If blood vessels are compared to highways, then compared with traffic jams on highways, blood vessel “traffic jams” are much more terrifying. People who are bedridden for a long time keep their lower limbs in the same fixed position for a long time, which is likely to cause blood vessel blockage, resulting in deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.
As the disease progresses, deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs may lead to skin pigmentation, limb swelling, ulcers, etc. So how should people who are bedridden for a long time prevent deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs?
Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities
The risk factors for deep vein thrombosis mainly include the following aspects:
(1) Factors related to intravenous intima injury:
Trauma, surgery, repeated venipuncture, chemical injuries, infectious injuries, etc.
(2) Factors related to venous blood flow stasis:
Long-term bed rest, application of tourniquet during surgery, paralysis, immobilization, previous history of deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs, etc.
(3) Factors related to blood hypercoagulability:
Advanced age, obesity, general anesthesia, malignant tumors, polycythemia, artificial blood vessels or intravascular grafts, pregnancy, postpartum, long-term oral contraceptives, etc.
How to prevent deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs?
basic prevention
(1) If your condition permits, you should drink more water, quit smoking and drinking, control blood sugar and blood lipids, and develop good living habits;
(2) Change body positions regularly while lying in bed, and try to do activities out of bed, such as ankle flexion and rotation, knee extension and contraction, etc.;
(3) Avoid placing hard pillows under the knees and excessive hip flexion. If the condition permits, raise the affected limb to promote venous return;
(4) If you find swelling, pain, changes in skin temperature and color, or abnormal sensation, you should seek medical attention promptly.
physical prevention
Physical prevention is one of the important measures to prevent deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. If necessary, you can wear elastic stockings as directed by your doctor, and pay attention to the appropriate tightness. If conditions permit, you can use intermittent pneumatic compression devices and intravenous foot pumps, but be careful. Physical precautions should be used with caution or disabled in the following situations:
(1) Congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, or severe edema of the lower limbs;
(2) Deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs, pulmonary embolism or thrombophlebitis;
(3) Local abnormalities of the lower limbs (such as dermatitis, gangrene, recent skin transplant surgery);
(4) Severe arteriosclerosis or stenosis of blood vessels in the lower limbs, other ischemic vascular diseases (diabetes, etc.) and severe deformities of the lower limbs, etc.
drug prevention
When necessary, anticoagulant drugs can be used as directed by your doctor to prevent thrombosis. Commonly used preventive drugs include unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, etc.
Let me highlight the key points for you:
Drink more water, quit smoking and drinking;
Move frequently and elevate the affected limb;
Use elastic stockings and other equipment if necessary.
Okay, that’s it for this issue, see you next time~
references
[1] Ma Yufen, Cheng Shouzhen, Liu Yilan, Liu Ge, Liu Huaping, Liu Ying, Sun Hong, Li Fangfang, Li Zheng, Li Yanmei, Li Zhen, Wu Xinjuan, Song Baoyun, Zhang Xiaojing, Jin Jingfen, Zhao Yanwei, Cao Jing, Jiao Jing, Wen Xianxiu, Bo Haixin. Expert consensus on nursing care of common complications in bedridden patients [J]. Chinese Nursing Management, 2018, 18(06): 740-747.
[2] Cui Jiayu. Progress in the prevention and nursing of deep
of the lower limbs in elderly patients who are bedridden for a long time [J]. Diet and Health Care, 2018, 5(11): 289-290.