Early Warning Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is caused due to blood clots in the veins. This is an outcome of the slow movement of blood through the body. In DVT, a blood clot is formed in one of the deeper veins and can be largely found in areas like the lower leg, pelvis, or thighs. It can occur in other body parts as well.
DVT could lead to a plethora of health complications and sometimes prove fatal too. Some symptoms of DVT are similar to any other health complications. However, more often than not, it largely happens in the legs and does not show any symptoms. The risk factor is certainly high for those who are above the age of 50. Furthermore, people who indulge in smoking and drinking are highly susceptible to it. In addition, if the person sits for a long period of time and does not have a healthy food habit, then they are all the more susceptible to DVT. Listed below are some of the early warning signs and symptoms of DVT.
1. Swelling
There is mild to heavy swelling in one or both the legs. You find that the swelling does not reduce even after resting your feet sufficiently.
2. Tenderness and skin that is extremely soft
You notice tenderness in your ankle, foot, and leg. Many have reported this symptom even in their arms. The tenderness turns to pain, and you are unable to get rid of it.
3. Warm skin
The skin on the leg is warm, and the thermometer always shows an elevated temperature, especially around the ankle region.
4. Discoloration
Veins in the feet are predominantly red, swollen, and are either hard or soft.
5. Pain in the chest
One can experience pain in the chest or tightness accompanied by rapid and irregular breathing. Many people have also reported intense pain while breathing.
6. Pain in the limbs
There is severe pain around the shoulder, arm, and jaws.
In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, one may also experience profuse coughing, spitting blood in the process. Furthermore, the skin turns red or blue.
When a blood clot breaks free, there is a high chance that it might travel to the lungs. This is referred to as pulmonary embolism, and similar to DVT, it may show absolutely no symptom. When it comes to DVT, people might just shrug-off leg pain. However, this has proven to be the most tell-tale symptom of DVT. In addition, DVT could affect any age group, although the high-risk category is those above the age of 40. Therefore, it is best to watch for these early warning signs, and if you have any other comorbid issues, perhaps it is wise to be more careful.