The panic over the pandemic has increased due to an alarming rise in the cases around us once again, even after more than one year of its onset.
Research shows COVID influences abnormal formation of blood clots inside vessels which may lead to extreme swelling and near fatal conditions of Pulmonary Embolism for the masses susceptible to Deep Vein Thrombosis during pandemic.
Excessive and abnormal formation of blood clots in the blood vessels is a condition known as Thrombosis.
It is an often undiagnosed and untreated condition with serious consequences if left ignored. There exist up to fifteen different types of thrombosis which affect different parts of the human body. One of the most asymptomatic amongst them is called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
One of the major causes leading to higher cases of Deep Vein Thrombosis these days is due to the negative consequences of the lockdown. Covid-19 virus is inflammatory and procoagulant in nature, increasing Deep Vein Thrombosis risk in Covid-19 patients.
In fact, many people do not understand that thrombosis reveals this infection.
There are three major factors which might lead to clot formation.
A change in the constituents of blood, due to ingestion of certain kinds of oral contraceptives; damaged blood vessels, possibly caused by certain surgeries or pressure in the blood vessels and disturbance in the pattern of the blood flow, which leads to stagnation of blood in the arteries or veins.
Apart from these major risk factors, there are certain situations due to which patients may be at risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis.
These include immobility, obesity, dehydration, increased age, and diseases like COVID. However, the fear of getting infected and the growing burden of the COVID cases on the healthcare system has disrupted crucial non-COVID treatment.
Highlighting the importance of timely treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis during the current pandemic, the incidence of thrombotic events is on the rise.
It is important to be practical and understand that hospitals have protocols in place for patient safety. Patients have more to fear from delayed diagnosis of vascular diseases than of the consequences of contracting COVID.
While there are multiple options for treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis, certain lifestyle changes also play a crucial role in prevention and effective management of Deep Vein Thrombosis.
(Dr Varinder Singh Bedi is a Vascular Surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi.)
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