Before you can proceed to the decision that you have a blood clot in your leg, it is necessary to understand how and what is a blood clot. The clot is a clump of blood which changes from its liquid state to semi solid state. Clotting is a necessary procedure, as it helps in losing excessive blood in situations such as when you have an injury or cut.
When there is a formation of blood clot in the vein, it does not dissolve or disappear on its own. In such cases, it is dangerous and leads to a life-threatening situation. Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is the name given to such scenario, and the clots formation often occurs in the deep veins of the body. Although it is possible to happen in any part of the body, the most common occurrence happens in legs.
How Can You Tell If You Have A Blood Clot In Your Leg?
As the most common region for the occurrence of the blood clot, the deep vein thrombosis condition, occurs in the legs, one may tell if they have a clot in the leg with the help of the following symptoms:
- Swelling of leg
- Tenderness of the skin
- Leg pain
- Warm sensation
- Pale or bluish discoloration.
The symptoms of blood clot in the leg can vary from one to another. Apart from this, they also change depending on the size of the clot in the veins. For example, a clot that is small in size may not show any symptom or pain. A clot that is medium in size can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. As it is possible for a clot to grow in size when untreated, an individual will experience a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening situation.
Risk Factors That Increase the Blood Clots in Leg
Several factors exists that pose a threat to the growth of blood clots in the legs, which develops deep vein thrombosis or DVT condition. For instance, an extended stay in the hospital especially after a major surgery puts an individual at high risk in the formation of blood clot. The risk factor further increases if the operation is related to brain, kidney, and hip.
Common factors which have a moderate effect in increasing the risk of formation of the blood clot in the leg include:
- Age – especially if the individual is about 60
- Travel time – long journeys without a break, where an individual does not have any movement in the legs
- Sedentary lifestyle and bed rest
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Excessive use of tobacco products
- Family history of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots
- Symptoms that relate to heart attack and cancer
- Use of contraceptive pills
- Undergoing hormone therapy.
Seeking Medical Assistance
It is difficult to tell the presence of blood clot in the legs with the symptoms explained above. However, as they are the signs that can cause deep vein thrombosis or DVT when untreated, seeking medical assistance will be of immense help in avoiding the formation of blood clots in the first stage. Another instance that anybody can keep in mind is the symptoms that arise out of nowhere, which includes:
- Sudden development in shortness of breath
- Pressure in the chest
- A sudden rise in the condition where it is difficult to speak, breathe or see.
The physician will also perform additional tests using ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI to confirm the presence of blood clots in the legs. Depending on the results, the physician possesses the clarity on the presence of clots in the veins.
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