Deep vein thrombosis or DVT or venous thrombosis refers to a condition during which a thrombus or blood clot develops in veins deep in your body. This may be caused due to injury to the veins or if the blood flowing through them is too sluggish. 

Is DVT Dangerous? 

DVT is a dangerous situation as it may cause blood clots to travel through your bloodstream. The other characteristics include: 

• Pooling of blood in the veins. 

• Chronic leg swelling. 

• Increased pressure in your veins. 

• Increased pigmentation of your skin. 

• Leg ulcers. 

• Pulmonary embolism. 

What Are the Symptoms of DVT? 

DVT usually occurs in either the veins of your legs or arms. The common symptoms include: 

• Swelling in your legs or arms. 

• Pain or tenderness in your legs or arms. 

• A swollen arm or leg may also hurt. 

• Discolored skin. 

• Abdominal pain. 

• Severe headache. 

How is DVT Treated? 

Depending on your condition, you may either receive treatment in the hospital or as an outpatient procedure.  

The treatment may include certain medications, compression stockings, or elevating your affected leg at different times throughout the day. The entire treatment is aimed at: 

• Prevent your clots from getting bigger and hindering other veins. 

• Prevent the clot from breaking in your vein and moving to your lungs. 

• Reduce the risk of another blood clot. 

• Prevent long-term complications from the blood clot. 

Surgery 

If medications do not work for you, you may require a surgery known as an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. During this procedure, your surgeon will insert an IVC filter through a catheter into a large vein in your neck or groin and your vena cava. If the blood clots in the veins of your legs break and travel, the IVC filter is designed to prevent them from reaching your lungs. 

Varicose veins refer to swollen and twisted blood vessels bulging under your skin’s surface. Usually blue or purple, these appear on your legs, feet, and ankles. Spider veins are smaller red or purple lines that appear close to your varicose. 

What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins? 

 An apparent sign of varicose veins is the appearance of blue or purple veins just under your skin. Other symptoms include: 

• Bulging veins. 

• Heavy legs. 

• Itching around the area. 

• Extreme pain in the legs or even muscle cramps. 

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet. 

• Skin discolourations and ulcers. 

Veins Treated? 

Although there is no cure for varicose veins, the below treatments can greatly reduce their appearance and relieve comfort: 

• Elevation: 

This is done to increase blood flow and decrease pressure in your veins. During this procedure, you will be required to elevate your legs above your waist several times throughout the day. 

• Elastic Stockings: 

Certain specialized stockings including compression stockings or supportive stockings help in compressing your veins and reduce discomfort. The compression stops your veins from stretching and helps with blood flow. 

• Injection therapy or Sclerotherapy: 

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into your veins. The solution causes the vein walls to stick together. Consequently, your vein turns into scar tissue and fades away. 

• Laser therapy: 

A minimally invasive procedure or endovenous thermal ablation uses a catheter or a long, thin tube and laser to close the damaged vein. 

• Vein Surgery: 

Also called ligation and stripping, the surgeon will tie your affected vein to stop it from pooling. In addition, the surgeon may also remove the vein to prevent varicose from re-appearing. 

What Are the Risks Associated with Treatment? 

The main problem with varicose is that it might reappear even after treatment. Other side effects include: 

• Infection. 

• Nerve injury. 

• Skin burns. 

• Scarring. 

• Deep vein thrombosis. 

• Lumps or hardness for a few months. 

Vascular access or haemodialysis access is a procedure that is required to get haemodialysis. The access is a port where you receive haemodialysis. With the help of this access, your blood is removed from the body, cleaned by the dialysis machine, and returned to your body. 

Why Do You Need Haemodialysis? 

Your kidneys act similarly to filters and remove extra fluid and waste from your blood. When kidneys stop working, haemodialysis can be used to clean your blood. This may be performed 3 times a week and may take around 3-4 hours. 

What Happens During Haemodialysis Access Surgery? 

Depending on your condition, your surgeon may put three types of accesses: 

• Fistula: 

During this, your surgeon will join an artery and vein under the skin. With these blood vessels connected, more blood will flow into the vein which will make the vein stronger and a needle insertion into this vein will allow speedy haemodialysis. Usually, it may take around 1-4 weeks for your fistula to be ready to use. 

• Graft: 

In case you have small veins that cannot be formed into a fistula, the surgeon may connect an artery and vein with an artificial tube or graft. Needle insertion into this graft will now allow haemodialysis. Typically, a graft may take around 3-6 weeks to heal. 

• Central Venous Catheter: 

In case of emergency haemodialysis, the surgeon may directly put the catheter in a vein in your neck, chest, or upper leg. The catheter is temporary and usually reserved in urgent cases.  

What Happens After the Haemodialysis Access Surgery? 

After the surgery, you may have swelling and pain in the access area. Make sure that you keep the area dry for at least 24-48 hours and do not lift anything or do any strenuous exercise.  

Arteriovenous (AV) fistula refers to a surgical connection made between an artery and vein. This is usually done in the leg or arms to allow haemodialysis treatment. These are preferred if you require long dialysis. 

What Happens During AV Fistula Creation Surgery? 

As an initial step, your surgeon will first evaluate your blood vessels to ensure they are healthy to support a fistula. Once confirmed, the surgeon will give you local anaesthesia at the access site.  

A small incision will be made to allow access to the preferred arteries and veins. A surgical connection will be made between an artery and a vein. This connection will cause blood to flow from the artery into the vein. This elevated blood flow through the vein will result in enlargement of the vein and make it easy for haemodialysis. 

What Happens After AV Fistula Creation Surgery? 

AV fistula is usually done as an outpatient procedure and you may go home on the same day. Your surgeon will ask you to keep your access arm elevated to reduce swelling and pain. You may also receive pain medication to manage the pain.