Blood Clot in Arm: Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies, Exercises

Blood clot can be common. There are various types of blood clots and one of the most known types of blood clot is known as Deep vein thrombosis or DVT. These are caused by blood accumulation in a deep vein within the body. Usually blood clots in arm can be referred to as a DVT blood clot. In this current article we will take a look on the Blood clots in arm and will talk about various causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and home remedies for the same.

Blood clot in arm is the Deep vein thrombosis or DVT where there is an accumulation of blood in the deep veins within the arms. There are various reasons which can cause blood clots in arms, most common causes may be pregnancy in women, prolonged immobility, smoking etc. Though blood clot in arm is not mostly any serious issues and can be treated by certain home remedies when detected in an early stage; sometimes they can be serious.

Actually blood clots are the semi-solid masses of blood and blood clotting is necessary for our body as it helps in stopping bleeding in case we are injured. However, when there is too much of blood clotting it can be dangerous and lead to various complications.

Blood clots can occur in various parts of the body including the legs and arms, lungs, brain, abdomen, heart etc. In our following array of the article we will take a look on some of the common symptoms of blood clot in arm.

“It is important to note down the symptoms and accordingly treat them well!” Now, here we will look on some of the most common symptoms of blood clot in arm.

1. Swelling: One of the symptoms of blood clot in arm is that of swelling. The affected part in your arm will start swelling when there is a blood clot occurring in any of the vein in your arm. At times the entire arm may begin to swell because of inflammation of a vein in the arm.
2. Pain or Soreness: There may be symptoms of pain along with soreness at times when the conditions of blood clots in arm worsen. Though at first the condition may beginning with mild aching in the affected area of the arm, with the condition going worse; there may be severe pain. At times the pain can be as severe as the severe joint pains.
3. Redness and Warmth due to Blood Clot in Arm: If you are suffering from a blood clot in arm, you can also experience symptom of redness and warmth in the affected area of the arm. A warm spot can be noticed in the portion of your arm where there occurred the blood clot. You can also feel like having a burning sensation around the affected area and also at times you might feel like the area is warm when touched. In case of serious blood clots in arm, the area affected can turn red and inflamed.
4. Complications from Blood Clots in Arm: It must be noted there are also conditions which may lead to symptoms where the blood clot in arm may travel in to the lungs via the bloodstream and may cause problems in normal breathing. Patients may begin with cough and may also cough up blood in serious cases. Some patients would also experience chest pain due to blood clots. It is essential to seek an emergency medical help in such cases.

“It is always important to remain informed.” Here are some of the symptoms of blood clot in arm which requires to be noted down for seeking an emergency doctor’s visit.

• In case you experience shortness of breath
• If there is a sudden weakness, numbness in the face, leg or arm
• If you feel persistent pressure or squeezing pain in the middle of the chest
• If the pain in arm extend to other parts of your body, like in back, jaw or shoulders
• In case there is a sudden blurred or reduced or double vision
• In case of chronic headache and dizziness symptoms
• In case there is a severe burning on the soles and palms.
• If there are symptoms of severe redness, swelling, or pain in your arms.

Evaluating the condition of blood clot in arms can be done by your doctor who would require your medical history to know about the factors that might cause the blood clot and will also go for some of the physical examination. In some cases, testing may be required in an immediate way.

Tests that may be essential to diagnose the condition of Blood clot in arm:

• Venous Ultrasound. This is in fact the first step for confirming a venous blood clotting. Here sound waves are used to create a view of your veins in the arms. There may be a use of Doppler ultrasound to visualize the flow of blood through your veins. In case the results of the ultrasound are inconclusive; MR angiography, Venography etc may be used.
• In case of serious complications due to blood clots in arms; you may be required to undergo some other tests including the Chest CT scan, CT scan of the head and abdominal or pelvic CT scan.
• There may be some other additional testing done so as to rule out other conditions or diseases that may show symptoms of blood clots.

Medical treatments are highly essential in case of serious symptoms of Blood clot in arms.

1. Anticoagulation as a Treatment Method for Blood Clots in Arm: Usually the first step of treatment for DVT or deep venous thrombosis is Anticoagulation. This prevents a blood clot from developing and resulting in a pulmonary embolus.
2. Early Therapy for Blood Clots in Arm: Early therapy is also used to treat blood clots, especially the DVT like blood clots in arms or legs. It entails using injectable enoxaparin so as to thin the blood and the blood clots and thus prevent the growth of further complications.
3. Treating Blood Clot in Arms with Warfarin or Coumadin: Coumadin is taken in the form of an anticoagulation pill. This pill takes around 2 days to get to therapeutic levels. Within these 48 hours of treatment, both oral as well as injectable medications are recommended.
4. Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement to Treat Blood Clot in Arm: One more way to treat blood clots in arms or DVTs is known as Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement. This procedure is usually recommended for patients who have a higher risk of blood clots. In this case, a filter is placed in to your vein in the arms so as to help you prevent the blood clot fragments from travelling via the veins to lungs or heart.

Apart from all these treatment procedure, you must note down that it is essential for you to visit a doctor on a regular basis and tell whether your treatments or medications require any modification so as to treat blood clots in arms.

Here are some of the home remedies for blood clots in arm:

1. Herbal Tea as a Home Remedy for Blood Clot in Arm: Tea prepared from Yarrow leaves can be used as an essential home remedy for treating blood clots.
2. Garlic: You can also lower your risk of getting blood clots and also will thin the blood with a simple home remedy of taking about 3-5 garlic cloves regularly. Garlic cloves improve blood circulation to all parts and thus help in reducing blood clots.
3. Diet: Checking your diet can reduce symptoms of blood clots in arm naturally: It is essential for you to take proper diet so as to prevent the formation of blood clots. Taking a fibrous diet helps in prevent the blood from thickening. Make sure your diet contains a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, corn, almonds, peanuts, seeds of sunflower and walnuts which contain greater level of Vitamin E; which in turn helps in thinning the blood and prevents blood clots occurring in veins, like the blood clots in arms. Make sure you are avoiding fatty and sugary foods which lead to clogging of veins and other blood vessels and increasing the chances of growing blood clots.
4. Encourage Movements of Arms to Reduce Symptoms in Blood Clots in Arm: If you have been resting your arms due to any reason; it is the time now to get engaged in various activities which would lead you to go for movements of arms.
5. Check your Lifestyle and Treat Blood Clots in Arms Naturally: Make a note that you need to shed some weight so as to reduce your chances of growing blood clots.

“Prevention is better than cure!” Obviously the most common proverb from literature used in medicine:

Here below are some of the most crucial steps of prevention for Blood clots in arm.

• Maintain a healthy weight to prevent blood clots in arm
• Quit smoking and prevent blood clot formation
• Go for regular exercises
• Drink plenty of water can prevent blood clot formation
• It is essential for you to take blood thinners and wear pressure stockings as prescribed by your physician in case you have an history of blood clots.

“When the condition looks tough, go for a tough solution. Beat it up with Exercise!” In this section we will take a look on some of the most effective exercises for reducing the symptoms of Blood clot in arm. It is essential to do each of the following mentioned exercises for at least 10-15 seconds, in each direction or perform each stretch 3-4 times per one session.

1. Wrist and Ankle Exercises: Draw circles in the air with your toes and finger, rolling your ankles and wrists; by holding your legs and arms steady. First do it in one direction and then in the other so as to reduce stress and enhance blood circulation
2. Arms and Trunk: It is essential for you to give your arms and trunk a good stretch by reaching up over your head and by extending your fingertips away from your body and holding the same.
3. Head and shoulders: You must focus on exercising head and shoulders too. While standing or sitting straight; turn your head and look towards right, then turn your head and look towards left, pointing your nose toward each shoulder as much you can without discomfort. Make sure you avoid this stretch if you have problems in neck
4. All muscles stretch: You can reduce the blood clots by improving the free circulation of blood and easing tension once you are going for tensing and relaxing of different muscle groups. Curling your arms toward body aids you in tensing your biceps.

Now we are known to some of the ways one can treat or reduce the symptoms of blood clots in arm. You can follow the above mentioned home remedies in case of mild symptoms of blood clots in arms. However it is essential for you to go for a strict doctor’s visit on immediate basis in case of severe symptoms of blood clots in arms.

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