What Causes Phlebitis?
Phlebitis is a condition that leads to the inflammation of the veins. It usually co-occurs with a disease known as thrombosis. When one or more blood clots cause inflammation in the veins, it's called thrombophlebitis. The leg is the most common place where phlebitis occurs. Other times, some patients may experience the disease on the arms.
Some of the symptoms patients are likely to have with this condition are pain and irritation. The pain comes about due to the blockage of blood flow through the veins. There are two common types of phlebitis. The first is superficial and occurs on the surface. With proper treatment, the illness is easy to manage. The second type constitutes a severe inflammation and takes place in the deep veins of the body. It thus affects the large blood vessels making it fatal. Get to know the causes now.
Local Trauma To Veins
Most of us experience an injury to the leg or arm and probably think it should just be ignored as usual. However, we are supposed to take great care of our bodies and move around carefully. Local trauma to the veins occurs when you get an injury to the leg or arm. The damage can become severe that it can affect the underlying veins and cause inflammation.
There are two types of local trauma to the veins. One is blunt injury, which is minor and leads to the crashing or stretching of veins within the injured region. The second type, penetrating injury, leads to puncturing or tearing of blood vessels. The latter type of phlebitis is severe as it is life-threatening. It may lead to the blockage of the blood flow within the body, which we commonly call hemorrhage. It is essential to see a doctor immediately for a checkup once you injure your legs and arms. The condition can become fatal especially when there is internal bleeding.
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Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are among the leading causes of phlebitis. It occurs most times to women who are more prone than men. This condition is the enlargement of veins due to blood circulation issues. Varicose veins come about due to various factors, such as standing or walking for long hours, and mostly affect the feet and legs. When you stand for long periods, your posture increases the pressure in the veins. In turn, you will start experiencing discomfort, pain, or aching feet. When varicose veins occur over time, they can lead to thrombophlebitis.
It is critical for anyone experiencing such symptoms to try self-care measures. Bleeding may sometimes occur when the veins enlarge for long periods of time. Try doing regular exercises when you notice the enlargement. Wearing compression stockings also help relieve the pressure exerted on the veins. Pregnant women, older individuals, and obesity are the risk factors of varicose veins.
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Prolonged Periods Of Inactivity
It turns out prolonged periods of inactivity may increase the risk of getting phlebitis. There are various reasons why you would stay inactive for a long time. Sometimes it may be due to hospitalization or old age, and other times, it is due to traveling or just being lazy. Either way, doctors advise patients to walk for a few minutes during the day, as doing so will help strengthen your muscles and allow proper circulation of blood.
Staying inactive brings about obesity in individuals. Obesity is a risk factor associated with varicose veins, which as we know can result in thrombophlebitis. A sedentary lifestyle is killing as many as twenty to thirty percent of phlebitis patients. A blood clot may accidentally separate itself and move within the deep veins to the lungs. It causes pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition. Clots block the movement of blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
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Insertion Of Intravenous Catheters
Sometimes when a patient is sick, the doctors may insert intravenous catheters. The catheter is a small flexible tube with a syringe at the end to help direct it to the peripheral vein. Most doctors and nurses place it on the patient's arm.
As much as it is a useful technique to administer medication directly, it possesses various health risks to the patients. Even a small mistake can lead to phlebitis. Most times the tube irritate the veins at the place of insertion. The veins are sensitive to osmolality, acidic, and alkaline solutions. Administering medications with such solutions may irritate the veins of the patient. Vein trauma occurs during the insertion.
It is essential to keep on changing the site of injection. Using the wrong size of the tube also increases the risk of developing phlebitis. Whenever you notice redness, tenderness, warmth, and puffiness on the region of insertion, alert the caregivers immediately. The doctors ought to stop the infusion process as fast as possible.
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Patients With Burns
Patients with burns have a high risk of developing phlebitis. Burns constitute a type of injury to the skin. The wounds may affect either the superficial or the deep veins underneath the surface. The burns, therefore, damage blood vessels. The burns consequently reduce the level of fluids found in blood. Low levels of fluids in the blood bring about the low blood volume in the body. The low blood levels together with constant bed rest can cause the heart to stop pumping blood. Low blood volume leads to the formation of blood clots, which mostly occur in the limbs. The patients who stay bedridden for long periods may experience joint mobility problems. When you combine the blood clots and the joint mobility problem, the condition becomes life-threatening.