If you are at risk for blood clots in their legs, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), certain lifestyle changes can help decrease your chances for developing this potentially life-threatening condition. Recently, Nuvaring side effects, including DVT and pulmonary embolism have been reported in women using the birth control ring.
Deep vein thrombosis occurs typically in the upper or lower leg, when blood flow slows and begins to pool. This can be the result of a variety of causes including inactivity, physical conditions like obesity or pregnancy, or medications like NuvaRing birth control and other combined hormone contraceptives. As blood clots form, a person with DVT may or may not experience any symptoms. The area may feel warm, painful or weak. One leg may look larger and paler than the other.
If this condition is not treated, blood clots may travel up through the bloodstream to the brain, blocking blood vessels in the brain, causing a stroke. Likewise, blood clots can travel into the lungs, blocking blood vessels there, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Doctors will treat deep vein thrombosis using blood thinners to keep the clots from growing and to prevent them from moving up through the body. Clots will usually dissolve on their own. If necessary, however, doctors may use a catheter to remove the clot, or insert a filter in a vein in the abdomen to keep the clot from getting into the heart or lungs. In extreme cases, doctors may use clot-dissolving agent, but there is a risk of causing excessive bleeding.
Most cases of deep vein thrombosis can be treated effectively, but once you’ve had deep vein thrombosis, you have a higher risk of it reoccurring. In addition, research shows that patients who have been treated for DVT successfully may continue to have long-term problems. In one study, 17-50% of patients who had been treated for DVT still had chronic problems within two years of treatment, including leg swelling and pain, inadequate blood flow through the veins, skin ulcers and hardening of an area of the skin.
Given the long-term effects of DVT, taking steps to prevent DVT from developing in the first place is the first line of defense.
Certain risk factors may not be controllable: people who have heart conditions, obesity or high blood pressure are at a higher risk of developing DVT. Still, maintaining good health and stabilizing these conditions can help. Other lifestyle changes can also be beneficial.
If you are a woman using NuvaRing contraceptive and have deep vein thrombosis, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Otherwise healthy women have suffered from Nuvaring blood clot side effects and some have been left with permanent injuries and the inability to use hormone-based products in the future. Some women have suffered strokes leading to permanent disabilities.
Author Resource:
David Whitney is author of this article on Nuvaring Attorney .
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