What Causes Phlebitis?

Prolonged Periods Of Inactivity

It turns out prolonged periods of inactivity may increase the risk of getting phlebitis. There are various reasons why you would stay inactive for a long time. Sometimes it may be due to hospitalization or old age, and other times, it is due to traveling or just being lazy. Either way, doctors advise patients to walk for a few minutes during the day, as doing so will help strengthen your muscles and allow proper circulation of blood.

Staying inactive brings about obesity in individuals. Obesity is a risk factor associated with varicose veins, which as we know can result in thrombophlebitis. A sedentary lifestyle is killing as many as twenty to thirty percent of phlebitis patients. A blood clot may accidentally separate itself and move within the deep veins to the lungs. It causes pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition. Clots block the movement of blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

Insertion Of Intravenous Catheters

Sometimes when a patient is sick, the doctors may insert intravenous catheters. The catheter is a small flexible tube with a syringe at the end to help direct it to the peripheral vein. Most doctors and nurses place it on the patient's arm.

As much as it is a useful technique to administer medication directly, it possesses various health risks to the patients. Even a small mistake can lead to phlebitis. Most times the tube irritate the veins at the place of insertion. The veins are sensitive to osmolality, acidic, and alkaline solutions. Administering medications with such solutions may irritate the veins of the patient. Vein trauma occurs during the insertion.

It is essential to keep on changing the site of injection. Using the wrong size of the tube also increases the risk of developing phlebitis. Whenever you notice redness, tenderness, warmth, and puffiness on the region of insertion, alert the caregivers immediately. The doctors ought to stop the infusion process as fast as possible.