Thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities: symptoms, photos and treatment

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Thrombophlebitis is a serious disease that affects people of all social strata, of different age groups, men and women. The pathological disease is directly related to the inflammation of the walls of large veins and tissues near them and the further occurrence of a thrombus in this area. It is very important to recognize thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities in time - symptoms( photo) and treatment are well known to modern medicine.

Circumstances influencing the formation of blood clots

The causes of thrombi in the circulatory system can be divided into external circumstances and processes occurring insidehuman body.

External factors include:

• trauma to the vein and adjacent tissues;
• heavy physical labor, long stay in standing position;
• excess weight;
• infectious diseases.

Internal processes that provoke thrombophlebitis:

• frequent pregnancies and taking hormonal medications;
• genetic predisposition;
• lack of vitamins and minerals;
• increase in blood density and slow progression of the blood vessels.

In most cases, thrombophlebitis chooses the region of the thighs, ankles or the calf for its localization.

Types of thrombophlebitis of lower extremities

The disease takes different forms, has a different duration and character of leakage.

With the course and severity of the disease, there are:

1. Acute thrombophlebitis. The disease occurs suddenly and lasts about 30 days.
2. Subacute. Symptoms bother the patient for up to 6 months.
3. Chronic thrombophlebitis. Symptoms are manifested under the influence of external or internal factors.
4. Migratory. With this form, the patient periodically exhibits signs of thrombophlebitis in different locations.

At the location of the vessels:

• external thrombophlebitis;
• deep venous thrombophlebitis.

Symptoms of the disease

The symptomatology of this disease is very extensive, depending on which leg section is affected. There are symptoms of the external and deep veins of the lower extremities. Common signs of this disease with exacerbation are:

• the patient's temperature rises to 38 degrees, the general condition worsens;
• stinging pain in the area of ​​thrombus occurrence;
• changes in the size of the lymph nodes.

Symptoms of the external form of thrombophlebitis

The disease of the superficial veins of the lower limbs most often arises as a consequence of leg varicose. This type is more common in the lower part of the thigh or on the lower leg.

Suspicion of surface infection should occur in the following cases:

1. The shape of the nodule or the nodule chain is clearly visible on the leg. When the limb is transferred to the horizontal plane, the nodes do not disappear, which is the first sign of blood clots in the blood vessels.
2. Edema and redness of the skin in the area of ​​the affected vein. Painful palpation.
3. When walking, there is discomfort.

If the lesion of closely related veins is not associated with varicose veins, but occurs against the background of the infection, a number of other signs are added:

• pains spread throughout the vein;
• well visible contours of the entire vessel;
• reticular veins appear on the skin of the legs.

The disease lasts from 10 days to a month.

Signs of affection of deep vessels

With thrombophlebitis of vessels located in deep layers of muscle tissues, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

• sudden rise in body temperature to 40 degrees;
• is a very violent, bursting pain in the affected limb, which becomes less intense when the leg is placed in a horizontal position;
• swelling of the legs is noticeable even without palpation;
• skin on the affected limb changes color and tone. As a rule, stretched skin gets unhealthy shine, the color varies from white to bluish;
• the diseased limb becomes colder than healthy.

The duration of the disease is from 10 days to several months.

Diagnosis of the disease

In case of incomprehensible formations in the legs, it is necessary to contact the medical institution for clarification of the diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment. In addition to visual examination, the doctor additionally appoints procedures and laboratory tests to determine the extent of the lesion and the location of the thrombus. Despite the large number of patients with thrombophlebitis, there is often a question which doctor treats this disease. Until recently this was the prerogative of surgeons, but now they are singling out narrow specialists - surgeons-phlebologists.

Methods of diagnosis:

1. Laboratory blood test. Check the composition and speed of blood clotting.
2. ultrasound of the circulatory system. Doppler methods and duplex vascular scanning are used.
3. Contrast X-ray studies, computed tomography.
4. Thermography and radioisotope studies.

Warning! The disease manifests itself unexpectedly. Postponing treatment for later can lead to very serious consequences.

Consequences of thrombophlebitis

Than the thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities is dangerous? Symptoms of the disease, especially in severe form, require treatment. If you do not pay attention to this problem, there can be very unpleasant consequences:

• , a separation of the blood clot in the vessel can lead to disability or death of the patient;
• blood poisoning and the formation of non-healing ulcers on the skin;
• atrophy of muscle and bone tissue.

Medical treatment methods

More than half of thrombophlebitis-affected legs are successfully treated for this disease on an outpatient basis. Inpatient treatment is indicated for severe inflammation of veins and related tissues, and for diagnosing ascending thrombophlebitis spreading into the inguinal zone. The final variant of therapy should be appointed by the attending physician.

At the initial stage of the disease, an excellent result is treated at home and conservative therapy aimed at eliminating inflammation. At this stage, recommended massage, the use of special pulling linen, compression bandages.

The medicamental treatment of thrombophlebitis of the legs is prescribed by a physician. The most commonly used are the following:

1. Tablets for improving the patency of blood in the vessels-Trental. In addition, they interfere with the further formation of clots in the veins.
2. Drugs designed to stop inflammation, reduce swelling and intensity of pain - Diclofenac, Ketoprofen.
3. When diagnosing acute thrombophlebitis, appoint a medicine with heparin, Troquesvazine or Vishnevsky ointment. Efficiently relieve the condition of the patient compresses from these funds.

In advanced cases, when sepsis begins in the internal veins, trophic ulcers appear on the skin, antibiotics are prescribed. In the treatment of such patients, penicillin-based drugs, Augmentin, and tetracycline are used. In this form, thrombophlebitis is often accompanied by a corpuscle of the internal veins and external skin and the patient is prescribed intramuscular injections or droppers with antimicrobials.

Warning! All medicines and recommendations are prescribed by a doctor. Do not use the advice of friends, the medicine that helped them may be ineffective or dangerous to you.

Operative solution of the

problem The operation can be prescribed in the following cases:

• ascending thrombophlebitis, which is fraught with a clot break in the area of ​​the inguinal vein and can be fatal;
• found a threat of pulmonary embolism;
• increased suppuration of blood vessels;
• in case of a clot laceration, an emergency operation is prescribed.

Operative intervention is performed under local anesthesia, tissue is excised minimally. The main types of operations for thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities:

• , inside the vein, are installed special filters that do not allow blood clots to move further;
• dissection of the thrombus inside the vessel by means of a catheter, which is inserted through a small incision;
• reduction of the lumen of the vein by the method of insertion or a special clip.

Operation is contraindicated in pregnancy, heart disease and severe form of varicose veins.

Alternative treatment of thrombophlebitis

In addition to the medical and surgical way to get rid of this disease, folk methods of treating thrombophlebitis do not lose their popularity. Used in this case, vegetable raw materials and products of animal origin do not affect the human body as much as synthetic preparations.

Beekeeping products

Very good result to relieve the symptoms of the manifestation of thrombophlebitis shows the products of beekeeping:

• on a clean cloth or bandage put several spoons of honey and apply to the harassing leg patch. Instead of tissue, you can use a leaf of cabbage;
• 10 grams of ground propolis is mixed with 35 grams of butter, heated for a quarter of an hour. The obtained substance lubricates the affected area when painful sensations occur;
• a handful of dead and dried bees is poured with 500 ml of vodka or medical alcohol. The vessel with the bees should be left in a dark place for 10 days, filtered and applied as a lotion;
• to ease the painful syndrome of live bees is applied to the leg and waiting until they sting.

Goose fat

Perfectly suited to fight goose fat vessel diseases. It can be used in pure form or in combination with medicinal plants. For example, 2 tablespoons of grinded comfrey leaves are mixed with 100 grams of fresh overblended goose fat and heated on low heat for 10-15 minutes. The resulting mass is stored in the refrigerator and applied to the skin as needed.

Hirudotherapy

With exacerbation of thrombophlebitis, hirudotherapy is very effective. It is prescribed to people who do not tolerate medications that reduce the density of blood. How to treat thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities in this way?

In the role of a doctor under hirudotherapy, leeches appear. Before the procedure, the skin of the feet is cleaned without detergents, greased with a sweet solution and put the leeches in staggered order. Leeches give off a special enzyme in the blood, which makes the blood liquid and prevents the formation of blood clots. The procedure is almost painless, although not very aesthetic.

Important! In non-traditional medicine, in addition to local effects on the vessels, the internal effect on the body is also used. For this tea and infusions are irreplaceable.

Hop drizzle

30 grams of hop cones are crushed in a mortar, pour a glass of burning water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes. After that, wrap and leave for an hour. A strained broth is taken in a 20-day course of 100 ml twice a day.

Horse chestnut

Tinctures are prepared from all parts of the plant.

1. For this, 50 grams of ground raw material is poured with 0.5 liters of alcohol.
2. Close the vessel and put it in a dark place for 2 weeks.
3. The container is shaken twice a day.
4. Within a month, take 30 drops of tincture before eating.

Freshly squeezed juice of horse chestnut flowers take thrice 20 drops a day.

Warning! All means of alternative medicine can provoke an allergic reaction. Be sure to consult a doctor.

Preventative measures

Prevention is necessary to prevent the formation of blood clots in the system of vessels of the lower limbs. To do this, try to observe the following recommendations:

• nutrition should be organized based on the recommendations of the doctor;
• rejection of bad habits, alcohol and tobacco;
• contrasting daily water procedures of the lower limbs;
• moderate physical activity and daily exercise;
• wearing compression linen or elastic bandages.

Nutritional regimen with thrombophlebitis

A special diet prescribed for vascular foot diseases is needed to strengthen the venous walls and prevent blood clots. It is not recommended to eat meat products, preserves and marinades, salted and smoked foods, caffeinated drinks.

Products, the consumption of which prevents vascular diseases:

• products rich in iodine - sea kaputa, fish;
• fresh yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese;
• seasonal fruits, berries and vegetables;
• cereal cereals and dried fruits.

Also for dilution of blood it is very useful to drink every day 2000 ml of liquid. Preference should be given to purified water without gas.

Complex of exercises recommended for thrombophlebitis

Patients suffering from vascular diseases of the lower extremities should lead a moderately active lifestyle. It so happened that many have sedentary work, the way home goes in personal or public transport. To prevent stagnation of blood in the vessels, it is recommended to perform at least a few exercises daily. We give the most affordable.

1. Lie on a rug or blanket on the floor, relax your hands near the torso. Alternately, try to reach the face with your knees.
2. In the same position, lift your straightened legs. The exercise can be performed with two legs or one at a time.
3. Running and jumping in place, everyone's familiar bike is also very effective.

The list of exercises that can be performed to disperse blood is very large. Choose those that will not cause difficulties in performance.

Attention! With the threat of an open thrombus, any physical exertion, even minor ones, is contraindicated.

Thrombophlebitis is very common among all segments of the population. Very often, this disease affects the vessels of the legs. The disease occurs in different forms, with the running version may have a lethal outcome. Timely treatment in the hospital, adherence to the doctor's recommendations and a healthy lifestyle can not only stop the process, but also prevent the formation of new foci.