What Manhattan Residents Need to Know About Phlebitis

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When your veins aren’t functioning at their best blood clots can occur. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) gets a lot of attention, but it’s not the only type of blood clots out there. Phlebitis, correctly called “thrombophlebitis” is another notable type of blood clots responsible for pain, swelling, inflammation and even infection in your legs. Thrombophlebitis does not carry the life-threatening potential of DVT. However, it is still an indication that something has gone wrong in your veins and is well worth paying attention to.

What should New York City residents know about the symptoms of phlebitis?

The most obvious signal that inflammation is happening in a vein is signs of swelling in the affected area. Because phlebitis is most likely to happen in the leg, people suffering from this problem often experience leg swelling. The area around the affected vein will feel warm to the touch and may be tender or painful. You may notice that the skin around the vein turns red and that there is a firm, tender cord running along the affected vein.

What causes phlebitis and how can you reduce your risk?

Thrombophlebitis occurs when the conditions in a vein make it difficult for blood to circulate properly. Injury is a common cause of this problem, as is irritation that comes from long term intravenous use. People who have varicose veins or spider veins due to abnormalities in venous blood flow often develop phlebitis, but not everyone who has a varicosity also has blood clots. Finally, sitting in the same position for an extended period of time can raise your risk of clots.

Reducing your risk of phlebitis involves taking steps to encourage proper circulation. This is especially important while traveling. Sitting through a long car or plane ride can cause circulation to become less efficient. Making the effort to get up and walk around regularly will help keep blood flowing and reduce the risk of clot formation.

How is phlebitis treated?

If you are suffering from phlebitis there are options to help address the problem. Your first step should be to meet with an experienced vein doctor.  Dr. Lev Khitin will examine the problematic area to gain more information about the nature of the issue. Once he understands the scope of the problem he can recommend treatment.

Appropriately treated phlebitis resolves quickly and without complications. Unlike deep vein thrombosis, the blood clots associated with phlebitis do not break off and do not travel to the lungs with the blood flow. It is very important to evaluate and tread underlying condition responsible for development of thrombophlebitis to prevent future complications.

At New York Vein Treatment Center we understand that any type of clot can be painful and stressful. That’s why our leading vein doctor is committed to providing warm, personal care as your heal from these issues. If you have any questions about phlebitis, or want to learn more about your vein treatment options, give our office a call at (212) 575-8346. We look forward to hearing from you.

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