Thrombosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Natural Remedies

Thrombosis is a clot that forms in a blood vessel and blocks it. This clot, also called a thrombus, can form in the veins or arteries. If it forms in a vein, it is called venous phlebitis or thrombosis. If it forms in an artery, it is called arterial thrombosis.

Thrombosis Symptoms

Thrombosis may not have any symptoms. The patient is in this case asymptomatic. Usually, venous thrombosis forms on the lower limbs of the body. Since the clot partially or completely blocks the blood vessel, this is felt in various forms. You can recognize phlebitis in the following cases:

• Sharp pain in the calf or thigh, depending on the affected area
• Hardening or swelling on the affected area
• A feeling of heat or redness on the affected part
• Numbness or cramping in the affected limb
• In superficial thrombosis, the skin takes on a bluish or whitish color.

Causes of thrombosis and risk factors

The main causes of thrombosis are poor blood circulation:

Slowing of blood flow or stasis in an area of ​​the body

A deposit of atheroma (accumulation of elements such as fat, lipid, blood) on the arterial walls. This phenomenon leads to decreased blood flow and deteriorates the affected artery.

The result of a chronic illness including heart disease and cancer.

Prolonged immobilization such as bed rest.

Besides the causes of phlebitis, there are also risk factors that promote the disease. The most common are:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking or chronic alcohol abuse
• Consumption of contraceptive pills
• A long trip or prolonged immobilization
• An accident or surgery causing a clot to form
• The pregnancy.

Diagnosis of thrombosis

Depending on the symptoms described and observed on the patient, the doctor may conduct clinical examinations. They are generally based on:

Doppler ultrasound: this involves visualizing and locating the clot in the blood vessels. The doctor passes an ultrasound probe over the affected part.

• Venography: an x-ray of the veins
• Arteriography: it allows you to explore the arteries.

Prevention and Thrombosis Treatment

To prevent the disease, there are precautions that can be taken on a daily basis.

Perform sports activities regularly

Sport facilitates the circulation of blood in the body. Sports activities prevent blood clotting and keep you in good health. Walking 30 minutes a day allows good blood circulation.

Use compression Thrombosis stockings while traveling

During long journeys, especially by plane, these socks are highly recommended for the Thrombosis leg. They have the effect of improving blood circulation in the legs. They also prevent swelling of the legs.

Treatment, on the other hand, depends on the thrombosis affecting the patient.

For venous thrombosis

Treatment is generally based on the prescription of an anticoagulant. In the event that a person has a high risk of phlebitis, the attending physician offers these anticoagulants as prevention.

Heparin and fondaparinux (skin injections) are usually part of drug treatments. Oral anticoagulants, such as AVK or anti-vitamin K, are also given if the case gets worse.

For arterial thrombosis

Treatment relies primarily on prevention. Good food hygiene is recommended to limit the risks. The consumption of tobacco and alcohol should be excluded.

Drug treatment is based on antiplatelet agents. Aspirins or even Clopidogrel are therefore prescribed. These drugs are to limit the formation of atheroma. If the disease worsens, endovascular treatment should be performed. This treatment is done without surgery.

Thrombosis Natural Remedies

Now that you understand this problem a little more, it is time for you to learn about some treatment options that can be used:

Some plants that help especially in prevention are garlic, horse chestnut and black currant. Garlic is great because it prevents blood clots from forming.

The chestnut, for its part, improves blood circulation and the gooseberry provides strength to our blood vessels.

Likewise, the consumption of sweet clover is recommended, since it has a powerful anticoagulant action. Hawthorn is recommended for its vasodilating action.

Nutrition is also very important to treat venous thrombosis. Try to have a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. Also, oily fish such as sardines and trout should be included in the diet as well as foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

It is very important to reduce the consumption of foods rich in vitamin K since it makes the blood thicker. Some of these foods are wheat germ as well as alfalfa, among others.

Finally, it is advisable to consume foods or supplements with a good supply of vitamins C and B3 as they improve circulation and have an antioxidant effect. Lymphatic massage is also recommended as a therapy to improve circulation and, above all, the sedentary life has to be put aside.