March 27, 2014 – Bayer HealthCare. Dull pains in the calf or thigh, feeling of heaviness or swelling of the leg are the 3 main signs that must suggest a phlebitis. Each year in France, 100,000 people are affected; about 10,000 die from pulmonary embolism.
On the occasion of the 48th Congress of the French College of Vascular Pathology, Bayer HealthCare is launching an information campaign through a music clip that can be downloaded from the website www.laphlebite.fr. The purpose of this campaign is to make the population aware of the symptoms of phlebitis and the urgent need to consult a doctor as soon as one of the symptoms appears. According to an Ifop / Bayer HealthCare study, 85% of French people say they have already heard of phlebitis, but 66% cannot name the 3 main symptoms.
Phlebitis: act quickly to avoid the risk of pulmonary embolism
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), more commonly known as phlebitis, is a heart disease. Usually located in a vein in the leg, it occurs when a blood clot partially or completely blocks blood flow, like a blockage.
” If part or all of the clot separates from the venous wall, carried by the blood flow, it can travel to the heart and then obstruct the pulmonary artery or one of its branches causing pulmonary embolism. This is an emergency, so you have to act quickly to treat the clot », Specifies Professor Grégoire Le Gal, internist at the University Hospital of Brest and in Ottawa. Otherwise, it can lead to lasting damage to the lungs and other vital organs and even death.
The risk of pulmonary embolism makes phlebitis a serious disease. It is therefore strongly recommended to consult a doctor as soon as one of these symptoms appears: pain, heaviness or swelling of the leg. However, only 34% cite the 3 symptoms suggestive of phlebitis.
Phlebitis: identifying risk profiles
There are many risk factors,age being the main one, although younger subjects can be affected. “ There are factors of genetic risk, if there has already been thrombosis in the family, we are more at risk of having one; all diseases that cause inflammation, such as cancer, joint pathologies, but also obesity, heart failure, or even smoking are also risk factors »Comments Prof. G. Le Gal. ” Surgical interventions require special monitoring: vascular lesions forming a favorable ground for the development of thrombosis He adds.
More generally, any period causing a traffic slowdown (venous stasis) such as rest following an accident or a surgical operation, a long-haul plane trip, but also pregnancy, or the loss of autonomy of the elderly increase the risk of triggering phlebitis. Women prone to heavy legs or having venous insufficiency also have a favorable ground for phlebitis, a factor well identified by 90% of French people, not to mention wearing tight jeans or boots. But sometimes, “ the occurrence of phlebitis remains unexplained and appears in a patient who did not present any particular risk, it is therefore essential to go for a consultation in the event of the appearance of one of the 3 symptoms », Insists Professor G. Le Gal.
Conduct and good practices
Phlebitis can have serious complications and it is important to see a doctor right away. Severity of which the French are well aware since they cite this behavior to be followed by 93%.
“ You should know that 2/3 of phlebitis are diagnosed and treated in town. To make his diagnosis, the doctor performs a venous Doppler ultrasound »Explains Dr Jean-Pierre Laroche, vascular doctor, at the Montpellier University Hospital.
If there is a risk of developing venous thrombosis, the doctor may prescribe compression socks, stockings or tights which must sometimes be worn day or night if the risk of thrombosis is high.
” Patients said to be at venous risk and immobilized at home must acquire the phlebitis prevention reflex »Specifies Dr JP Laroche. Anticoagulant treatment can be prescribed as a preventive measure, in addition to medical compression. ” For a plane trip of more than 6 hours, even if the person has no history, it is advisable to wear compression socks and to stay hydrated as much as possible, i.e. 1 liter of water for 6 hours of flight. He adds. ” In all cases, it is advisable to apply certain rules of hygiene of life to prevent the risk of occurrence of phlebitis such as practicing regular physical activity, fighting against overweight, obesity being a major venous risk factor. , and avoid smoking »Explains Dr JP Laroche.
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