You have just been out of a surgical procedure, and your doctor recommended that you gradually perform exercises and light activities. Even after undergoing prosthodontic procedures like dental implant surgery, they would still require you to move around. But going back to the subject, why do they have to impose rather painful movements almost right after your surgery? This advice is because they would like for you to avoid deep vein thrombosis. Let us discover what deep vein thrombosis (ICD 10 code I82.40) is, what this disease does to the body, and what can we do to prevent or treat this vascular problem.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (ICD 10 code I82.40)

To understand what deep vein thrombosis is, let us have a basic knowledge about our vascular system. Our blood circulation is being managed by the heart and the blood vessels, namely the arteries and the veins. As the heart pumps the blood, it goes to the arteries to be delivered in different parts of the body. The arteries deliver oxygenated blood that nourishes the essential organs for us to live. After giving off the much-needed nutrients, blood travels back to the lungs(to oxygenate the blood) going to the heart via the veins. Sometimes, people with cardiovascular problems develop weak and brittle blood vessels or problems with blood viscosity. There are also instances where people develop an injury to the vein that allows blood clots to form and stick to the walls of the veins and arteries. This is where deep vein thrombosis starts, where blood clots form and cause discomfort in the body, particularly the legs where deep veins are usually located.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Common signs and symptoms of patients with deep vein thrombosis include leg pain in the form of cramps or unexplainable calf discomfort as well as a reddish or bluish discoloration of the leg without the presence of any injury or trauma. Some patients also observe that their leg feels warmer than the unaffected side. However, not all deep vein thrombosis patients feel any symptoms from the disease. In fact, many who suffer from this condition would only realize that they have a blood clot formation in their leg when it becomes more serious, like when the clot dislodges and travels to other parts of the body, particularly the lungs.

Do not get us wrong; people can also develop upper extremity vein thrombosis. If the blood clot gets attached to a deep vein in the arm, he may or may not exhibit symptoms that can signal DVT. These include arm, neck, or shoulder pain, arm swelling and discoloration, and weakness of the hand when gripping.

Who Are At Risk Of Developing Deep Vein Thrombosis?

As mentioned earlier, people who have limited movement of their extremities due to an injury or surgery may be at risk of developing this vascular condition. Here are some more instances that can increase the chances of having deep vein thrombosis (DVT):

• Age (people 60 years and above)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Blood clot disorder
• Debilitating conditions that cause prolonged bed rest
• Pregnancy
• Taking hormone replacement therapy
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Inflammatory bowel disease

These physical conditions affect the body’s blood circulation and make you at risk to develop blood clots.

Complications of Deep Vein Thrombosis (ICD 10 code I82.40)

Pulmonary Embolism

Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition, to begin with, but what can complicate it more is when the blood clot gets dislodged ad travels to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a critical and life-threatening lung condition that needs emergency medical attention once it presents signs and symptoms like the difficulty of breathing, chest pain, dizziness, and coughing up blood.

Postthrombotic Syndrome

This condition is sometimes called a postphlebitic condition where the vein affected by the DVT gets damaged. The injury that the vein developed will reduce the blood flow in the different parts of the body that is connected to it. It will also cause leg pain, sores, and discoloration.

How Can You Prevent  Developing Deep Vein Thrombosis?

The risks that can cause deep vein thrombosis should be prevented as much as possible to reduce the possibility of you developing this vascular disorder. Here are some tips that we can give you to help you avoid DVT.

Quit Smoking

Smoking, as we already know, will not benefit our body in any way. The chemicals in cigars and tobacco make the blood too viscous or thicker and affect the lining of the blood vessels, making it more possible for blood clots to form and stick to the vein.

Lose Weight

Obesity makes the body bigger and heavier and makes the blood circulation poor due to increased pressure to pump the blood all over the body. Losing weight and adapting to an active lifestyle will diminish the risk of developing DVT.

Adopt an Active Lifestyle

Stagnant blood supply due to a sedentary lifestyle, limited movements, and physical activities allow the blood circulation to slow down and develop clotting. Practice a regular exercise regimen to allow the body to increase blood circulation.

Avoid a Sedentary Lifestyle

Not everyone works using manual labor. Office-based occupations primarily doing clerical work usually entail the workers to remain sitting for long periods. As much as possible, make it a habit to stand and walk or do stretches to help the blood to circulate better in the legs and the rest of the lower extremities.

Have Regular Visits To The Doctor

Patients with a personal or family history of any cardiovascular disorder need to present themselves to their doctor regularly. This way, your doctor can assess and request tests to determine if you are indeed at risk of developing DVT.