Failure to Diagnose Blood Clots: The Lasting Effects

Deep Vein Thrombosis is only now starting to get the attention it deserves, despite the fact that it has been killing and debilitating hundreds of thousands for years. When the medical community ignores terrible illnesses the priority shifts for how to profit from them. Now, with enough expensive treatments on the market, there is starting to be proper concern.

What still is not receiving the attention it deserves is PTS, or Post-Thrombotic Syndrome. PTS is caused by damage the clot does to the blood vessel and circulatory system before it is properly treated. PTS affects one-third of all people who develop Deep Vein Thrombosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The ramifications of PTS are still being studied, but it can be debilitating, affecting a person’s quality of life and ability to keep a job. Society often has an expectation than once a disease is “cured,” the person who suffered from the disease should just move on with life. Considering how debilitating PTS can be, this is an unrealistic expectation. It can be all but impossible to hold a job while suffering the long-term disabilities that accompany the disease.

If you have suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis, it is important that you monitor yourself for signs of PTS, including:

• Edema
• Pain
• Itching or tingling
• Varicose veins

The doctor who diagnosed your Deep Vein Thrombosis should be monitoring for these symptoms as well, but many people who develop DVT have the initial disease go undiagnosed for a long time. This can make it difficult to trust your doctor to help you prevent or diagnose PTS. If you have developed Deep Vein Thrombosis or Post-Thrombotic Syndrome, it can be difficult to know just how it happened. Common causes include surgical trauma and medication side effects. If you have any questions regarding your health concerns and those of others, contact an attorney to get the answers you need.