{"id":1046,"date":"2018-04-13T08:51:50","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T08:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1046"},"modified":"2021-10-07T06:50:30","modified_gmt":"2021-10-07T06:50:30","slug":"10-common-dvt-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/10-common-dvt-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Common DVT Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"DVT is also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis, and it affects more people every year than you might have thought. According to the CDC, deep vein thrombosis might be a condition that affects as much as 900, 000 people each year \u2013 that\u2019s one to two for every thousand people. Of those statistics, as much as 60 to 100, 000 of those cases per year have an unfortunately fatal result. That\u2019s not a statistic anyone would want to be part of.<\/p>\n

It can be prevented, but only if you and your loved ones know what to look for. Some of the symptoms might seem obvious, but others can easily be mistaken for others \u2013 and you should always know what to look for if you have your family\u2019s best interests at heart. Here\u2019s a closer look at the ten most common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, also known as venous thromboembolism.<\/p>\n

Defining DVT<\/p>\n

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood flow through the body slows down: This could be due to multiple reasons, including a side-effect of certain medications, a sign or symptom of other health conditions, or sometimes an after-effect of long periods of inactivity such as sitting completely still on a seven-hour flight.<\/p>\n

In short, the slowing down of blood flow causes clotting of the blood. These clots form in the veins, commonly in the legs, and once these clots are suddenly released, the real danger starts as it can find its way through to your heart, lungs, or brain in an instant. This is potentially fatal, and it could lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and embolisms. (Yes, that\u2019s also why it\u2019s never advised to massage a blood clot: Instead, seek immediate medical attention should you suspect that you or someone else has a blood clot.<\/p>\n

1. Asymptomatic DVT: The dangers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before talking about the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis<\/a>, it\u2019s vital to note that sometimes deep vein thrombosis is completely asymptomatic. This means that at least thirty percent to half of reported deep vein thrombosis cases show no symptoms at all to warn of the impending danger.<\/p>\n

The only way to catch asymptomatic DVT would be its prevention: Go to your doctor for regular check-ups and scans to make sure your general health is in tip-top shape; keep an eye on the contraindications and side-effects of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications you take to know if DVT can be a potential worry; exercise regularly and follow a healthy, natural diet overall \u2013 your body will thank you! It\u2019s also vital to \u201cstretch your legs\u201d as the common saying goes: Every ten or fifteen minutes, remind yourself of the importance of taking a stretch and get the blood flowing in your legs by moving around.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Pain in the legs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pain in the legs is one of the most common symptoms mentioned by deep vein thrombosis patients, and often the first one they noticed before they knew what condition they were dealing with. Pain in the legs is a general term and can be attributed to a range of other medical conditions, least of all arthritis<\/a>. But the leg pain associated with deep vein thrombosis is described as a pain that more often feels like a cramping, and medical resources like MayoClinic note that the pain is often reported to begin in the calf and spread from there.<\/p>\n

The leg pain has also been described as persistent throbbing pain, and it could be more intense when needing to put pressure on your leg to stand up or walk. If the pain you\u2019re experiencing is in any way unusual to you and can\u2019t be attributed to anything else \u2013 like, for example, arthritis \u2013 or the pain has been persisting for a while, it\u2019s strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention!<\/p>\n

One of the examination tests for DVT is known as Homan\u2019s sign: Sharp pain experienced by the patient in the popliteal fossa, located at the back of the knee joint when the knee is bent. Interesting and good to know!<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Swelling in the legs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With the associated pain, throbbing, or cramping that comes with a potential case of DVT, you might also experience swelling<\/a> or redness in the affected body part. The swelling occurs because of the lack of proper blood flow due to the blood clot blocking off the flow of blood through the blood-stream. Swelling and hotness in the legs can be treated with the application of heat pads, which improve the overall blood flow to the legs \u2013 and they\u2019re generally recommended for DVT aftercare.<\/p>\n

Most often, a simple ultrasound examination is enough to spot a blood clot in the body \u2013 and luckily it\u2019s one of the least invasive procedures. If that doesn\u2019t do it, the dye is injected into the affected veins and a scan (called venography) is then done to catch the potential clot. Blood clots can also be seen through an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) if further testing is necessary.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Heat<\/h3>\n

Uncomfortably persisting heat and redness is also a commonly mentioned symptom of deep vein thrombosis by patients who have experienced a blood clot<\/a>. The heat is more often than not localized, occurring only in the affected spot where the blood clot is located \u2013 and the feeling usually occurs only in one limb rather than both.<\/p>\n

This might also be accompanied by the associated redness and pain mentioned earlier on this list, and it may or may not cause pins and needles and swelling further down \u2013 remember that the condition causes the clotting of blood and thus the ceasing of vital blood flow to a certain area of the body.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s natural to think that cold should be applied to something that feels hot \u2013 but heat compresses have been more successful when it comes to treating the symptoms associated with DVT. Why? Cold tends to make things constrict, while heat will improve blood flow and instead cause the arteries to dilate \u2013 the desired effect.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Itching and rash<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Itching and an inexplicable rash, appearing like nothing more than a slight allergic reaction, can be another warning sign of deep vein thrombosis and an impending embolism. Itchiness and a rash is something that\u2019s very easy to ignore, or simply confused with another health condition like allergies, though many patients have reported that their rash was, in fact, a sign of DVT instead. Especially if you have a prior history of DVT<\/a>, you want to get any strange symptoms checked out by a medical professional immediately.<\/p>\n

If your doctor has assumed that itching and rash is simply an allergy and prescribed something for it, but it refuses to go away, it might be time to seek a second opinion: Yes, doctors are humans like the rest of us and sometimes they make mistakes just like anyone else. If you experience any other symptoms on this list and you think your doctor might have misdiagnosed your condition, seek a second opinion immediately.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Numbness or tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Numbness<\/a> or tiredness in the affected limb can also be a presenting symptom of deep vein thrombosis. This can present your legs feeling like you\u2019ve just run a hundred-mile marathon even though you\u2019ve been sitting down for the past hour; the numbness can also feel like a tingling to some, or a feeling commonly described as \u201cpins and needles\u201d. In the case of deep vein thrombosis, it\u2019s the blood clot cutting off circulation to the remainder of the limb \u2013 hence the feeling of tingling, numbness, or tiredness.<\/p>\n

Never ignore a persisting symptom of ill-health, even if you think it\u2019s something you\u2019ve seen before. It\u2019s extremely dangerous to self-diagnose a medical condition, and you should never assume you know what\u2019s going on under the skin. Numbness, tiredness, redness, and swelling associated with DVT are most often experienced only on one side \u2013 for example, only in the left leg or only in the right arm.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Family and medical history<\/h3>\n

Your family and medical history could offer you some more clues to how prone you are to be affected with deep vein thrombosis or not. If you\u2019ve had previous problems with the coagulation of blood, you have previously experienced deep vein thrombosis already, you have a prior family history or you are currently taking medication which affects blood coagulation, you might be at a higher risk of developing DVT. The risk of DVT also increases if you are inactive for long periods of time, like sitting at a cubicle or driving in a car.<\/p>\n

There are other medical conditions also associated with DVT which can put you at a higher risk. These include lung disease (and, of course, whether or not you\u2019re a smoker!), infection, certain autoimmune diseases, and cancers<\/a>. Treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, are also believed to increase your potential risk factor, as is having had recent surgery.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Other signs and symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As we\u2019ve already mentioned, deep vein thrombosis can manifest itself in a completely asymptomatic way and might not be picked up until you visit your doctor or go for a scan. Many times it\u2019s spotted by accident when getting scanned for a completely different procedure. Sometimes for a totally unrelated condition:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s estimated that as much as half of deep vein thrombosis cases will be asymptomatic<\/a>. But it can also manifest with symptoms that haven\u2019t been mentioned on this list.<\/p>\n

Everybody\u2019s symptoms are different, and everybody experiences pain in a different way: And, while we don\u2019t like to admit it, a lot of us just ignore our symptoms and try to push through the day until they go away. Any symptom should be treated with extreme care \u2013 always!<\/p>\n

Other signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis could include varicose veins, and you might be able to physically feel the blood clot in your leg \u2013 compare it to, almost, a knot in a muscle.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Signs of a pulmonary embolism<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pulmonary embolism<\/a> (also known as PE) is described as a blockage occurring in an artery located in the lung; this, in short, can be caused by deep vein thrombosis and is what happens when a blood clot from another area of the body releases itself, travels through the blood-stream and ends up in the lungs.<\/p>\n

This is the real danger of a blood clot, and a pulmonary embolism is something that requires immediate medical attention or it will prove to be fatal.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism occurring can include sharp, stabbing chest pain, the feeling of a tight chest, and lightheadedness; it might also extend to experiencing heart palpitations or a headache.<\/p>\n

Obviously, many of these symptoms can be associated with conditions that aren\u2019t deep vein thrombosis and they can just as easily be confused with something else \u2013 but, if it is DVT, you\u2019d much rather visit your doctor and know than put yourself at risk, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n

\"\"10. DVT Treatments<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The old clich\u00e9 happens to be true and prevention is more often much better than cure: Deep vein thrombosis can be prevented with regular visits to the doctor, following a healthy and natural diet, having a regular exercise routine and making sure that you never sit in the same spot for too long \u2013 so always stretch your legs every fifteen or twenty minutes, like when you are riding the bus, taking a long plane trip or have an office job where you are confined to sitting down for hours at a time.<\/p>\n

Medical treatments for deep vein thrombosis include the administering of anticoagulant drugs like aspirin<\/a> \u2013 though under controlled, medical circumstances; this should not be considered a home treatment.<\/p>\n

Mayoclinic notes that blood thinners aren\u2019t given to break up already existing blood clots, but taken to stop further blood clots from forming; they also note that further blood thinners might be prescribed after your doctor\u2019s visit \u2013 according to them, these might need to be taken for several months afterward.<\/p>\n

Thrombolytic drugs can also be given in an emergency situation; these are drugs that break up existing blood clots from deep vein thrombosis which are still lodged in a vein. Thrombolytic drugs are also sometimes prescribed for other conditions, such as heart attacks or strokes.<\/p>\n

An IVC filter, also known as an interior vena cava filter, might also be inserted into a vein (usually through the abdomen) to prevent a pulmonary embolism from occuring.<\/p>\n\r\n

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