disease
Definition, causes and symptoms of thrombosis
Experts estimate that about three out of every 1, 000 women suffer from thrombosis every year. A thrombosis is the occlusion of a blood vessel through a blood clot (medical: thrombus). Women are significantly more affected than men. Thrombosis develops mainly in the deep leg and pelvic veins. If left untreated, a pulmonary embolism that can be fatal may be imminent. The main causes of thrombosis are too slow a flow of blood, a wrong blood composition and damage to the vessel wall. For example, prolonged sitting slows blood flow. Or the blood composition is disturbed by medications, such as the pill . Also a violation of the vein wall, for example by a catheter, can promote a thrombosis. Typical of this are pain and swelling in the affected part of the body.
Treatment for thrombosis
In classical therapy, the blood is diluted by medication and the leg is wound. Then a compression stocking must be worn. If thrombosis occurs repeatedly, combination therapy will last a lifetime. In the case of extensive thromboses, which primarily affect the pelvic area, a new procedure can better protect against consequential damage such as open or constantly swollen legs. Under general anesthetic you first inject a means of dissolving the clot. In parallel, a cut is made in the groin and the pelvic vein is freed from the thrombi with a balloon catheter. Meanwhile, the remedy has dissolved the clot enough to flush it out over the groin. If there is still a bottleneck, a medical implant, a so-called stent, can be placed. A stent is a small lattice framework in tube form and made of metal or plastic. It is used in organs to support its wall around it. This surgical lysis procedure can only be performed on a fresh thrombosis, ie within the first ten days.
Prevention and self-help with thrombosis
To prevent thrombosis, avoid standing, lying or sitting for a long time. Smoking and the use of the " anti-baby pill " are also risk factors for thrombosis and should be avoided. Because being overweight is also a higher risk of developing thrombosis, it is important to move enough, for example, to walk or swim and do sports . Also important is adequate hydration. Cold showers and physiotherapy can also prevent thrombosis. After surgery or after delivery, thrombosis support stockings are helpful and important.
