Phlebitis

Phlebitis






Phlebitis is the vein inflammation that causes pain and discomfort on the legs and arms. Thrombophlebitis is a condition in which there is blood clot and inflammation on the legs. Phlebitis is very painful and the inflammation may occur either in the superficial veins or in the deep veins. Superficial phlebitis is the condition in which the upper layer of the veins gets inflamed and it can be easily treated by topical ointments that reduce inflammation. But phlebitis that occurs in the deep veins is called Deep Vein Thrombosis that affects the veins found deep inside the legs and arms. In rare cases, the Blood Clots that develop on the veins may move towards the lungs causing dangerous situation like pulmonary embolism.

Causes :

Phlebitis that is superficial is caused when a catheter (venflon) is inserted into the vein or when a person is put on intravenous catheter. In this case, the superficial vein gets inflamed and irritated. The condition of Varicose Veins in the legs also belongs to superficial phlebitis.

Deep vein thrombosis is caused by trauma or injury to the legs or due to inactivity for long time. This happens when a person is destined to bed due to some disease which would arrest the movement of his legs and arms. Here the blood slowly begins to clot since the person remains inactive for long time. This is also caused due to abnormal blood clotting that is inherited by birth.

Who are at risk ?

People who are over-weight (obese) and individuals who are inactive for prolonged period (bedridden or long journey on a plane or car without any movement) are prone to deep vein phlebitis. Women who are pregnant are also under the risk of getting blood clot in their veins since the enlarged size of the uterus would compress the veins of the pelvic region.

People who take treatment for cancer and other blood disorders can also get phlebitis. Similarly people who smoke frequently and those using contraceptive pills are also under the risk.

Symptoms :

The affected leg or arm will develop tenderness and the area becomes red in color. Slowly there will be inflammation of the leg or arm indicating the swelling of superficial veins. The skin becomes swollen and itchy and the affected area will give burning sensation. The pain and discomfort will be intense during mornings. Some people may develop fever and breakdown of skin in the affected area.

There would be inflammation of the vein for all people who are put on IV fluids for long time. The surrounding area of the skin may look swollen and warm due to the inflammation of the vein.

Diagnoses :

Your doctor will look for the above symptoms and physically examine the body to ascertain the illness. For diagnosing deep vein thrombosis blood clot testing (D-dimer) may be done or ultrasound scan is done.

Pictures of Phlebitis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Phlebitis

Treatment :

For treating superficial type of phlebitis you can apply warm or cold compress on the affected leg or arm. For treating inflammation and pain you can take medications like Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs. For getting temporary relief you can also wear leg stockings for improving the blood flow and reducing the vein inflammation.

In case of deep vein phlebitis, your doctor will give medications for reducing swelling and pain. In case of skin infection, antibiotics are prescribed. For severe form of deep vein thrombosis, anticoagulation is done for thinning the blood content. In case of life threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism, the patient will have to be hospitalized and given lovenox injection along with coumadrin and the situation is monitored continuously.

You can prevent from getting phlebitis by doing regular exercise and indulging in sports activities like cycling and swimming. In case you are traveling for long hours, you should get up and walk for few minutes before continuing the journey. For bed ridden people it is advised to change position and wear stockings to prevent vein inflammation.

Individuals who are on IV fluids for long should change positions of catheter to prevent phlebitis.

Phlebitis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

Phlebitis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

What is Phlebitis?

Phlebitis is an inflammation involving the vein which commonly occurs in the legs, but may also arise in the arm. This condition can lasts longer and even for years, however, if it persists for a long time, the inner lining of the inflamed vein could be irritated to a certain extent where a number of blood elements are deposited, leading to the formation of clots.

When a blood clot is in the vein, it causes pain and irritation and obstructs the flow of blood in the veins. (Thrombophlebitis) when it circulates in the bloodstream, it can lead to a serious circulatory obstruction. It is fatal when phlebitis is related to blood clot formation as clots may travel to the lungs leading to a pulmonary embolism. If any of the large pulmonary vessels is blocked, death may result.

Phlebitis can occur in both the surface or in deep veins. It can be classified as superficial or deep vein thrombophlebitis.

Superficial Phlebitis
Superficial phlebitis is a rarely serious form of phlebitis which only involves veins found on the skin surface. It is most likely to develop in individuals with varicosities, bedridden or pregnant. Its presence does not necessarily mean that there is an underlying deep venous thrombophlebitis. Typically, superficial thrombosis in the upper and lower limbs is a benign condition and has a positive prognosis. When thrombus is in the saphenous vein, it may be associated with an underlying DVT. With prompt and proper treatment, the condition typically resolves rapidly. However, a medical evaluation must be made as individuals with superficial phlebitis can also have deep vein thrombophlebitis.

Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis
Deep vein thrombophlebitis is a form of phlebitis affecting larger vessels which are more deeply situated blood vessels of the legs. In this condition, Blood Clots or thrombi are formed, which can break away and move to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism results and this is potentially life-threatening.

Phlebitis Symptoms

Patients suffering from a mild phlebitis can be asymptomatic or can also exhibit a number of symptoms. Hereunder are the following clinical manifestations of the condition.
General manifestations

You're reading Phlebitis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures posted by minhhai2d, the information is for reference only.

• Localized pain and burning sensation along the length of the vein


• Tenderness


• Redness / erythema which follows the course of the vein under the skin


• Edema or bulging of the vein


• Drainage of an exudates or pus due to an infection


• Hyperthermia


• A vein being hard and cord like in characteristic indicates that there is a superficial clot present on the area.


• If it happens because of an intravenous infusion line, slowed infusion rate can be noticed.


• Walking becomes challenging in patients with DVT as the affected extremity will become painful and tender.

Phlebitis Causes

Phlebitis can be due to the following factors:

• Presence of a confined vein damage


• Pathogenic organisms can gain access and cause inflammation


• Immobility and inactivity; examples include when the individual is in long driving or is sitting on a plane ride for extended hours.


• Prolonged standing


• Hypercoagulability of blood


• Irritating or vesicant solutions.


• Phlebitis can be provoked by IV insertion such as when the cannula is excessively large, subsequent manipulation and movement of cannula.


• Post-surgical phase particularly in surgeries involving the musculoskeletal system


• Prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients


• Valvular insufficiency and varicosities


• Malignant neoplasm and bleeding disorders


• Interference in the usual venous system drainage because of removal of lymph nodes, for example, after mastectomy for Breast Cancer


• Intravenous drug use


• Patients with burns


• Hereditary conditions


• IV can cause arm vein phlebitis, while certain medications such as phenergan can cause phlebitis


• Alcohol Abuse


• Surgical operation and childbirth

Phlebitis Risk Factors

• Trauma to the arm or leg can cause an injury the underlying vein


• Prolonged immobility – Normally, blood that is collected in the veins of the lower extremities is pumped toward the heart as lower leg muscles contract. If the contraction of the leg muscles becomes restricted because of extended hours of immobility, the blood becomes stagnant in the vein and clots may form.


• Hormone therapy


• Birth control pills


• Atherosclerosis


• Pregnancy


• Cigarette smoking


• Obesity


• There are a number of cancers which are in hypercoaguable state can increase the risk of an individual to clot formation by causing abnormalities in the normal coagulation pathway.

Phlebitis Prevention

Preventive measures for phlebitis can be easily taken, but in some cases, this can’t be avoided. Oftentimes, thrombophlebitis is a complication of treatments and conditions of a hospitalized individual.

Measures include the following:

• Early postoperative and postpartum ambulation


• Throughout a long car travel or airplane ride, legs must be exercised


• Good nursing hygiene


• Prompt removal of intravenous catheters


• Smoking habit must be put to stop as it can promote clot formation


• Compression stockings may be advantageous in individuals who have frequent phlebitis


• Attention to fluid balance


• Range of motion exercises for the immobilized patient


• Proper positioning of the patient are common nursing measures to promote good circulation


• To maintain muscle tone and promote circulation, moderate physical activity is suggested.


• Most hospitalized individuals who have restricted mobility or had a recent orthopedic surgery, blood thinners such as heparin or enoxaparin are given in low dose.


• Massaging the affected area is contraindicated as the nature of massage manipulations can cause clots to break loose which could lead to a clot travelling to the lungs and heart.

Phlebitis Treatment

Management of the condition will depend on the location, degree of severity, symptoms, and its underlying medical conditions.

Superficial thrombophlebitis
Generally for individuals with superficial thrombophlebitis, they are treated with the following;

• Periods of rest


• Elevation of the involved extremity


• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac and antibiotics as needed


• Warm compresses may ease the inflammation


• External compressions such as elastic stockings or bandages may be recommended to reduce the swelling


• If caused by an intravenous catheter, it must be removed.

Deep thrombophlebitis

• Usually, deep thrombophlebitis can be treated with anticoagulant drugs. These medications can help lessen the clot formation and allow the already formed clots to dissolve.


• Bedrest with leg elevation

Phlebitis Pictures