Deep Vein Thrombosis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Conditions

by Kenneth Kee

Overview

Deep Vein Thrombosis

I had a patient who arrived from England 5 years ago to visit her relatives.

She had breathing difficulty and chest tightness when the plane reached the Singapore airport and was rushed to see the airport’s private clinic doctor.

However she had an ECG done and was treated as a case of mild asthma and given some medicine.

Because she did not improve and her leg started to hurt, her relative brought her to see me 2 days later.

On examination I could see a painful red warm swelling on the lower right leg together with some varicose veins.

Her lungs were congested with lower air entry on the right lung.

Her blood pressure was normal but her heart rate was 98 per minute.

I suspected deep vein thrombosis based on her history of an airplane travel stasis and the swollen painful right leg.

Based on her ECG at the airport clinic, I did not think that she had a heart attack

I immediately gave her an intravenous injection of heparin together with aminophylline (a bronchodilator).

She seems to improve immediately after the injection.

The breathing was better and there was less chest tightness.

As she was reluctant to go for a venogram or to hospital, I did not want to use warfarin.

Instead I gave buffered aspirin (as an anticoagulant) and gave her a pressure stocking to wear on her leg which should be kept raised while sitting and sleeping.

She was also given a muscle relaxant together with paracetamol (a painkiller) which should help to her to sleep better.

She was told to return for review the next day.

The next day when she returned she was feeling better.

The breathing was better and the heart rate was back to 76 per minute.

She also had a good night sleep and her leg was less swollen and not so inflamed.

By the end of the second week she was much better and returned to England where she was advised to see her GP who then referred her to a UK hospital where her DVT was confirmed.

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein leading to the heart, usually in the legs.

The blood clot may either block the vein completely or partially.

It is more common in the elderly and the obese.

Women are more prone to it.

DVT does not cause heart attack or stroke.

What is the danger of DVT?

Clots can form in superficial veins (called superficial thrombophlebitis or phlebitis) and in deep veins due to poor blood flow or stasis.

Blood clots in superficial veins rarely cause serious problems.

Blood clots in deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) require immediate medical care.

These clots are dangerous because they can break loose and then travel through the bloodstream to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism.

A pulmonary embolism is often life-threatening.

Deaths resulting from complications of DVT are not something new.

Blood clots most often develop in the calf and thigh veins, and less often in the arm veins or pelvic veins.

What causes deep vein thrombosis?

3 major factors play a part in the development of DVT.

1. Venous stasis i.e. the pooling of blood in the veins.

This may be the result of immobility, old age or heart failure.

2. Damage of the vein due to trauma or local pressure.

Surgery or an injury can damage your blood vessels and cause a clot to form.

3. Increased coagulability (tendency of blood to clot) of the blood which is sometimes seen in:

a. Clotting disorders,

b. Pregnancy,

c. The use of oral contraceptives,

d. Dehydration or

e. Some cancers.

Sitting for long periods without exercising your leg muscles is a main factor.

Passengers in first or economy class seats in a plane have been known to develop DVT.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940152364484
Publisher:	Kenneth Kee
Publication date:	09/20/2015
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	138,047
File size:	136 KB

About the Author

Medical doctor since 1972. Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009. Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993. Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 65. However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. He first started writing free blogs on medical conditions seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com. His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiolographical account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.com. This autobiolographical account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com. From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 550 amazon kindle books and some into Smashwords.com eBooks. He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books. He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures. Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple. For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients. The later books go into more details of medical conditions. The first chapter of all my ebooks is always taken from my blog A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions which was started in 2007 as a simple educational help to my patients on my first blog http://kennethkee.blogspot.com. The medical condition was described simply and direct to the point. Because the simple guide as taken from the blog was described as too simple, I have increased the other chapters to include more detailed description of the illness, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. As a result there are the complaints by some readers of constant repetitions of the same contents but in detail and fairly up to date. He has published 550 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter. The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health conditions and not meant as textbooks. He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke. His clinic is now relocated to the Bouna Vista Community Centre. The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall. He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) starting with the Apple computer and going to PC. All the PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core. The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive. He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance. His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner. The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned. This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale. Dr Kee is the author of: "A Family Doctor's Tale" "Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine" "Case Notes From A Family Doctor" “The Amazing Story of the Cold Sore Virus” “Of Bed Bugs, Lice And Scabies! Skin Infections” “A Simple Guide to Sexual Health” “A Simple Guide To Cancer” “A Simple Guide to Skin Polyp and Other Polyps” “A Simple Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases” “A Simple Guide To Stroke” “A Simple Guide to Women's Health” “A Simple Guide to Men's Health” “A Simple Guide to AutoImmune Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Alternative Therapy” “A Simple Guide to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia” “A Simple Guide to Hypertension and Heart Diseases” “A Simple Guide To Liver Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus” “A Simple Guide to Skin Fungal Infections” “A Simple Guide to Hemorrhoids and Anal Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Genetic Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Health” “A Simple Guide to Kidney Stones and Kidney Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Asthma and Lung Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Allergies” “A Simple Guide to Eating Disorders” “A Simple Guide to Thyroid Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Sleep Disorders” “A Simple Guide to Bad Breath and Mouth Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Depression and Bipolar Disorders” “A Simple Guide to Hair Loss and Hair Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Anger, Anxiety, Stress and Panic Attacks” “A Simple Guide to Tenosynovitis Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Knee Arthritis and Other Knee Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Planter Fascilitis and Heel Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Malaria and Mosquito Bthene Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Blindness and Related Eye Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Stye and Related Eyelid Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Gastritis and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Myopia and Refractive Diseases” “GUIDE TO BETTER SEX AND LOVE” “A Simple Guide to Laryngitis and Vocal Cord Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Pharyngitis and Throat Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Back Pain and Other Spine Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Shoulder Pain and Other Shoulder Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Deafness and Related Ear Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Childhood Infectious Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Celiac Disease and Malabsorption Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Water Borne Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colon Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Parathyroid Disease and Calcium” “A Simple Guide to Electrolyte Imbalance Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Parkinson's Disease and Brain Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Neuralgia and Related Nerve Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Prostate Diseases” “How To Study Wisely For Tests And Examinations” “A Simple Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Asthenia” “A Simple Guide to Dizziness and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Obesity and Weight Loss” “A Simple Guide to Headache and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Gallstones and Gallbladder Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Hernia and Testis Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Vasomotor Rhinitis and Nose diseases” “A Simple Guide to Aging and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Hand Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Neck Pain and Cervical Spondylosis” “A Simple Guide to Autism, Dyslexia and ADHD” “A Simple Guide to Warts, Calluses and Corns” “A Simple Guide to Schizophrenia and Other Mental Disorders” “A Simple Guide to Acne vulgaris And Acne Rosacea” “A Simple Guide to Skin Injuries, Cuts and Burns” “A Simple Guide to Skin Infections, Impetigo and Other Infections” “A Simple Guide to Skin Urticaria and Erythema diseases” “A Simple Guide to Travel Medicine” “A Simple Guide to Peripheral Blood Vessel Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Skin Bleeding Diseases and Photosensitivity Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Papulosquamous Skin Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromuscular Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Rheumatic Fever, Glomerulonephritis and Nephrotic Syndrome” “A Simple Guide to Heat Stroke and Related Skin Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Tuberculosis and Dangerous Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Fibromyalgia and Other Systemic Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Conjunctivitis and other Eye Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Alcoholism, Pancreatitis and Liver Cirrhosis” “A Simple Guide to Osteoporosis and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Spinal Stenosis and Pinched Nerve” “A Simple Guide to Vitiligo and Pigmentation of the Skin” “A Simple Guide to Osteomyelitis and Related diseases” “A Simple Guide to Cushing's Syndrome and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Earlobe Infections and.other earlobe Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Facial Palsy and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Colic, Breastfeeding and Infant Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Cosmetic Surgery and Associated Procedures” “A Simple Guide to Edema and Causative Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Molluscum Contagiosum and Related Skin Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Toothache and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Hallux Valgus (bunion) and forefoot Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Uterine Fibroid and Related Uterine Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Tinnitus and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Muscle Dystrophy Disease and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Typhoid Fever and Other Bacterial Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Fever, Reye's Syndrome and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Sleeping Sickness and Other Parasitic Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Physiotherapy and Related Therapies” “A Simple Guide to Tooth Discoloration and Related Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Appendicitis and Causative Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Snoring and Causative Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Mycoplasma and Lung Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Healthy Eating and Healthy Diets” “A Simple Guide to Green Earth and Saving the Environment” “A Simple Guide to Pain and Its Management” “A Simple Guide to Happiness and Contentment” “A Simple Guide to Sarcopenia and Related Aging Diseases” “A Pictoral Trip to Italy 2007 “The Story of the Time Travel Watch” “Womb Gloom! The Story of A Cancer Survivor” “A Simple Guide to Insect Bites and Their Management” “A Simple Guide to Night Blindness and Causative Diseases” “A Simple Guide to the Breast and its Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Disorders” “A Simple Guide to Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Diseases” “A Simple Guide to The Tongue, Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Nail, Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Gait, Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Posture, Spine Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Face, Their Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to Intestinal Parasitic Diseases “ “A Simple Guide to The Neck, Their Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Urinary System, Their Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to The Wounds and wound Healing”. “A Simple Guide to Heart Beats, Their Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” 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Related Diseases and Use in Disease Diagnosis” “A Simple Guide to Heart Valve Diseases” “A Simple Guide to Congenital Heart Diseases” “Life and Death of a Red Blood Cell (Red Bull)” “Life and Death of a Sperm (Speedy Gonzales)” “Life and Death of an Ovum (Lazy Lucy)” “Life and Death of a Lymphocyte (Immune Man)” “Life and Death of a Cancer Cell (Mutant)” “Life and Death of a Nerve Cell (Motor Man)” “Life and Death of a Skeletal Muscle Cell (Muscle Man)” “Life and Death of a Heart Muscle Cell (Heart Man)” “Life and Death of a Smooth Muscle Cell (Smooth Man)” “Life and Death of a Hair Follicle Cell (Hairy Man)” “Life and Death of a Liver Cell (Liver Man)” “Life and Death of a Bone Cell (Bone Man)” “Life and Death of a Nail (Nail Man)” “Life and Death of a Macrophage (Macrophage)” “Life and Death of a Skin Cell (Skin Man)” “Life and Death of a Pancreatic Islet Cell (Insulin Man)” “Life and Death of a Pancreatic Duct Cell (Pancreas Man)” “Life and Death of a Pituitary Gland Cell (Pituitary Man)” “Life and Death of a Thymus Gland Cell (Thymus Man)” “Life and Death of an Adrenal Gland Cell (Adrenaline Man)” “Life and Death of a Parathyroid Gland Cell (Calcium Man)” “Life and Death of a Thyroid Gland Cell (Energy Man)” “Life and Death of a Testis Gland Cell (Virile Man)” “Life and Death of a Ovary Gland Cell (Fertile Female)” “A Simple Guide to Digestion of Food in the Stomach” “A Simple Guide to Digestion of Food in the Intestines” “A Simple Guide to Digestion of Food in the Mouth and Gullet” “A Simple Guide to SARS and Related Influenza Epidemics” “A Simple Guide to Urinary Excretion and Kidney Function” “A Simple Guide to Male Reproductive System” “A Simple Guide to Female Reproductive System” “A Simple Guide to Larynx and Its Function” “A Simple Guide to The Lungs and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Ear and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Eye and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Nose and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Tongue and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Spleen and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Breast and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Platelets and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Pineal Body and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Skin and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Salivary Glands and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Lips and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Brain and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Hairs and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Gallbladder and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Heart and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Spinal Cord and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Vagina and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Penis and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Nail and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Bone and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Knee and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Shoulder and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Hip and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Ankle and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Elbow and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Wrist and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Hand and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Foot and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Thyroid and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Parathyroid and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Thymus and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Testis and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Ovary and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Nerve and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Muscle and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Heart Muscle and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Smooth Muscle and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Liver and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Pancreas and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The White Blood Cell and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Jaw and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Finger and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to The Toe and Its Functions” “A Simple Guide to My Poems and Stories about the Human body” “A Simple Guide to the Healthy Lifestyle Part 1 DIET” “A Simple Guide to the Healthy Lifestyle Part 2 EXERCISE” “A Simple Guide to the Healthy Lifestyle Part 3 RELAXATION” “A Simple Guide to the Healthy Lifestyle Part 4 790 Health Tips” “A Simple Guide to the Cancer Survivor and Anti-cancer Tips” “A Simple Guide to the Occupational Cancers and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Chemical Poisoning and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Skin Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Eye and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Ear Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Anemia and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Heat Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related PTSDs and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Infections and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Lung Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Muscle & Skeletal Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Nose Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Liver Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Thyroid Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Bladder Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Blood Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Work Related Compressed Air Diseases and Prevention” “A Simple Guide to the Restless Legs Syndrome and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Self Esteeem and Related Conditions” “After a Head Injury and Related Conditions” “After a Stroke, Recovery and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Sexual Abuse and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Systemic Sclerosis and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Human Growth Hormones and Related Hormones” “A Simple Guide to Chronic Pain, Treatment and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Sprains and strains, Treatment and Related Conditions” “A Simple Guide to Knee Injuries, Treatment and Related Conditions” “Guide to Doctors, Medical Ethics and Medical Trivia” “The Case of the Missing Parents”