Varicotrombophlebitis is an inflammatory disease of the superficial venous system( unlike thrombosis, it does not affect the deep veins), during which blood clots( clots) and an inflammatory reaction occur in the localization area. Usually affects the varicose veins of the lower extremities.
Varicotrombophlebitis affects the superficial veins in the inflammatory process, and often accompanies varicose veins( varicose veins).In addition, the disease can be divided into:
- infectious , resulting from the penetration of bacteria;
- non-infectious , associated with irritation of the venous endothelium.
Noninfectious type of disorder can develop as a result of an injury or medical procedure( puncture, sclerotherapy, intravenous injection. ..).
The most common varicothrombophlebitis affects the lower limbs, especially if the person is bedridden for several days. Blood from the lower extremities is pumped to the heart with the help of skeletal muscles of the legs, as a result of which the venous outflow slows down, and subsequent complications occur.
In the upper extremities, the disease most often occurs as a result of intravenous injections.
Contents
- Causes and risk factors
- Symptoms and complaints
- Diagnostic measures
- Treatment of disease
- What is the danger?
Causes and Risk Factors of
The cause of the onset of the disease is a slowing of the influx and an increase in the coagulation of the blood. 
The disease can be found even in very young people, tk.excessive blood clotting can be associated with a genetic disorder.
Another cause of the disease is damage to the vessel wall after surgery, accident, cancer, and the use of various drugs.
In addition, varicothrombophlebitis may be one of the complications of obesity, pregnancy, immobilization, stroke, myocardial infarction, increased venous load, etc.
A special, but relatively common risk factor is a long journey. With the development of the transport industry, more and more cases of occlusion of deep veins of the lower limbs with blood clots are registered.
The risk is the long-term inactivity of the lower extremities and the inability to change position. A serious complication can be a severed thrombus, trapped in the blood and inserted into the lungs.
During pregnancy, there is a lower tension of the veins walls, making it more difficult for venous outflow. After childbirth, the risk of thromboembolic diseases should be avoided.
As risky professions that contribute to the occurrence of varicothrombophlebitis, those are indicated in which there is a need to spend many hours on legs. Among others, hairdressers, sellers, dentists, etc.
The increased incidence of this disease is also associated with age. People over 50 years old are at higher risk.
Symptoms and complaints
Varicotrombophlebitis is characterized by redness and hardening of veins in the affected area. This place tends to be warmer than the surrounding skin, and very painful to the touch.
The skin often itchs, but there is never a swelling of the entire limb( in this varicothrombophlebitis differs from phlebothrombosis, which sometimes reaches the blue spots).
In the case of detachment of the thrombus and reaching the lungs, there is a pulmonary embolism. This complication is manifested by shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and lowering of blood pressure. Subsequently, shock develops, and soon after this - a lethal outcome.
Diagnostic measures
Disease can be fairly easily diagnosed if the patient is willing to cooperate.
Very important is the medical history - the doctor examines similar diseases in the family, surgical procedures, possible varicose veins, oral contraceptives, heart disease, bad habits.
The examination includes palpation of swelling( if present), the determination of the level of pain, the blood sampling for analysis, possibly resorting to the imaging method, for example, ultrasound.
Treatment of the disease
When the superficial veins are damaged, an elastic bandage is applied to the affected limb, and the patient is advised to take therapeutic walking.
The affected area is cooled by cold compresses, and treated with anti-inflammatory ointments. In case there is an increase in body temperature, the doctor prescribes antibiotic treatment along with anti-clotting drugs.
Although varicothrombophlebitis usually recedes within a few days, the hardening of the veins may persist for some time.
In the case of deep vein inflammation therapy is already much more complicated, and requires hospitalization and follow-up. In addition to 
, lower limb bandages are injected with anticoagulants for blood thinning( heparin, warfarin), in the case of large blood clots it is necessary to start taking thrombolytics.
At the beginning of treatment, rest with raised legs is required( for better drainage of blood), and in a few days, on the contrary, active movement to accelerate blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Only in case of complex cases, when large veins are involved, a surgical approach is needed.
What is the danger?
The most frequent complication is, already mentioned, pulmonary embolism.
Another complication may be post-thrombotic syndrome, which occurs in a few months. The likelihood of its occurrence depends on the age of the patient, the degree of development of the disease, its location and treatment.
Its cause is a constantly increased venous pressure, which occurs as a result of venous insufficiency. One of the symptoms of postthrombotic syndrome is edema of the extremities. In the most severe cases, there is a need for amputation of the 
of the affected limb.
Prevention is primarily to maintain a reasonable body weight and regular exercise, at least several minutes a day.
In addition, it is recommended to completely stop smoking and, with sedentary or standing work, frequent breaks for walking.
Pregnant women should avoid long standing and regularly do appropriate exercises during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.