The blood vessels are important in the body. They carry the blood that contains oxygen and nutrients needed by the different tissues and cells in the body. Since the blood vessels work throughout the day, they are prone to damage and certain diseases.
For instance, the lumen of the blood vessel can narrow due to the presence of cholesterol plaques. When the narrowing of the blood vessel isn’t controlled, it could lead to potentially fatal diseases like hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
Other conditions may lead to the formation of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome. Another blood vessel disease that may lead to the formation of blood clots is May Thurner syndrome.
What is it?
May Thurner syndrome (MTS) occurs when there is compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV), which may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MTS happens due to the narrowing of the vein that runs from the left leg to the large vein in the abdominal area, which goes straight to the heart.
What are its symptoms?
The symptoms of the May Thurner syndrome include leg swelling and pain. However, most people with MTS do not show any symptom at all, notes Veniti. Smaller veins that bypass the narrowed one become enlarged and can accommodate the blood flow effectively. Other symptoms may emerge due to the presence of complications like chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
The May Thurner syndrome is treatable. There are many treatment options the patient can choose from, and all are effective in treating the condition. The doctors may also prescribe blood thinners to the patient to prevent the formation of blood clots.
The efficacy and success of treating MTS depend on how early the condition was diagnosed. Early diagnosis is important for this disease to prevent the occurrence of complications, which can be life-threatening. Thus, detecting the symptoms early on is important.
