“But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don't have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition. Deep vein clots—especially those in the thigh—can break off and travel through the bloodstream.
One of the problems in diagnosing DVT is that many people develop the condition without any symptoms. This usually makes the condition go undetected for a very long time. Individuals who do begin to experience DVT symptoms may experience the following issues: Pain – A common symptom for DVT is pain the calf.
Most blood clots do not cause visible symptoms. Some blood clots can even cause swelling without any visible blood pooling. One example of this is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which typically results in swelling and skin discoloration in the legs. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of your body, usually in your legs, but sometimes in your arm. The signs and symptoms of a DVT include: Swelling, usually in one leg (or arm) Leg pain or tenderness often described as a cramp or Charley horse.
Small blood clots in the calf can sometimes go undetected for several days or weeks, especially if they don't show any symptoms. If left untreated, however, DVT can travel up the veins in the leg to the lungs or other major organs in the body, leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism or similar complication.
Blood clots can cause serious medical conditions that can lead to illness, disability, and even death if not treated early. Blood clots can affect anyone, but certain risk factors such as pregnancy, cancer and its treatment, and hospitalization can increase a person's risk for a blood clot.
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
Exercising With DVT
Overly strenuous exercise while suffering from DVT can cause complications and negatively affect your health. Exercising with DVT should start light, and build up slowly over time. A common exercise regimen involves going for walks every day and gradually adding more time to each walk.
This evaluation, known as Homan's Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there's deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.
Scientists do not know exactly how long it takes for blood clots to move around the body. However, they do know that blood clots tend to come loose within 4 weeks of forming. During this time, the clots are still fragile. Doctors treat PE and ischemic strokes with medications that dissolve blood clots.
Medical conditions that have symptoms similar to DVT blood clots include: Peripheral artery disease. Varicose veins and spider veins. Cellulitis.
The rate of missed diagnosis of lower-limb DVT by US amounts to 50% or so in the patients without symptoms of DVT.
An unexpected clot can lead to serious problems and even death. In an artery, it can give you a heart attack or a stroke. If it happens in a vein, you can feel pain and swelling. A clot deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
You should never ignore DVT. As with any medical condition, complications can develop when you have DVT. One in 10 develop a pulmonary embolism (PE), which happens when a clot in the leg works loose, moving through the bloodstream to the arteries in the lungs.
The diagnostic process can vary depending on the location of the suspected clot. A doctor may ask questions about the person's symptoms and perform a physical examination. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, some typical tests include: ultrasound, which doctors typically use to diagnose DVT.
Living with DVT
It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor about using compression stockings.
Clotting is a necessary process that can prevent you from losing too much blood in certain instances, such as when you're injured or cut. Blood clots usually dissolve on their own.
Exercise can help improve blood flow in the body, and this can be particularly helpful in preventing blood clots from forming. Regular exercise can also help in breaking down existing blood clots. Low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming are recommended as they are less strenuous on the body.
If you are currently being treated for DVT, do not massage your legs. Massage could cause the clot to break loose. If you are scheduled for surgery, ask your surgeon what you can do to help prevent blood clots after surgery. Stop smoking.
Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.
You won't usually need treatment to get rid of the existing clot. Your body should do this by itself. You can usually stay at home to have your DVT treatment. But you may need to be admitted to hospital if you have any complications or certain problems that put you at higher risk.
Leg cramps are a common occurrence that most of us have felt before. Regular muscle cramps will go away pretty quickly by stretching or walking. Crampy feelings in the legs that won't go away or worsen over time are symptoms of DVT. Cramping caused by DVT needs medical attention before it becomes dangerous.
A leg cramp causes pain but not much else. However, the area around a blood clot will feel warm, and the skin may look reddish.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) symptoms can include: Leg swelling. Leg pain, cramping or soreness that often starts in the calf.