Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot blocks a vein in the leg, preventing blood from returning properly to the heart and causing symptoms such as leg swelling and severe pain in the affected area.
If you are thinking of developing venous thrombosis in your leg, select your symptoms and find out what the risk is:
- There are still cases where the clot is very small and does not cause symptoms.
- Disappearing over time and without treatment.
However, whenever venous thrombosis is suspected, hospital should be seen to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment, as some clots can also move and affect important organs, such as the lung or brain, for example.
Diagnosis of thrombosis should be made as soon as possible, so it is advisable to go to the hospital or emergencies whenever a clot is suspected in the leg.
Diagnosis is usually made from an assessment of symptoms and some diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, angiogram, or a CT scan, that help locate the clot. In addition, the doctor also usually orders a blood test, called a D-dimer, which is used to confirm or rule out a suspected thrombosis.
People with deep vein thrombosis are more likely to have deep vein thrombosis:
In addition, people who must remain immobilized in bed for more than 3 months also have an increased risk of developing a clot and having deep vein thrombosis.
Pregnant women, those who have recently had mothers, or women undergoing hormone replacement or using hormonal contraception, such as the pill, also have a slight risk of thrombosis, as hormonal changes can interfere with the viscosity of blood, facilitating the development of a clot.
See what are the 7 most common side effects of hormonal remedies like the pill.