What are the symptoms of phlebitis?

What are the symptoms of phlebitis? Simply put, phlebitis is an inflammation of the veins, which usually causes local pain, redness, swelling and warmth. Veins are the "pipes" in our bodies that carry blood from all parts of the body back to the heart. Once they have problems, the body will send out some warning signals.

Let's first talk about the common symptoms of phlebitis. The most obvious is pain, which is usually a constant dull or tingling pain, especially when walking or standing, which may worsen. Next is redness and swelling. The skin around the inflamed vein will appear red and accompanied by swelling. This phenomenon is medically known as the "red line sign" because it looks like a red line extending along the vein. There is also fever, not just fever all over the body, but local fever, which feels hotter than the surrounding skin. Furthermore, when touching an inflamed vein, it may feel like touching a hard rope, which is the "cord-like" characteristic of phlebitis.

There are many causes of phlebitis, the most common of which are trauma, infection, and prolonged immobility. For example, if you sit on an airplane or at a desk for a long time, blood flow slows down, blood clots are easily formed, and then phlebitis occurs. Some improper injections of drugs may also cause phlebitis. These reasons may sound a little worrying, but in fact, we can effectively prevent them by making some simple adjustments to our lifestyle.

If you suspect you may have phlebitis, it is wisest to seek medical attention promptly. Doctors usually confirm the diagnosis through physical examination and some simple imaging tests. If phlebitis is confirmed, treatment mainly includes anti-inflammatory drugs, hot compresses, and elevation of the affected limb to relieve symptoms and promote recovery. For some severe cases, anticoagulant therapy may be required to prevent thrombosis.

Although phlebitis sounds scary, as long as we pay more attention and maintain good living habits, we can effectively reduce the risk of its occurrence. For example, when sitting for a long time at work, remember to get up and walk around every once in a while to keep the blood flowing smoothly. For some high-risk groups, regular physical examinations are also a good choice. Through these small efforts, we can protect our venous health and make life more relaxed and comfortable.