Clot attacks can take the life out of you

Hyderabad: Acute deep vein thrombosis, for which former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is undergoing treatment, is a dangerous condition which requires urgent medical help as it can become life threatening if the clot attacks the lungs.

 

The problem with DVT is that it is asymptomatic and often even general practitioners are not able to identify it. Dr Devender Singh, senior vascular surgeon at Yashoda Hospitals, said, “There are no noticeable symptoms. Patients experience swelling, redness and pain in the lower limb which later reaches the thigh. If the swelling persists without any fever, a specialist must be approached to get it diagnosed. This is because the clots can enter the main vein and attack lung and heart, leading to death.”

 

Death has been seen in 10 per cent cases of those who suffer from DVT in the clinical set-ups after major surgeries. But in those where the patient fails to reach the hospitals the number is too difficult to guess.

 

Dr R. Raghu, vascular surgeon said, “DVT cases were seen in the elderly if they sat for long, had undergone major operations or whose movement was restricted. Now, DVT is also being identified in young patients as they are sitting for long hours at their work stations. Another category is obese and overweight patients. Those who do not drink enough water and are dehydrated for long are at a risk of developing these complications.”

 

DVT has also been found in women who undergo hormone replacement therapy or are on contraceptive pills for too long. Experts stated that awareness about this condition was limited. For that reason they have workshops with general practitioners and gynaecologists to identify these patients and treat them in time.