Medically often known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT, blood clots can type in any a part of the physique, however often happen within the thigh, pelvis, or decrease leg.
When part of a clot breaks free and travels to the lungs the place it result in a blockage, it’s known as a pulmonary embolism or PE.
That is immediately an emergency room scenario that can’t be ignored or delayed.
In in the present day’s video, we have a look at 10 indicators that provide you with a warning to a blood clot within the legs. Video on the backside of this text
We additionally reveal one “hidden” situation that causes blood clots, and how one can stop them.
Swelling within the legs could be a signal of a blood clot (or thrombus), particularly if different residence therapies for irritation, resembling hot and cold compresses, can’t ease the symptom. The dense tissue and bone on this a part of the physique makes it tough to interrupt down or take up clots naturally. In the event you expertise unexplained swelling in your calf, ankle, or higher leg, search medical consideration instantly.
Quantity 9. Redness of Pores and skin.
There are numerous causes an individual’s pores and skin turns into crimson, resembling solar publicity or an allergic response. If the redness is accompanied by darkish patches, it might be a clot. These clots might get larger over time for no purpose. When you have redness that lingers after an damage or surgical procedure, see a health care provider.
Quantity 8. Heat Pores and skin.
The pores and skin round a blood clot turns into heat to the contact and will even radiate warmth. If the symptom persists and the chilly compress doesn’t assist, see a health care provider. Heat pores and skin will also be accompanied by tingling and throbbing sensations.
Quantity 7. Tenderness.
The pores and skin surrounding the clot might turn into sore, or delicate to the contact. Moreover acute ache, this symptom incessantly requires people to depend on their different leg to alleviate the discomfort, which may result in muscle and joint pressure.
Quantity 6. Elevated Coronary heart Fee.
When a blood clot within the leg grows bigger, the physique goes into overdrive to get rid of it. Very important organs should work more durable, leading to an increase within the coronary heart fee. The next coronary heart fee can produce its personal signs, resembling shortness of breath and chest pains. A racing coronary heart that can’t be attributed to bodily exercise or different acknowledged causes needs to be assessed by a doctor.
Quantity 5. Fever.
When a blood clot detaches and enters the bloodstream, some individuals develop a fever. This fever could also be accompanied by chills, shivering, sweating, complications, weak spot, dehydration, fatigue, and physique aches. In extreme instances, the fever might shoot very excessive, leading to temper adjustments, confusion, and different psychological anomalies.
Quantity 4. Distended Veins.
Generally, distended or swollen veins could also be an indication of a blood clot. Clots that turn into massive can compress the encircling blood vessels. Individuals with varicose veins have an elevated danger of growing blood clots within the deep veins of the leg.
Quantity 3. Fainting.
Fainting is commonly related to low blood sugar or dehydration, however it will also be an indication of a blood clot. When a blood clot blocks the circulation of oxygenated blood to the mind, it’s possible you’ll really feel dizzy or faint. If the blood clot strikes to the lungs, you could have respiratory signs. Many individuals are unaware {that a} blood clot may cause an individual to faint. This will result in a misdiagnosis.
Quantity 2. Fatigue.
When a clot grows bigger, the physique’s pure protection mechanisms go into overdrive to get rid of it. This will dissipate plenty of vitality and sources, leaving an individual feeling drained. Even after sleeping, an individual should really feel drained and weak. When you have unexplained fatigue, it might be an indication of a blood clot, particularly you probably have ache, swelling, and redness within the affected space.
No 1. No Signs.
No signs might seem in about half the instances of blood clots within the leg till the clot detaches and turns into lodged within the lungs. There’s a restricted time interval when medical doctors can deal with or take away the clot earlier than it causes lethal penalties resembling pulmonary embolism.
These embody low blood oxygen ranges, shortness of breath, speedy coronary heart fee, ache within the chest, low-grade fever, and low blood strain.
Contact a health care provider as quickly as a number of signs seem. If caught early sufficient, therapies resembling anticoagulants and thrombolytics will be administered, which can break up the clot earlier than it causes any critical harm.
The CDC estimates that fifty% of those that survive a blood clot expertise could have long-term penalties for the remainder of their lives. And one third could have one other clot inside 10 years of the primary one.
When blood clots harm the valves within the vein, they trigger a situation known as post-thrombotic syndrome or PTS. Signs of PTS embody swelling, ache, discoloration, and, in extreme instances, scaling or ulcers within the affected a part of the physique. Generally, these signs will be so extreme that an individual turns into disabled.
Subsequent, this situation that causes deep vein thrombosis is basically ignored.
The situation often known as excessive blood viscosity not solely will increase your danger of DVT, it additionally places you at increased danger for coronary heart illness, excessive ldl cholesterol, stroke, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Having excessive blood viscosity signifies that your blood could be very thick and sticky. This makes it more durable in your coronary heart to pump blood and will increase the friction on the within of your veins.
As blood circulation turns into sluggish, the quantity of oxygen and vitamins delivered to your cells and organs is decreased.
To study your blood viscosity, you’ll be able to request a whole blood rely out of your physician.
A examine from Edinburgh College in the UK, confirmed conclusively that raised blood viscosity is not less than as essential as blood strain and “dangerous” ldl cholesterol in predicting demise by coronary heart assault.
In different phrases, the standard of your artery partitions isn’t the one factor that issues, the standard of your blood issues too.
Nevertheless, during the last twenty years, mainstream drugs has been obsessive about decreasing levels of cholesterol by means of statin medicine, whereas largely ignoring excessive blood viscosity and the deadly blood clots it will probably trigger.
One easy option to repair that is to get loads of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are pure anti-inflammatories, which suggests they assist scale back irritation. Additionally they gradual blood clotting and skinny the blood.
It needs to be talked about that DVT within the leg, pelvis, and generally arm, does NOT trigger coronary heart assault or stroke.
The blood clot in an artery within the coronary heart or mind, often known as arterial thrombosis, is what causes a coronary heart assault and stroke.
Keep away from sporting tight clothes, particularly when touring.
Throughout lengthy intervals of journey, take time to maneuver or stretch.
Elevate your legs not less than 6 inches above the extent of your coronary heart on daily basis.
Hold your ft flat on the ground whereas sitting, don’t cross your ankles.
Transfer round for not less than half-hour on daily basis.
Take into account graduated compression stockings if you’re in danger for blood clots.
Watch out of affect accidents to your legs and arms.
In the event you’re a girl taking contraception, ask your physician about non-hormonal choices.
Remove extra sodium out of your weight loss program. This implies avoiding processed meals. (See our video, Prime 5 meals that CAUSE hypertension.)
Hold well-hydrated and drink loads of water. Stop smoking.