Deep vein thrombosis is common in America, with over 350,000 Americans diagnosed every year. The severe disease causes blood clots in your deep veins causing pulmonary embolism and possible death. The situation does not always present symptoms. But medical experts like the El Paso deep vein thrombosis specialists can help you catch the disease and manage it before it causes serious issues. Here are several ways you can identify deep vein thrombosis. Have a look.
Monitoring Physical Symptoms
Leg pain and swelling are common with deep vein thrombosis. If you experience such symptoms, you must talk to your doctor to confirm or rule out the condition. The pain usually begins at the calf, and your leg can feel cramped or sore. Also, it is essential to pay attention to other symptoms linked to conditions like pulmonary embolism or other diseases caused by deep vein thrombosis. Talk to your doctor if you experience a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or coughing up blood.
Assess Your Risk Factors
As mentioned earlier, deep vein thrombosis may not cause visible signs. Therefore, you can endure the condition even without knowing it until it causes serious issues. However, if you understand your risk factors, you can remain alert and on the lookout for any slight changes in your health. Also, some people are more likely to suffer from the condition than others. Some common risk factors for deep vein thrombosis include being overweight and obese, elderly, immobile, recently had surgery or was hospitalized, having a family history of blood clots, or hormonal treatments.
Get an Ultrasound
If you suspect or experience symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, it is essential to seek an expert diagnosis. Your doctor can order tests like ultrasounds to evaluate blood flow in your veins. The imaging technique utilizes sound waves to capture images of your veins. It is the most common test for deep vein thrombosis, and it provides real-time images of your inner veins and organs, which can indicate the severity of the condition and guide your doctor on the best potential course of treatment.
Your doctor can also recommend duplex ultrasonography, similar to a regular ultrasound but offers more accurate information about your blood flow and speed. It can also monitor the movement of other internal fluids and objects.
Consider a D-dimer Blood Test
Your doctor can recommend a d-dimer test to examine your blood for small pieces of broken blood clots. They will collect your blood sample for examination, and if they detect many particles, your likelihood of having deep vein thrombosis is greater.
Consider a Contrast Venography Test
This involves your doctor injecting a dye into a large vein in your ankle or foot, then taking an x-ray or several x-rays. The paint helps the x-ray images show how your veins have been transmitting blood throughout the body. The dye will be concentrated in the areas where the clot is present, or the veins are blocked.
Deep vein thrombosis is serious but treatable. The treatment cause becomes straightforward with an accurate diagnosis. Get in touch with the deep vein thrombosis specialists at i-Vascular Center if you experience or suspect you are enduring the condition. The diagnosis will determine the correct course of your treatment.
