • Are pregnant or have just given birth
  • Use birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, which can make your blood more likely to clot
  • Have a family history of a blood-clotting disorder or a tendency to form blood clots
  • Have had previous episodes of thrombophlebitis
  • Have had a stroke
  • Are older than 60
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have cancer
  • Smoke
If you have one or more risk factors, discuss prevention strategies with your doctor before taking long flights or road trips or if you're planning to have elective surgery, recovery from which will require you not to move much.

Complications


Complications from superficial thrombophlebitis are rare. However, if you develop DVT, the risk of serious complications increases. Complications might include:
  • Pulmonary embolism. If part of a deep vein clot becomes dislodged, it can travel to your lungs, where it can block an artery (embolism) and become potentially life-threatening.
  • Post-phlebetic syndrome. This condition, also known as post-thrombotic syndrome, can develop months or even years after you've had DVT. Post-phlebetic syndrome can cause lasting and possibly disabling pain, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the affected leg.





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