Thrombophlebitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

'Thrombo' means blood clot and 'Phlebitis' implies inflammation of vein, thus thrombophlebitis refers to the inflammation of vein, due to presence of a blood clot. These clots usually affect the veins in legs, but can also affect veins in arms and neck. Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) are the two types of thrombophlebitis.

Superficial Vein Thrombosis: SVT clots are formed in the veins near the skin. These clots are not harmful, but do cause pain. The clots break gradually as they flow with the blood, but they may be a symptom of the presence of deep vein thrombosis, in some other part of the body.
Deep Vein Thrombosis: These clots are formed in the veins that are deep and are implanted in muscles. Normally, these clots are formed in the lower part of the leg or abdomen. DVT is harmful, as it may lead to permanent damage of the vein.

Causes of Thrombophlebitis

Formation of blood clot is the chief reason of thrombophlebitis. Given below, is the list of risk factors that may lead to blood clot formation.

• Any injury to the vein may lead to the formation of a blood clot.
• Use of birth control pills
• Surgery, after which the patient may be required to take bed rest for a long period.
• Smoking
• Diabetes (type 2)
• Sitting in the same position for a very long time.
• Deficiency in the blood, which prevents the normal dissolution of the clot (like deficiency of vitamin B-12).

Symptoms of Thrombophlebitis

The symptoms depend on the type of thrombophlebitis. Given below is the list of common symptoms of SVT and DVT.

• Skin color of the affected part becomes red.
• Pain and swelling in the affected region.
• Burning sensation, tenderness and warmth.

Specific Symptoms of SVT

• Hard, inflamed veins below the skin that are visible to the naked eye.

Embolism is blockage of blood vessel. In DVT, the blood clot may travel to other parts of the body (like heart, lungs, etc.) and cause embolism. Thus, a person suffering from DVT may show the following symptoms:

• Increased heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Diagnosis of Thrombophlebitis

Physical examination and medical history are part of the first stage of diagnosis of thrombophlebitis. The physician may perform following tests to confirm its diagnosis.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): It gives a 3-dimensional image of the affected area and reveals the presence of the clot. A MRI scan is usually not preferred for thrombophlebitis, as the test is too costly.
Venography: Before taking an X-ray, a dye-like substance is injected into a vein in the affected area. This helps to know the shape of the vein and whether a blood clot is present.
Ultrasound: Sound waves are passed through the affected area, which gives an image on the screen, verifying the presence of a blood clot.
Blood Test: This test is done to check the deficiency of any clot-dissolving element in the blood. It is rarely used for diagnosis of thrombophlebitis, because the deficiency may be a result of some other reason also.

Treatment for Thrombophlebitis

The treatment for thrombophlebitis depends on the type and the region where the phlebitis is present. SVT clots can be cured by treating the affected area externally. DVT needs an urgent treatment, to avoid embolism. Treatment for SVT aims at reducing the symptoms and avoiding the chances of suffering from DVT. Medications like anti-coagulants help in preventing enlargement of the clots. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and pain killers are some other medications used. Bandaging and elevating the affected area can sometimes prove useful to treat SVT. Clot blusters are used for treating DVT. They help in dissolving the blood clot. In case of any infection, antibiotics are used. Support stockings are used to reduce the discomfort. Surgical removal of the blood clot or the affected vein may be done, in cases that are severely affected by thrombophlebitis.

To prevent thrombophlebitis, avoid prolonged sitting in a place, do not wear tight clothes below waist and quit smoking. Regular exercise can also help to prevent thrombophlebitis, as it encourages good blood circulation and builds strong muscles.