Upon hearing about deep vein thrombosis and its risk of causing a pulmonary embolism, it’s hard not to worry about developing this condition. You might find yourself ever more concerned if you have any risk factors, like a recent traumatic injury to one of your limbs, immobility, or a family history of blood clots. You might even go as far as to wonder if there are any self evaluation techniques you can do at home. If any of that has crossed your mind, just use this guide to learn what you need to know to set your mind at ease.
How to Check Yourself at Home
Unfortunately, you cannot check yourself for deep vein thrombosis from the comfort of your home. You have to meet with a vein specialist who will perform an exam and the Homan’s sign test.
During this test, your Long Island vein specialist will have you extend your knee, raise your leg to 10 degrees, and check for pain in your calf. If squeezing your leg makes it feel tender or painful, then you may have a blood clot and will need further tests.
You should not do this test at home since it can move the dangerous clot through the veins and potentially cause a pulmonary embolism. You could also get a false sense of security if you don’t perform the test right and feel little pain during it as a result.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Instead of trying to diagnose DVT at home, just watch for the most common symptoms that point to the possible need for vein treatments, such as:
- Pain and tenderness in the limbs
- Swelling and redness
- Excessive warmth in a particular area
- Skin discoloration
If you notice any of these symptoms or anything just feels off to you, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a specialist skilled in vein procedures.
Can DVT Be Treated at Home?
DVT cannot be treated at home since it requires the use of anticoagulant medication. Only available by prescription, this medication is only given after an ultrasound or other imaging test allows your vein specialist to accurately diagnose the condition. In rare cases, you may even need to have surgery to remove the blood clots.
Precautions to Take During COVID When Scheduling an Appointment
When you come in to meet our vein physicians in Long Island, NY, please keep our COVID safety precautions in mind. We require that all patients and visitors to the clinic wear a face covering at all times. Even while waiting in the exam room, it is important to keep your face covering up over your nose and mouth.
You can rest assured that our CVR Center is cleaned frequently using effective products that kill viruses, bacteria, and other germs. We also offer you hand sanitizer that you can use while at the front counter, before leaving the clinic, and any time in between.
Schulman Vein’s Exceptional Vein Doctor in Long Island
Without any underlying risk factors, there’s only a one in 1,000 chance of developing deep vein thrombosis at any given time. Despite the relatively low risk, it’s never a bad idea to get checked out if you’re worried about it. You can easily schedule an appointment at Schulman Vein and Laser Center in Long Island, New York, by filling out the online form or calling the office.