Phlebitis And Thrombophlebitis

Phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs. Perhaps the most famous sufferer from phlebitis was the late United States president Richard Nixon.

Phlebitis is almost always accompanied by a blood clot, or thrombus, in the affected vein, a condition known as thrombophlebitis. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot that may partially or completely block a blood vessel. A clot located in an inflamed, blood vessel is called thrombophlebitis.

A clot formation in a deeper vein is called a deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots may follow injury, surgery, childbirth, or prolonged bed rest. They may also be associated with infection.

Phlebitis in a leg, for example, will cause the leg to swell with edema fluid and feel stiff and painful.

Phlebitis can occur in both the surface (superficial) or deep veins.

• Superficial phlebitis affects veins on the skin surface. The condition is rarely serious and, with proper care, usually resolves rapidly. Sometimes people with superficial phlebitis also get deep vein thrombophlebitis, so a medical evaluation is necessary.
• Deep vein thrombophlebitis affects the larger blood vessels deep in the legs. Large blood clots can form, which may break off and travel to the lungs. This is a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.

Phlebitis Causes

Superficial phlebitis can be a complication due to a medical or surgical procedure. Injury to a vein increases the risk of forming a blood clot. Sometimes clots occur without an injury. Some risk factors for phlebitis include the following:

• Prolonged inactivity - Staying in bed or sitting for many hours, as in a car or on an airplane, creating stagnant or slow flow of blood from the legs in a dependent position (This pooling of blood in the legs leads to thrombus formation.)
• Sedentary lifestyle - Not getting any exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking cigarettes
• Certain medical conditions, such as cancer or blood disorders, that increase the clotting potential of the blood
• Injury to your arms or legs
• Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
• Pregnancy
• Varicose veins

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