Definition

Phlebitis is the term for the swelling of a vein, most often in one’s leg. Thrombophlebitis is the term for inflammation of a vein caused by a blood clot. The term is often shortened to phlebitis. The condition is easily treatable, though it sometimes leads to more serious health concerns.

  • Thrombophlebitis

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    • There are two kinds of phlebitis: superficial phlebitis (affecting veins near the skin's surface) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

    When the clot is embedded into a deep vein, thrombophlebitis can become much more serious. The condition, appropriately named deep vein thrombosis , can cause blood clots in the lungs ( pulmonary embolism ), heart attack , and stroke .

    Causes

    Phlebitis is often caused by:

        
  • Prolonged bed rest following an operation
  • Paralysis
  • Use of estrogen
  • Lack of exercising your legs over an extended period of time (eg, long airplane trips)
  • Prior episodes of phlebitis
  • Trauma to the lower extremity
  • Cancer malignancy—Certain cancers may put you at risk for a clotting condition. This condition can lead to venous thrombosis. Cancers such as pancreatic , stomach , prostate , and colon cancer, as well as acute leukemia are known to increase clots.

    • Risk Factors

    A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

    The following factors increase your chance of developing phlebitis:

        
  • Sitting for long periods of time, such as on an airplane or being confined to bed rest
  • Health conditions that increase the risk of blood clots     
  • These include cancers particularly of the pancreas which is associated with recurrent phlebitis
  • Blood disorders which increase the clotting potential of blood     
  • These include Protein C deficiency due to Factor V Leiden (hereditary blood coagulation disorder)
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy

    • Symptoms

    Symptoms include:

        
  • Very visible, cord-like vein that is tender and sensitive to pressure. This cord may develop over several hours to days.
  • Redness and warmth surrounding the vein.
  • Swelling around the vein.
  • A low-grade fever may be seen, however a high fever and drainage that is purulent (pus) indicate infection.
  • Call your physician immediately should you develop a fever, shortness of breath (which may indicate that the clot may have traveled to the lung), and severe pain and swelling in the arm or leg.

    • Diagnosis

    Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

    Tests may include the following:

        
  • Physical exam
  • X-ray or ultrasound to check for deeper blood clots
  • Venogram in which dye or contrast is injected
  • In case of recurrent episodes of phlebitis, screening for blood disorders is done.

    • Treatment

    Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

        
  • Anti-inflammatory medication—you may be advised to take over-the-counter pain relievers, like aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Exercise—walking is typically recommended.
  • Compress—another option is applying a warm compress over the inflamed vein.
  • Elevation—elevating the arm or leg with the inflamed vein to a level above the heart may be beneficial.

    • If you are diagnosed with phlebitis, follow your doctor's instructions .

    Prevention

    Phlebitis can sometimes be prevented by the following actions:

        
  • If you fly for long periods of time, walk around the cabin and stretch your limbs every hour or so.
  • If you drive for long periods of time, pull over and stretch your limbs ever hour or so.

    • On flights or car rides lasting more than four hours, take additional precautions to reduce your risk of thrombosis. These include:

        
  • Avoid wearing tight clothing around your waist.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.