Deep Vein Thrombosis can occur without symptoms, but in many cases the affected limb will become painful, swollen, red, uncomfortable, and distended, full of blood. It can be a medical emergency, so when you consult a deep vein thrombosis specialist Melbourne area experts will check several factors that can increase the risk of a medical emergency.
Do You Have DVT?
Deep Venous Thrombosis (or DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms inside a vein, usually in the thigh or calf. Often, the existence of a deep vein thrombosis does not cause any pain or symptoms. However, if deep vein thrombosis blocks blood flow completely (or even partially), there may be lots of swelling and pain, making moving around difficult.
In severe cases, a blood clot can breaks off within the leg and travels through the blood to the heart or lungs. Suddenly severe symptoms may appear, and may even result in the death of the person if not treated within a period of a few hours. That’s why it’s vital to quickly recognize the symptoms.
1. Leg pain. With large blood clots, pain and tenderness can occur in the affected leg, especially when standing, climbing stairs, or walking.
2. Inflammation. Swelling, especially around the affected area (eg, thigh or calf) can occur with a clot that is getting worse.
3. Hot, Painful Skin. Another common sign that manifests in the affected leg is skin that is warm or hot to the touch, and most times too painful to move.
4. Discoloration. The leg with the blood clot can also turn red and display patches of discolored skin that develop along the muscle of the thigh or calf.
5. Pain in the chest. Often, blood clots cause acute chest pain due to restricted breathing – especially if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.
Testing For Deep Vein Thrombosis
The most used diagnostic test for the diagnosis of DVT includes a blood test called D-Dimer and Doppler ultrasound of affected veins. Sometimes, other tests are required to find the cause of DVT. In certain cases, doctors will attempt to break the clot with medicines.
Many patients do not even notice a severe thrombosis at first. This is especially dangerous because the blood clot that has caused the deep vein thrombosis can move again. Doctors typically use a combination of pharmacological and physical measures to treat DVT, but taking healthy aging steps to reduce the chance of a blood clot forming in a vein can help you avoid potentially serious problems.
