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Thrombophlebitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Thrombophlebitis is swelling (inflammation) of a vein caused by a blood clot .

Alternative Names:

Phlebitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Sitting for a long period of time (such as on a long airplane trip) increases a person's risk of thrombophlebitis.

Disorders that increase a person's chance for blood clots also lead to thrombophlebitis. The two main types of thrombophlebitis are superficial thrombophlebitis (affects veins near the skin surface) and deep venous thrombosis (affects deeper, larger veins).

• Review Date: 5/24/2006
• Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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