Check out some symptoms of thrombophlebitis and methods for its prevention.
Thrombophlebitis is a serious clinical situation that requires urgent medical treatment, has a long and disabling recovery that can take weeks.
It is very important to actively prevent the onset of thrombophlebitis.
What is thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is the simultaneous development of an inflammation of the inner wall of the veins and the formation of a blood clot there. Venous blood flow is thus compromised or even interrupted.
The most common site of thrombophlebitis is the leg.
But it can also happen in the arm.
Symptoms of Thrombophlebitis
- Intense and rapidly worsening pain within the muscle mass of the limb in question;
- The pain gets worse if the muscles are pressed;
- Sensation of intense heat in the region;
- Signs of redness may appear on the skin.
Treatment of a thrombophlebitis
It is a pharmacological treatment that should be started as early as possible.
This is a medical emergency!
It is absolutely necessary to quickly stop the venous inflammatory process and the formation of clots, treat existing clots and prevent them from moving along the path of venous blood circulation, which can jeopardize life!
If you suspect that you have thrombophlebitis, do not wait or hesitate, go quickly to an emergency medical service.
Predisposing causes for thrombophlebitis
- Having varicose veins or venous insufficiency.
- Take the pill;
- Having smoking habits;
- Do not practice regular physical activity;
- Having high cholesterol or triglycerides;
- Expose the legs to sources of intense heat;
- Having had a venipuncture recently;
- Staying in a sitting position for a long time with dangling legs, without moving, particularly when traveling by car or plane for more than two hours.
Prevent thrombophlebitis.
1. On the go, move!
When traveling by plane, move at least every two hours. Get up and walk down the aisle of the plane lifting your knees and feet to increase muscle work and stimulate venous circulation.
When traveling by car, at least every two hours, stop, get out of the car and go for a walk with vigorous leg movements.
2. At home or at work, get moving!
Do not stay in a standing or sitting position for a long time with your legs dangling, without moving.
Make frequent movements with your legs as if you were walking.
Sitting down, always place your legs on a legrest. Often rotate the tip of the foot slowly, drawing a circle back and forth.
3. Maintain good hydration.
Drink 1.5 liters of water throughout the day, between meals. Dehydration facilitates platelet aggregation and the formation of venous thrombi.
4. Consider taking Horse Chestnut Extract and Pycnogenol
If you have varicose veins or venous insufficiency, if your legs feel heavy or swollen on hot days, keep taking regular medication or phytotherapy to tone the walls of your veins.
In herbal medicine, we recommend taking extracts of Horse Chestnut, especially in hot weather and when traveling, and Pycnogenol, which favors the elasticity of the vessels.
5. Take between 1 and 2 g of Omega 3 daily.
Omega 3 allows your body to better control inflammatory processes, reducing their intensity. Omega 3 prevents platelet aggregation, hindering the formation of venous thrombi.
6. Stay away from heat sources!
Placing your legs too close to fireplaces or heaters is to encourage venous inflammation and seriously risk thrombophlebitis!
7. Eliminate risk factors.
If your lifestyle has some risks for thrombophlebitis, try to eliminate those that are within your power to avoid: don’t smoke, do physical activity, control your weight.
Putting these advices into practice and preventing thrombophlebitis is really worth it!
Anyone who has been through one can say so!
EN 
PT