Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis (cont.)
What are the risk factors for phlebitis?
- One of the common risk factors for
phlebitis is a trauma. For example, a trauma or an injury to the arm or leg can cause an injury the underlying vein
resulting in inflammation or phlebitis.
- Prolonged immobility is another common risk factor for
phlebitis. Blood that is stored in the veins of the lower extremities normally
is pumped toward the heart by the contraction of the lower leg muscles. If the
muscle contraction is
limited due to prolonged (hours) immobility by sitting on a plane or a car, the
blood in the veins can become stagnant and clot formation can result in
thrombophlebitis.
- Hormone therapy (HT),
birth control pills, and
pregnancy
all
increase the risk for developing thrombophlebitis.
- Cigarette smoking is another risk factor for thrombophlebitis. Smoking in
combination with birth control pills can substantially increase the risk of
thromboembolism.
- Obesity is also a risk factor for thrombophlebitis.
- Certain cancers are known to increase the risk of clot formation (referred to
as a hyper-coagulable state) by causing abnormalities in the normal clotting
system (coagulation pathway). Some cancers with
hypercoagulable state cause
phlebitis or thrombophlebitis.
What are the symptoms of phlebitis?
Phlebitis, if mild, may or may not cause symptoms. Pain, tenderness, redness
(erythema), and bulging of the vein are common symptoms of phlebitis. The
redness and tenderness may follow the course of the vein under the skin.
Low grade fever may accompany superficial and deep phlebitis. High fever or
drainage of pus from the site of
thrombophlebitis may suggest an infection of the thrombophlebitis (referred to
as septic thrombophlebitis).
Palpable cords along the course of the vein may be a sign of a superficial
clot or superficial thrombophlebitis.
A deep venous thrombosis may present as redness and
swelling of the involved limb with pain and tenderness. In the leg, this can cause difficulty walking.
Next: How is phlebitis diagnosed? »
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