Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- References
- Credits
Home treatment for deep vein thrombosis focuses on safety while taking anticoagulants, such as warfarin, because of the higher risk for bleeding.
Anticoagulant treatment for a first episode of deep vein thrombosis usually lasts for at least 3 months. Anticoagulant medicines are heparin and warfarin. When you take anticoagulants, you need to take extra steps to avoid bleeding problems.
Heparin. If you take heparin:
Warfarin. If you take warfarin:
- Get regular blood tests.
- Prevent falls and injuries.
- Eat a steady diet, and pay attention to foods that contain vitamin K.
- Tell your doctors about all other medicines and vitamins that you take.
For more information, see:
Elevating your leg or wearing
compression stockings may also help reduce the pain
and swelling that can occur with deep vein thrombosis. See a slideshow about how to put on compression stockings 
.
Your doctor may recommend that you take walks 5 or 6 times a day, if possible. Walking may help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with deep vein thrombosis.
Even if you are healthy and have a low risk of blood clots, sitting still for a long flight or road trip raises your risk of getting blood clots. If you already have a blood clot risk, prolonged sitting raises your risk even more. Learn about preventing blood clots from long periods of travel.
If you are already at high risk for deep vein thrombosis, talk to your doctor before taking a long trip.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: January 5, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
- After chemo hair loss, 'henna crowns' help heal
The iVillage Network