Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Name of the Disease or Disorder: Deep Vein Thrombosis Why was this disease named this way (History of the disease)?: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition where a blood clot, also known as a Thrombus, develops deep in the veins, usually in the legs. The first documented case of a DVT was in the 13th century. Later in the 1700s, DVTs were occurring in more post-partum women and many believed that the increase in occurrences was a because of a lack of breast feeding and as a result the women’s legs would swell due to milk buildup in the legs. Therefore breast feeding was highly encouraged to decrease DVT’S or what was considered “milk leg”. Etiology: (description of the cause of the disease, what organs/tissue are affected, what happens to the normal physiology (pathophysiology)?) Deep Vein is mainly caused by a combination of the slowing of the blood and increased clotting in the blood, although there are other factors that can cause clotting such as trauma. Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) came up with Virchow’s Triad which includes Hypercoagulability (increased clotting), Hemodynamic Changes (slowing of the blood), and Endothelial injury/dysfunction (trauma). It occurs more in males than women and in those 60 years of age and older. Causes: * Prolonged immobilization, such as bed rest or sitting for a long time when traveling via car or plane. * Fracture or injury to the lower extremity, this can occur when tissue mixes with blood. * After a major surgery to a lower extremity such as a knee or hip replacement. * Pregnancy can increase clotting in the blood because the body wants to decrease the chances of postpartum bleeding. * Central venous catheters or pacemaker insertion * Family history * Obesity * Blood disorders * Congestive Heart Failure * Cancer DVTs usually develop in the leg veins and
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