6 Major Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

6 Major Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be a serious medical condition that results in blood clots forming in the veins in the body. The blood clots can move through the veins and get themselves lodged in the lungs, which can become fatal. Here are the telltale symptoms of DVT that you should stay aware of.

Cramping and Throbbing in One Leg
Cramping is a common problem that can be because of overexertion or dehydration. However, in such cases, both leg cramp. When it comes to cramping and throbbing because of DVT, both legs are rarely affected. When only one leg cramps and throbs, you should consider this as among the telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis.

Swelling
When the present blood clot is large, it starts damaging the vein it is attached to. This reduces blood flow to the areas around the vein and this results in swelling of the legs, which is also referred to as edema. Again, one of the telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis is swelling that occurs in just one leg and not in both.

Warmness Around Calf or Thigh
Two of the most common areas where DVT can occur are the thighs and calf muscles. When there is lodging of a blood clot in one of the veins in these areas, it disrupts blood flow; this results in the sudden backflow of blood to the heart and this can make the skin feel warm when touched.

Sore Skin
The swelling and the disrupted blood flow in the legs can make the skin painful and sore to touch. If one of your legs looks swollen and it pains when you touch a particular area, there is a high chance this is because of a lodged blood clot.

Hyperpigmentation of Skin
Because of the lodged blood clot, the pressure of blood flow through the veins is forced. This causes the breakdown of the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) as they pass through the veins in a high-pressure environment. This can result in the skin looking hyperpigmented or discolored.

Skin Ulcers Around the Thigh and Calf
Another painful sign in the list of the telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis is skin ulcers. Because of the constant breakdown of the RBCs and the high pressure of blood flow, the skin starts breaking and getting dry and flaky. This, when left untreated, can result in skin ulcers that are painful and itchy.

All these telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis tell you that you should be visiting your doctor right away for treatment. Leaving a DVT unattended can get dangerous. It is very easy to break down the clot when it is caught at the right time. Losing weight and staying active will help you not be at a higher risk of developing DVT.