Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh, but they can also occur in other parts of the body. A clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. A loose clot is called an embolus. If an embolus travels to a lung and blocks blood flow, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE. PE is a serious condition that can damage lungs and other organs or even lead to death. DVT can occur when damage occurs to a vein's inner lining. Damage can result from surgery, serious injury, inflammation, or an immune response. DVT can also occur when blood flow is slow or sluggish. Lack of movement from surgery, a long illness, or distant travel can cause blood flow to be slow or sluggish. DVT is more likely when your blood is thicker or more likely to clot. This can result from certain inherited conditions or from hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives. Other risk factors include pregnancy and the first 6 weeks after delivery, cancer treatment, a central venous catheter, age over 60 and being overweight or obese.

Only half of people with DVT have symptoms. Symptoms can include swelling of a leg, unexplained pain or tenderness in a leg or other location, redness and warmth in a leg. Some people don't have symptoms unless they have a pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of PE include shortness of breath, pain on breathing, and coughing up blood. Diagnosis of DVT is made from medical history, physical exam and diagnostic tests including ultrasound, a D-dimer test, or venography.

The main goals of treatment are to keep the clot from getting bigger, preventing the clot from moving to the lungs, and reducing the chance of another clot. Anticoagulants are medications that prevent your blood from clotting and keep the clot from getting bigger. They cannot dissolve clots that are already formed. Clots dissolve on their own over time. Anticoagulants are also called blood thinners. They can be taken orally or by injection. Treatment with blood thinners usually lasts from 3 to 6 months. Too high levels of blood thinners can cause bleeding, which can be life-threatening. People treated with blood thinners usually must monitor blood levels regularly. Other medications called thrombin inhibitors, which interfere with the clotting process, are used in people who cannot take usual blood thinners. Thrombolytics, medications that quickly dissolve clots, are used in life-threatening situations because they can cause serious, sudden bleeding. A vena cava filter may be used if a person is being treated with blood thinners and is still forming clots. This filter placed in a large vein catches clots before they get to the lungs. Graduated compression stockings are tight at the ankle and looser as they go up the leg, which creates pressure that keeps blood from pooling and clotting. These stockings should be used for a year after a DVT.

Though the risk of developing DVT while traveling is low, the risk increases with travel lasting more than 4 hours. During long trips you should walk up and down aisles of trains, planes or buses or stop and walk around every hour if traveling by car, flex and extend legs and feet to stimulate blood flow, wear loose and comfortable clothes, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, and wear compression stockings.

Reference: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html.

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