5 Early Warning Symptoms Of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is caused by the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins of the body. The clots may form in one or more veins. DVT generally occurs in the legs. This disorder results due to other underlying medical conditions that affect how the blood clots in the body. DVT can also occur due to lack of movement, such as after an accident, surgery, or prolonged bed rest. DVT often has multiple early warning signs that can help in early diagnosis and treatment.

  • Swelling
    This is one of the most common and evident signs of deep vein thrombosis. Swelling occurs in the area where the blood clot has occurred. This is usually in one of the legs, especially in the calf area. With blood clotting occurring in the vein, the normal flow of blood is hindered. This causes the nearby muscles to swell. The swelling may occur suddenly without any external injury or bruising.
  • Pain or soreness
    With the blood clot stuck in a vein, there is an obstruction to normal blood circulation. This may lead to pain in the affected area. In most cases, the pain occurs in the leg and begins from the calf area. Sometimes, pain may also be experienced in the ankle, foot, or arm. Some may also experience cramping of the muscles and soreness in the affected area. Pressing or massaging the sore and cramped areas may aggravate the pain.
  • Redness
    Another tell-tale sign of deep vein thrombosis is redness of skin in the affected area. In some cases, there can be discoloration of the skin. This happens due to a lack of blood in the affected area. The blood does not flow in a regulated manner through the affected vein due to the presence of the clot. The blood may accumulate near the clot as it slowly tries to trickle through. This may lead to redness or discoloration of the skin. The affected area may also become warm or feel tender.
  • Bluish or whitish skin
    Deep vein thrombosis is caused by clotting of blood in the middle of a vein. The clot plugs up the affected vein. This causes the vein to turn bluish or even appear discolored under the surface of the skin. The blood clot also causes damage to the surrounding blood vessels. This makes the skin appear bluish or whitish. In some cases, multiple veins may be affected. This is evident when multiple veins appear blue under the skin. The veins begin to look like a spider’s webs.
  • Enlarged veins
    Due to deep vein thrombosis, the blood is unable to flow and circulate through the affected vein. This may cause the vein to swell and enlarge. The enlarged vein will trigger pain, soreness, and cramping. It may also cause the surrounding muscles to swell and appear reddish.

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