Blood Clotting

What is Blood Clotting?

Blood clotting occurs when there is a blockage in the arteries or veins obstructing the flow of blood through the body. Normally, blood flows towards the heart via the veins; from there the heart pumps blood to the lungs where it is oxygenated, and then oxygen-rich blood flows through the arteries back to the various parts of the body.

Varicose Vein Symptoms

One condition that can potentially lead to blood clotting is varicose veins. In a healthy state, veins carry blood toward the heart via a one-way valve. However if these valves are somehow damaged or weakened, blood backs up and 'floods' the veins, causing them to swell. This gives rise to discomfort, throbbing, or pain, and can sometimes result in more serious complications such dermatitis (an itchy rash), skin ulcers, and blood clots.

Varicose Veins and Blood Clots

There are two types of blood clots that varicose veins can cause:

•1) Superficial Thrombophlebitis (or Superficial Vein Thrombosis) (SVT): A blood clot in a vein just below the skin surface. May be asymptomatic, or symptoms include swelling, pain, red skin, tender or firm warm vein.

•2) Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deeper vein, typically in the leg or calf. May be asymptomatic, or symptoms can include swelling, pain, redness, warmth and/or tenderness in the leg, edema, a 'pulling' sensation.

Prevention

Although varicose veins/blood clots are hereditary, they can be prevented by a number of proactive steps:

•- Regular exercise in order to increase blood circulation and to strengthen tissues surrounding the veins

•- Wearing support stockings, also known as compression stockings, offer support in cases of superficial vein thrombosis

•- Changing positions often (once an hour is recommended), i.e., from sitting to standing to crossing your legs.

Medical Help for Varicose Veins and Blood Clots

Here are some special types of doctors/procedures for treating varicose veins and blood clots:

•- Vascular medicine practitioner, who specializes in the blood system

•- Vascular surgeon, who performs surgery for blood-related conditions

•- Phlebologist, who is a vein specialist

•- Dermatologist, whose specialty is the skin

•- Interventional radiologist, who uses imaging tools to see inside the body and provides treatment without (or with little) cutting

•- Doppler Ultrasound, a procedure to check blood flow in the veins and to identify blood clots via the use of sound waves that are converted by a computer into pictures on a screen