Three Ways a Leg Elevation Pillow Can Help Ease the Symptoms of DVT

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can cause pain, swelling, redness and discoloration of the legs. While this condition can be life-threatening, many patients who discover the condition early are diagnosed as low-risk and can easily manage their symptoms.

If you’re at risk for DVT, a leg elevation pillow can significantly ease your symptoms and even prevent blood clots from forming in the first place. Read on to learn about the dangers of DVT and how elevating legs can help treat this condition.

What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot deep in the veins of the lower legs. Often underdiagnosed, DVT can affect anyone and can cause disability, illness or even death.

Blood clotting is an important process, but when it occurs deep in the veins and can’t dissolve naturally, it can create dangerous situations. A blood clot can detach and travel to the heart and lungs where it can get stuck and halt blood flow. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, and it is a life-threatening condition.

Both DVT and PE affect an estimated 300,000 to 600,000 people in the United States each year. Factors that create a greater risk of developing DVT include:

• Being older or overweight
• Having a history of blood clots
• Being pregnant
• Having cancer
• Being immobile
• Injuring a vein
• Undergoing knee or leg surgery

Knowing who is at risk and being aware of the signs of DVT can save your life and help you take a proactive approach to preventing DVT.

Symptoms of DVT

DVT can go undiagnosed because some individuals don’t experience any symptoms. However, some symptoms that are associated with DVT include leg pain or swelling, skin that is red or feels warm and discoloration of the skin.

If you suspect you have DVT, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor will closely examine your medical history to see if you are at risk of DVT, give you a physical and perhaps use an ultrasound or a D-dimer test to check for blood clotting problems.

How a Leg Elevation Pillow Can Alleviate DVT Symptoms

Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, being proactive about preventing blood clots is wise — especially if you have a family history of blood clots. Using the Lounge Doctor™ the help with leg elevation is your best option because it’s the only leg pillow specifically designed to elevate your legs correctly.

Here are just a few ways that the Lounge Doctor™ leg elevation wedge can ease your DVT symptoms and potentially prevent blood clots from forming in the legs:

Improves Circulation

When blood doesn’t flow properly, it can cause blood to pool in our lower legs. This increases the chance of blood platelets sticking together and forming a dangerous blood clot in the legs.

To reduce your risk of developing DVT, improving leg circulation is critical. A leg elevation pillow can increase the venous blood flow in the veins by keeping them above the heart, encouraging blood to flow back to the heart and lungs. This can help dissolve blood clots faster or even prevent clots in general.

Improving your circulation will also have the added benefit of reducing the pain and tenderness you may feel in your legs. When you lower venous pressure, the result is less pain and discomfort. A leg elevation pillow can easily be incorporated into your daily routine and used while watching television, reading or simply resting.

Keeps Legs Higher Than Your Heart

Elevating your legs above your heart is key to improving leg circulation. However, not everyone elevates their legs properly.

A leg elevation pillow that is designed to improve venous circulation ensures that you elevate your legs properly, keeping them higher than your heart and in the correct position. If you’ve been relying on your couch or an old pillow to ease pain in your legs, you’ll probably notice a dramatic difference in your symptoms once you use a specially-designed leg elevation pillow.

Reduces Swelling

Leg elevation is a proven technique for reducing painful swelling in the legs. Fluid can build up in our lower legs because its fighting a losing battle against gravity. When using the Lounge Doctor™, legs are elevated properly, and fluid can flow back towards the heart in order to spread evenly throughout the body once again.

DVT can have serious, life-threatening complications when left untreated. Even if you are diagnosed as low-risk, being proactive about treatment can make all the difference. By employing both at-home remedies, lifestyle changes and the medications prescribed by your doctor, you can take steps to reduce your risk of DVT.