A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Phlebitis

I had a question the other day about phlebitis.

Phlebitis means inflammation of a vein.

It’s due to a blood clot in a vein.

It usually happens in leg veins, but it can happen in your arm.

The clot in the vein causes pain and irritation and may block blood flow.

Phlebitis can happen in your surface veins or in your deep veins.

Superficial phlebitis affects veins on the skin surface, is rarely serious and, with proper care, usually resolves quickly.

Deep vein phlebitis affects the larger blood vessels deep in your legs.

Large blood clots can form, which may break off and travel to your lungs.

This is a serious condition called pulmonary embolism.

Some risk factors for phlebitis include the following:

>Prolonged inactivity – Staying in bed or sitting for many hours, like in a car or on an airplane.

>Sedentary lifestyle – Not getting any exercise.

>Obesity.

>Smoking cigarettes.

>Certain medical conditions (cancer or blood disorders) that increase the clotting potential of your blood.

>Injury to your arms or legs.

>Hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills.

>Pregnancy.

>Varicose veins.

Superficial phlebitis symptoms include:

>Usually a slow onset of a tender red area along the superficial veins on your skin.  A long, thin red area may be seen as the inflammation follows a vein.

>The area may feel hard, warm, and tender.  The skin around the vein may be itchy and swollen.

>The area may begin to throb or burn.

>Symptoms may be worse when your leg is lowered, especially when first getting out of bed in the morning.

>A low-grade fever may occur.

>Sometimes phlebitis may occur where an intravenous line was started.

>If you have an infection, symptoms may include redness, fever, pain, swelling, or breakdown of the skin.

Deep vein phlebitis symptoms include:

>You may have pain and swelling throughout your entire limb.  For example, one side of your lower leg may swell for no apparent reason.

>You may have a fever from a bacterial infection and skin discoloration.

Call your health care provider if you have signs and symptoms of swelling, pain, and inflamed superficial veins on your arms or legs.

If you’re not better in a week or two, get reevaluated to make sure you don’t have a more serious condition.

To deal with phlebitis at home it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily to hydrate and flush toxins.

*Increase exercise and movement as much as possible.

*Increase stress and relaxation techniques:  yoga, meditation, prayer, deep breathing, etc.  Consider energy medicine.

*Address emotional connections.

*Increase fresh air, sunshine, connect with nature.

*Increase essential fats (flax oil, olive oil, Omega-3 oils).

*Increase fresh, raw fruits and veggies (organic when possible).

*Consider fresh juicing; consume fresh garlic and onions.

*Increase fiber intake; ensure good bowel function; avoid constipation; consider liver and/or colon cleanse.

*Consider an arterial cleansing program.

*Investigate use of herbs (hawthorn, valerian).

*Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride and homocysteine levels.

*Decrease toxic exposures of all kinds (food and environmental).

*Decrease “hidden allergies”.

*Decrease any and all hydrogenated, trans fats, deep-fried foods, margarine, fast foods, etc.

*Decrease sugar, sweets, white flour products, processed foods.

*Understand and control diabetes.

*Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, soda pop.

*Decrease stress.

*Decrease excess weight, particularly around your mid-section.

*Understand your medications and possible side effects.

*Understand your family history and address any concerns.  Practice preventive measures.

*Investigate possible connection to dental procedures; consult a holistic dentist.

*Eliminate MSG and all artificial sweeteners as they are neurotoxins.

*Decrease processed meats, deli meats (nitrates).

*Avoid constipation.

*Elevate your legs.

Recommendations:

It is essential to use:  VitaLea, Protein, CoQHeart, Vitamin E, VitalMag, Lecithin, OmegaGuard, Alfalfa, Vivix.

It is important to use:  Mental Acuity, B-Complex, CorEnergy, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc.

It is beneficial to use:  DTX, Herb-Lax, Fiber, Optiflora, CarotoMax and/or FlavoMax.

email:  lenayphillipps@gmail.com

PS:  If you have any questions about phlebitis, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.