Varicophlebitis

Varicophlebitis

What is varicophlebitis?

Varicophlebitis is the inflammation of a varicose vein, a superficial vein that becomes inflamed due to the accumulation of more blood than usual, i.e. due to the formation of a thrombus. The diagnosis of this pathology is simple and quick since it is based on the presence of pain, induration and a purple color in the varicose vein.

What are the symptoms?

The clinical presentation is that of a superficial hardened varicose vein to the touch, with the presence of inflammation, irregular trajectory and can become very painful, even more so than in thrombophlebitis.

Causes of varicophlebitis or why it occurs

The cause of varicophlebitis, unlike thrombophlebitis, is usually a mechanical injury, such as a crimping of the vein or trauma to the vein wall.
Other frequent causes are usually autoimmune diseases.

In addition, varicophlebitis is often a cause of malignant diseases and, in particular, paraneoplastic syndromes that must be ruled out because of their severity. It is rare that varicophlebitis can be associated with diseases such as tuberculosis or syphilis.

Can it be prevented?

The prevention of this disease is carried out taking special care with trauma or injury to the extremities. In the presence of the slightest symptom, mainly swelling of the vein, a specialist should be consulted.

To avoid the presence of a thrombus, it is recommended to generate the fluid circulation of blood without being a long time without movement. Hormonal therapies such as contraceptive pills or pregnancy may increase the risk of thrombus formation. Other actions such as smoking or the ingestion of high-fat foods may increase the risk of suffering this pathology.

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What does the treatment consist of?

Treatment will depend on the location, extent, symptoms and medical condition of the patient. The main objective of the method to choose should be to mitigate pain and inflammation and prevent new phlebitis in the future. The specialists will advise an immobilization relative to each case, applying compresses twice a day for half an hour and taking anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. In those cases in which there is, in addition, infection, the specialist will indicate the taking of antibiotics.