Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood starts to clot deep in veins located in muscles of the human body. Typically, these veins are in the legs, but it is possible to have DVT occur in other areas of the body, including the arms and chest. The blood clot has the ability of blocking circulation of the blood or even lodging inside of the lungs or heart, which becomes life threatening. Due to this, knowing what the causes of deep vein thrombosis is extremely important.
According to WebMD, it is possible for surgical operations to cause the development of DVT. Some surgeries are likely to cause DVT more than others including those that reduce the flood of blood to certain areas of the body, any sort of major surgery that takes place in the legs, abdomen or chest, plus an orthopedic surgery, including a hip or knee replacement. These surgeries are more likely to cause DVT due to the movement of tissue, protein and fats into veins after the completion of the surgery.
Additionally, vein walls might experience trauma or damage during the surgery, which in turn forces the veins to potentially release a substance that causes blood clotting (in order to stop and repair the damage inside of the veins). Lastly, prolonged bed rest following a surgery, forcing the muscles to not move for long periods of time, is a common reason why DVT develops.
The Mayo Clinic indicates there are many other causes of DVT, ranging from injuries to lifestyle preferences. An injury, such as a broken hip or leg, can cause a reduction in blood flow, potentially causing DVT. Cancer of any kind can cause DVT, paralysis from a spinal cord injury can cause DVT in multiple places, due to limited or no movement of the limbs, plus hormone therapy, especially the kind used for smokers, might result in DVT.
Pregnancy can put great strain on the body and the movement of blood is generally focused around the abdominal area (especially during a C-section), so the blood inside of the legs and arms is reduced, potentially causing DVT). Varicose veins, which usually take place in the legs, are twisted, painful veins and these can potentially lead to DVT, which is why it is so important to have these veins removed, and any sort of history of heart problems such as congestive heart failure, stroke or heart attack can lead to the development of DVT.
As the Mayo Clinic also points out, other issues, such as sitting for long periods of time without movement (such as on extended car rides or flights), or even the use of birth control pills and patches can possibly cause DVT. Plus, extra weight comes with all sorts of negative side effects, and one is DVT, due to the fact there is more mass for the veins to cover, which can reduce the amount of blood in certain areas of the body. No matter what the cause of DVT is though, it is important to see a medical professional for treatment and in order to correct the situation quickly.
