Does pain from DVT come and go. What are the symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis. How can you differentiate DVT from other conditions with similar symptoms. What are the risk factors for developing DVT. How is DVT diagnosed and treated.

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Its Symptoms

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in deep veins, typically in the legs. The symptoms of DVT can be subtle and may mimic other conditions, making it crucial to understand its presentation and seek medical attention promptly.

The primary symptoms of DVT include:

• Unequal swelling, with one leg appearing larger than the other
• Pain or tenderness when standing or walking
• Warmth in the affected area
• Red or discolored skin

Does DVT pain fluctuate? While DVT pain can be persistent, it may also come and go, especially during movement or rest. This variability in pain patterns can sometimes lead to confusion or delayed diagnosis.

Risk Factors for Developing DVT

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing DVT:

1. Injury to a vein
2. Prolonged immobility (e.g., bed rest, hospitalization, long flights)
3. Paralysis
4. Hormonal factors (birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy)
5. Chronic diseases (heart disease, lung disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases)
6. Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
7. Obesity
8. Recent surgery
9. Inherited blood clotting disorders

How can you assess your risk for DVT? Consult with a healthcare provider to evaluate your personal risk factors and discuss preventive measures if necessary.

Distinguishing DVT from Similar Conditions

Several conditions can present with symptoms similar to DVT, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Understanding these conditions can help in seeking appropriate medical care.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral Artery Disease occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed due to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow. While PAD shares some symptoms with DVT, there are key differences:

• Pain, numbness, or heaviness in legs during walking
• Cramps in feet, legs, or buttocks
• Sores or wounds on feet or legs that heal slowly
• Pale or bluish-colored skin
• Temperature difference between legs

How does PAD differ from DVT in terms of urgency? While PAD is not typically a medical emergency like DVT can be, it requires management to prevent complications such as gangrene and increased risk of heart disease.

Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Varicose veins and spider veins are common conditions that affect superficial veins, unlike DVT which occurs in deep veins. These conditions are generally less serious than DVT but can cause discomfort and cosmetic concerns.

Symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Throbbing or cramping in legs
• Itchy lower legs or ankles
• Aching, painful legs
• Heaviness in legs

Spider veins, a smaller version of varicose veins, appear as web-like patterns on the skin, usually in blue or reddish colors. They are primarily a cosmetic concern and do not pose significant health risks.

How can you differentiate between varicose veins and DVT? Varicose veins are visible on the skin’s surface and rarely lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism, which is a risk with DVT.

Cellulitis: A Potentially Serious Skin Infection

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can mimic some symptoms of DVT. It requires prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications.

Key symptoms of cellulitis include:

• Red, swollen, warm, and sensitive skin
• Chills and fever
• Nausea and drowsiness
• Cognitive difficulties
• Red streaks, bumps, or sores on the skin

How can you distinguish cellulitis from DVT? While both conditions can cause redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area, cellulitis often presents with additional systemic symptoms like fever and chills, which are less common in DVT.

Vasculitis: Inflammation of Blood Vessels

Vasculitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation can reduce blood flow to organs and tissues, leading to various symptoms depending on the affected blood vessels.

Key points about vasculitis:

• There are nearly 20 different types of vasculitis
• It’s often associated with autoimmune diseases
• Symptoms vary widely depending on the type and affected areas
• Causes may include genetic factors, medications, infections, and environmental triggers

How does vasculitis differ from DVT in its presentation? Vasculitis typically affects multiple areas of the body and may cause systemic symptoms, while DVT is usually localized to one leg and primarily causes local symptoms.

Acute Arterial Occlusion: A Medical Emergency

Acute arterial occlusion occurs when an artery becomes suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. This condition is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Symptoms of acute arterial occlusion include:

• Sudden, severe pain in the affected limb
• Paleness or bluish discoloration of the limb
• Coldness in the affected area
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness or paralysis of the limb

How does acute arterial occlusion differ from DVT? While both conditions involve blood clots, acute arterial occlusion affects arteries rather than veins and typically causes more sudden and severe symptoms than DVT.

Lymphedema: Swelling Due to Lymphatic System Dysfunction

Lymphedema is a condition characterized by swelling in one or more extremities due to a blockage in the lymphatic system. While it can resemble DVT in some aspects, there are key differences.

Characteristics of lymphedema include:

• Gradual onset of swelling
• Heaviness or tightness in the affected limb
• Restricted range of motion
• Recurring infections in the affected area
• Hardening and thickening of the skin (in advanced stages)

How can lymphedema be distinguished from DVT? Lymphedema typically develops gradually and may affect both legs, while DVT often has a more rapid onset and usually affects only one leg.

Diagnosis and Treatment of DVT

Accurate diagnosis of DVT is crucial for proper treatment and prevention of complications. Healthcare providers use a combination of clinical assessment, imaging studies, and blood tests to diagnose DVT.

Diagnostic Approaches for DVT

• Physical examination and medical history review
• Duplex ultrasound imaging
• D-dimer blood test
• Venography (in some cases)
• CT or MRI scans (for complex cases)

What is the gold standard for DVT diagnosis? Duplex ultrasound is considered the primary diagnostic tool for suspected DVT, offering high accuracy without radiation exposure.

Treatment Options for DVT

Treatment for DVT aims to prevent the clot from growing, reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism, and prevent recurrence. Common treatment approaches include:

1. Anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners)
2. Compression stockings
3. Elevation of the affected limb
4. Thrombolytic therapy (in severe cases)
5. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters (for patients who cannot take blood thinners)

How long does DVT treatment typically last? The duration of treatment varies depending on the individual case, but often continues for at least 3-6 months, with some patients requiring longer-term management.

Preventing DVT: Lifestyle Modifications and Risk Reduction

While not all cases of DVT can be prevented, several strategies can help reduce the risk of developing this condition:

• Maintain regular physical activity
• Stay hydrated, especially during long travels
• Avoid prolonged periods of immobility
• Manage underlying health conditions effectively
• Quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight
• Consider compression stockings for high-risk situations
• Follow prescribed anticoagulation therapy if recommended by your healthcare provider

How effective are these preventive measures? While no single strategy guarantees prevention, combining multiple approaches can significantly reduce the risk of DVT, especially in high-risk individuals.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

Given the potential seriousness of DVT and its complications, it’s crucial to know when to seek medical attention. While DVT itself can be serious, the most dangerous complication is pulmonary embolism (PE), which occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs.

Signs of Pulmonary Embolism

Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness or fainting

How quickly should you seek medical attention for suspected PE? Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Don’t delay seeking care if you experience these symptoms, especially if you have risk factors for DVT.

When to Consult a Healthcare Provider for Suspected DVT

While not all leg pain or swelling indicates DVT, certain signs warrant medical evaluation:

• Unexplained swelling in one leg
• Pain or tenderness in the leg, especially when standing or walking
• Warmth in a specific area of the leg
• Redness or discoloration of the skin on the leg
• Recent long periods of immobility (e.g., long flights, bed rest)
• Personal or family history of blood clotting disorders

Is it necessary to seek emergency care for suspected DVT? While DVT itself is not typically an immediate emergency, prompt evaluation is important to prevent complications. If you suspect DVT, contact your healthcare provider or seek urgent care for assessment.

Living with DVT: Long-term Management and Quality of Life

For individuals who have experienced DVT, long-term management is crucial to prevent recurrence and maintain overall health. This often involves a combination of medical management and lifestyle adjustments.

Long-term Anticoagulation Therapy

Many patients require ongoing anticoagulation therapy to prevent future clots. The duration and type of therapy depend on individual risk factors and the cause of the initial DVT.

• Regular monitoring of blood coagulation levels
• Adjusting medication dosages as needed
• Managing potential side effects of anticoagulants
• Considering alternative anticoagulation options if necessary

How does long-term anticoagulation therapy impact daily life? While it requires regular medical follow-ups and careful management of bleeding risks, many patients successfully integrate anticoagulation therapy into their routines with minimal disruption.

Lifestyle Modifications for DVT Management

Adopting certain lifestyle changes can complement medical treatment and improve overall vascular health:

1. Regular exercise, especially leg-strengthening activities
2. Maintaining a healthy weight
3. Quitting smoking
4. Managing underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
5. Avoiding prolonged periods of immobility
6. Using compression stockings as recommended
7. Staying hydrated

How effective are lifestyle changes in preventing DVT recurrence? While not a substitute for medical treatment, these modifications can significantly reduce the risk of future DVT episodes and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Coping with Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

Some individuals who have had DVT may develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a long-term complication that can cause chronic leg pain, swelling, and skin changes. Managing PTS involves:

• Consistent use of compression stockings
• Leg elevation
• Regular exercise to improve circulation
• Pain management strategies
• Skin care to prevent ulcers

What is the prevalence of post-thrombotic syndrome after DVT? Studies suggest that up to 50% of patients with DVT may develop some degree of PTS, though severe cases are less common.

Advances in DVT Research and Treatment

The field of DVT research is dynamic, with ongoing studies aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Some notable areas of advancement include:

Novel Anticoagulants

Research into new anticoagulant medications aims to provide more targeted therapy with fewer side effects and easier management:

• Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with improved safety profiles
• Anticoagulants with reversible effects for emergency situations
• Medications that target specific coagulation factors

How do these new anticoagulants compare to traditional treatments? Many newer anticoagulants offer advantages such as fewer drug interactions, no need for regular blood monitoring, and potentially lower bleeding risks.

Improved Diagnostic Techniques

Advancements in imaging and laboratory testing are enhancing the accuracy and speed of DVT diagnosis:

• High-resolution ultrasound technologies
• Magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI)
• Advanced D-dimer assays with higher specificity
• Point-of-care testing for rapid diagnosis

How do these diagnostic advances impact patient care? Improved diagnostic techniques can lead to earlier detection and treatment of DVT, potentially reducing complications and improving outcomes.

Personalized Risk Assessment and Prevention Strategies

Researchers are developing more sophisticated tools for assessing individual DVT risk and tailoring prevention strategies:

4 Conditions With Similar Symptoms to DVT

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Varicose Veins
• Spider Veins
• Cellulitis
• Vasculitis
• Acute Arterial Occlusion
• Necrotizing Fasciitis
• Nephrotic Syndrome
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Lymphedema
• Venous Stasis
• Acute Compartment Syndrome
• Superficial Thrombophlebitis
• More

You may have DVT, deep vein thrombosis, if you notice that one limb is swollen, painful, warm, and red. But many other things can cause similar symptoms. Some of them, like minor cuts, fractures, or sprains, are relatively harmless, and others are more serious. You’ll need to see a doctor to find out what’s going on and what treatment is needed. Learn about some of these conditions below.

You can get DVT at any age, and several things can cause it. Some of them are:

• Injury to a vein
• Anything that immobilizes you, such as bed rest, hospitalization, recovery from an injury
• Paralysis
• Birth control pills
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Pregnancy
• Chronic diseases like heart disease, lung disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
• Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
• Obesity
• Surgery
• A blood clotting disease that you inherit

DVT normally affects just one leg. Symptoms include:

• Unequal swelling, where one leg is larger than the other
• Pain or tenderness when you stand or walk
• Warmth
• Red or discolored skin

About half of people who get DVT won’t have any signs. You may not know you have a clot unless a piece of it breaks off and travels to your lung. That’s a medical emergency called a pulmonary embolism. Call 911 right away if you have:

• Shortness of breath
• Pain when you take a deep breath
• Coughing up blood
• Racing heart rate
• Rapid breathing

You get this when the arteries in your legs become hard and narrow. In PAD, plaque builds up in the arteries. Over time, it can block blood flow to your arms and legs. When this condition affects veins instead of arteries, it’s called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Some of the symptoms are:

• Pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in your legs when you walk
• Cramps in your feet, leg, or butt
• Sores or wounds on your feet or legs that don’t get better
• Pale or bluish-colored skin
• One leg feels cooler than the other.

PAD isn’t a medical emergency, but lack of blood flow to your legs can cause serious problems like gangrene. That’s when the tissue in your leg dies.

You’ll also have a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But when you make changes to manage your condition, you’ll lower your chances of getting those, too. The same risks that lead to heart attacks and strokes also cause PAD. They include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Unlike DVT, these appear just beneath the surface of your skin. You get them when the valves inside your veins become weak or damaged. Normally, the valves help blood flow to your heart. When they don’t work right, blood pools inside your veins. They swell and become large and rope-like. That’s another difference from DVT — the surface-level clots that come with varicose veins are uncommon and don’t usually break free and travel to your lungs. When DVTs do this, it’s called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal.

If you have varicose veins, you’ll notice:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Throbbing or cramping in your legs
• Itchy lower legs or ankles
• Achy, painful legs
• Heaviness in your legs

Varicose veins aren’t serious. Talk to your doctor about treatments.

These are a smaller type of varicose veins. They affect your capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in your body.

You’re most likely to get these on your legs or face. They look like a spider web or the branches on a tree. They’re usually a blue or reddish color. You may not like how they look, but they don’t cause any medical problems.

And because they’re like varicose veins, spider veins also differ from DVT because they’re close to the surface and don’t tend to break free and move into your lungs.

Here, bacteria infect the skin. The first signs can mirror DVT, with skin that’s red, swollen, warm, and sensitive to the touch. Other possible symptoms, like chills, fever, nausea, drowsiness, and trouble thinking, are less likely in DVT. The same goes for the red streaks, bumps, or sores that might appear on your skin.

Get care right away if you notice these signs, because it can be very serious if you don’t treat it.

It’s inflammation of the blood vessels. This can lessen essential blood flow to your organs and other tissue. There are almost 20 versions of the disease, but all seem to happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue (autoimmune disease). Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, though possible triggers appear to include genes, medication, infection, environment, allergies, and other illnesses.

Symptoms vary by person and the type of disease, but may include:

• Rashes or skin lesions (more than just the swelling and darkening in DVT)
• Pain: Aches in your muscles, belly, joints, or head (uncommon in DVT except in affected limb)
• Lack of appetite and weight loss (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness and fever (uncommon in DVT)
• Blurry vision, eye pain, and redness (uncommon in DVT)
• Ear or sinus problems that don’t go away (uncommon in DVT)
• Shortness of breath and coughing (could cough up blood)
• Tingling, numbness, weakness, and nerve pain (neuropathy) (uncommon in DVT)
• Bloody or dark-colored urine (could be kidney problems) (uncommon in DVT)

It means a blocked artery, and it typically happens in a previously open blood vessel that shows signs of plaque (atherosclerosis) or other damage, or that doctors previously repaired with a stent or graft.

The artery becomes blocked in one of two ways:

• It slowly narrows to a close as plaque builds up
• Tiny networks of blood vessels in the plaqued walls of an artery tear, and the blood and fluid form a clot.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in the affected limb gets gradually worse and spreads slowly toward the trunk of your body. (DVT pain tends to center on thrombosis.)
• The skin of the limb is typically cool to the touch. (DVT typically warms the skin.)
• Skin looks pale and patchy because of lack of blood supply to the skin’s surface. (DVT typically reddens skin.)
• Skin can blister as the condition worsens. (uncommon in DVT)
• You and your doctor may not be able to feel a normal pulse in the affected limb. (uncommon in DVT)
• Burning or prickling sensation, typically in the legs, feet, hand or arms (possible, but uncommon, in DVT)

Also known as “flesh-eating disease,” it’s a life-threatening infection that spreads quickly and kills the body’s soft tissue (muscle, fat, and tissue connecting muscle to bone). Injury or surgery can create a break in the skin that may lead to infection if the right bacteria are around.

If you’re healthy, have a strong immune system you’re unlikely to get it. It’s treated with antibiotics through a vein, along with surgical removal of infected tissue. Early symptoms can include:

• An area of skin where redness, warmth, or swelling spreads quickly
• Serious pain, including beyond the skin obviously affected
• Fever (uncommon in DVT)

Later symptoms might include:

• Changes in skin color
• Blisters or black spots on skin (uncommon in DVT)
• Liquid or pus oozing from sores (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness, dizziness, diarrhea, or nausea

It’s a kidney illness that causes your body to pass too much protein when you pee. It’s typically due to damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys (glomeruli) that filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. A number of conditions can cause this damage, including diabetic kidney disease, amyloidosis, glomerulosclerosis, and lupus. Typical symptoms include:

• Swelling from fluid buildup (edema), especially around ankles, feet, and eyes, often on both sides (instead of just one in DVT)
• Foamy urine, a result of excess protein in your urine (uncommon in DVT)
• Weight gain due to fluid retention (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness (uncommon in DVT)
• Loss of appetite (uncommon in DVT)

Heart failure means the heart doesn’t pump as well as it should. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a type that happens when blood flows too slowly out of the heart. This causes a backup of the blood trying to return to the heart and lungs for more oxygen.

The pressure causes a buildup of fluid (edema) that can collect, most often in the legs and ankles, but other areas as well. CHF also could increase the work of your kidneys, which often leads to edema. The swelling could mirror DVT, but it typically happens in both legs instead of just one as in DVT.

Fluid that collects in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can cause shortness of breath that mirrors the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism that can happen with DVT. Symptoms typically worsen when you lie down.

It typically happens when doctors remove or damage one or more of your lymph nodes — small glands that help get rid of fluid, waste, and germs — as part of cancer treatment. This stops fluid from draining, and that causes arms, legs, feet, and other areas to swell. There’s no cure, but your doctor can help you manage it with movement exercises, massage, and bandages that push on swollen areas.

As with DVT, lymphedema often causes swelling or tightness in all or part of an affected limb. Also like DVT, symptoms are sometimes so mild that you don’t notice. Unlike DVT, the swelling can often include your fingers or toes. Other symptoms include:

• A feeling of heaviness in affected legs (uncommon in DVT)
• A hard time moving as freely
• A general aching or discomfort (DVT pain tends to center on a specific area)
• Infections that repeat (uncommon in DVT)
• Skin that hardens and thickens (fibrosis)

It’s when blood pools in the veins. It happens when the valves in your veins stop working properly, so the blood moves backward and collects. This pushes fluid into nearby tissue, which can cause swelling and irritation that looks like DVT. Over time, this inflammation can start to break down tissue and lead to sores or “ulcers” on the surface of the skin (uncommon in DVT).

You may feel full, achy, and tired in your legs, and it may get worse when you stand. You also might notice varicose veins on the skin of your legs.

Your muscles group together in your arm, leg, hand, or foot, along with blood vessels and nerves. Each group is enclosed in tissue (fascia), and together, they make up a “compartment.”

When the pressure builds up inside one of these compartments, it can cause swelling and tenderness that mirror symptoms of DVT. Unlike DVT, acute compartment syndrome typically happens soon after a sudden injury like a fracture. Other possible causes include a serious burn that scars skin or surgery to repair a blocked blood vessel. You may also notice:

• Tightness in affected muscle
• Intense pain, especially if you stretch muscle (more than expected for injury)
• Tingling or burning feeling
• Numbness or weakness (may be signs of permanent damage)

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and requires treatment right away.

This happens when a blood clot forms in a vein just under your skin. If you have it, you may have:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Warmth
• Redness

These symptoms are much like those of DVT, but unlike a DVT, it happens close to the surface, not deep within your body.

About 20% of people who have this condition also get a blood clot in their leg. Call your doctor if you notice anything unusual. They’ll check to see what’s going on.

Top Picks

4 Conditions With Similar Symptoms to DVT

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Varicose Veins
• Spider Veins
• Cellulitis
• Vasculitis
• Acute Arterial Occlusion
• Necrotizing Fasciitis
• Nephrotic Syndrome
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Lymphedema
• Venous Stasis
• Acute Compartment Syndrome
• Superficial Thrombophlebitis
• More

You may have DVT, deep vein thrombosis, if you notice that one limb is swollen, painful, warm, and red. But many other things can cause similar symptoms. Some of them, like minor cuts, fractures, or sprains, are relatively harmless, and others are more serious. You’ll need to see a doctor to find out what’s going on and what treatment is needed. Learn about some of these conditions below.

You can get DVT at any age, and several things can cause it. Some of them are:

• Injury to a vein
• Anything that immobilizes you, such as bed rest, hospitalization, recovery from an injury
• Paralysis
• Birth control pills
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Pregnancy
• Chronic diseases like heart disease, lung disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
• Family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
• Obesity
• Surgery
• A blood clotting disease that you inherit

DVT normally affects just one leg. Symptoms include:

• Unequal swelling, where one leg is larger than the other
• Pain or tenderness when you stand or walk
• Warmth
• Red or discolored skin

About half of people who get DVT won’t have any signs. You may not know you have a clot unless a piece of it breaks off and travels to your lung. That’s a medical emergency called a pulmonary embolism. Call 911 right away if you have:

• Shortness of breath
• Pain when you take a deep breath
• Coughing up blood
• Racing heart rate
• Rapid breathing

You get this when the arteries in your legs become hard and narrow. In PAD, plaque builds up in the arteries. Over time, it can block blood flow to your arms and legs. When this condition affects veins instead of arteries, it’s called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Some of the symptoms are:

• Pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in your legs when you walk
• Cramps in your feet, leg, or butt
• Sores or wounds on your feet or legs that don’t get better
• Pale or bluish-colored skin
• One leg feels cooler than the other.

PAD isn’t a medical emergency, but lack of blood flow to your legs can cause serious problems like gangrene. That’s when the tissue in your leg dies.

You’ll also have a greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. But when you make changes to manage your condition, you’ll lower your chances of getting those, too. The same risks that lead to heart attacks and strokes also cause PAD. They include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Unlike DVT, these appear just beneath the surface of your skin. You get them when the valves inside your veins become weak or damaged. Normally, the valves help blood flow to your heart. When they don’t work right, blood pools inside your veins. They swell and become large and rope-like. That’s another difference from DVT — the surface-level clots that come with varicose veins are uncommon and don’t usually break free and travel to your lungs. When DVTs do this, it’s called a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal.

If you have varicose veins, you’ll notice:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Throbbing or cramping in your legs
• Itchy lower legs or ankles
• Achy, painful legs
• Heaviness in your legs

Varicose veins aren’t serious. Talk to your doctor about treatments.

These are a smaller type of varicose veins. They affect your capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in your body.

You’re most likely to get these on your legs or face. They look like a spider web or the branches on a tree. They’re usually a blue or reddish color. You may not like how they look, but they don’t cause any medical problems.

And because they’re like varicose veins, spider veins also differ from DVT because they’re close to the surface and don’t tend to break free and move into your lungs.

Here, bacteria infect the skin. The first signs can mirror DVT, with skin that’s red, swollen, warm, and sensitive to the touch. Other possible symptoms, like chills, fever, nausea, drowsiness, and trouble thinking, are less likely in DVT. The same goes for the red streaks, bumps, or sores that might appear on your skin.

Get care right away if you notice these signs, because it can be very serious if you don’t treat it.

It’s inflammation of the blood vessels. This can lessen essential blood flow to your organs and other tissue. There are almost 20 versions of the disease, but all seem to happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue (autoimmune disease). Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, though possible triggers appear to include genes, medication, infection, environment, allergies, and other illnesses.

Symptoms vary by person and the type of disease, but may include:

• Rashes or skin lesions (more than just the swelling and darkening in DVT)
• Pain: Aches in your muscles, belly, joints, or head (uncommon in DVT except in affected limb)
• Lack of appetite and weight loss (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness and fever (uncommon in DVT)
• Blurry vision, eye pain, and redness (uncommon in DVT)
• Ear or sinus problems that don’t go away (uncommon in DVT)
• Shortness of breath and coughing (could cough up blood)
• Tingling, numbness, weakness, and nerve pain (neuropathy) (uncommon in DVT)
• Bloody or dark-colored urine (could be kidney problems) (uncommon in DVT)

It means a blocked artery, and it typically happens in a previously open blood vessel that shows signs of plaque (atherosclerosis) or other damage, or that doctors previously repaired with a stent or graft.

The artery becomes blocked in one of two ways:

• It slowly narrows to a close as plaque builds up
• Tiny networks of blood vessels in the plaqued walls of an artery tear, and the blood and fluid form a clot.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in the affected limb gets gradually worse and spreads slowly toward the trunk of your body. (DVT pain tends to center on thrombosis.)
• The skin of the limb is typically cool to the touch. (DVT typically warms the skin.)
• Skin looks pale and patchy because of lack of blood supply to the skin’s surface. (DVT typically reddens skin.)
• Skin can blister as the condition worsens. (uncommon in DVT)
• You and your doctor may not be able to feel a normal pulse in the affected limb. (uncommon in DVT)
• Burning or prickling sensation, typically in the legs, feet, hand or arms (possible, but uncommon, in DVT)

Also known as “flesh-eating disease,” it’s a life-threatening infection that spreads quickly and kills the body’s soft tissue (muscle, fat, and tissue connecting muscle to bone). Injury or surgery can create a break in the skin that may lead to infection if the right bacteria are around.

If you’re healthy, have a strong immune system you’re unlikely to get it. It’s treated with antibiotics through a vein, along with surgical removal of infected tissue. Early symptoms can include:

• An area of skin where redness, warmth, or swelling spreads quickly
• Serious pain, including beyond the skin obviously affected
• Fever (uncommon in DVT)

Later symptoms might include:

• Changes in skin color
• Blisters or black spots on skin (uncommon in DVT)
• Liquid or pus oozing from sores (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness, dizziness, diarrhea, or nausea

It’s a kidney illness that causes your body to pass too much protein when you pee. It’s typically due to damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys (glomeruli) that filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. A number of conditions can cause this damage, including diabetic kidney disease, amyloidosis, glomerulosclerosis, and lupus. Typical symptoms include:

• Swelling from fluid buildup (edema), especially around ankles, feet, and eyes, often on both sides (instead of just one in DVT)
• Foamy urine, a result of excess protein in your urine (uncommon in DVT)
• Weight gain due to fluid retention (uncommon in DVT)
• Tiredness (uncommon in DVT)
• Loss of appetite (uncommon in DVT)

Heart failure means the heart doesn’t pump as well as it should. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a type that happens when blood flows too slowly out of the heart. This causes a backup of the blood trying to return to the heart and lungs for more oxygen.

The pressure causes a buildup of fluid (edema) that can collect, most often in the legs and ankles, but other areas as well. CHF also could increase the work of your kidneys, which often leads to edema. The swelling could mirror DVT, but it typically happens in both legs instead of just one as in DVT.

Fluid that collects in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can cause shortness of breath that mirrors the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism that can happen with DVT. Symptoms typically worsen when you lie down.

It typically happens when doctors remove or damage one or more of your lymph nodes — small glands that help get rid of fluid, waste, and germs — as part of cancer treatment. This stops fluid from draining, and that causes arms, legs, feet, and other areas to swell. There’s no cure, but your doctor can help you manage it with movement exercises, massage, and bandages that push on swollen areas.

As with DVT, lymphedema often causes swelling or tightness in all or part of an affected limb. Also like DVT, symptoms are sometimes so mild that you don’t notice. Unlike DVT, the swelling can often include your fingers or toes. Other symptoms include:

• A feeling of heaviness in affected legs (uncommon in DVT)
• A hard time moving as freely
• A general aching or discomfort (DVT pain tends to center on a specific area)
• Infections that repeat (uncommon in DVT)
• Skin that hardens and thickens (fibrosis)

It’s when blood pools in the veins. It happens when the valves in your veins stop working properly, so the blood moves backward and collects. This pushes fluid into nearby tissue, which can cause swelling and irritation that looks like DVT. Over time, this inflammation can start to break down tissue and lead to sores or “ulcers” on the surface of the skin (uncommon in DVT).

You may feel full, achy, and tired in your legs, and it may get worse when you stand. You also might notice varicose veins on the skin of your legs.

Your muscles group together in your arm, leg, hand, or foot, along with blood vessels and nerves. Each group is enclosed in tissue (fascia), and together, they make up a “compartment.”

When the pressure builds up inside one of these compartments, it can cause swelling and tenderness that mirror symptoms of DVT. Unlike DVT, acute compartment syndrome typically happens soon after a sudden injury like a fracture. Other possible causes include a serious burn that scars skin or surgery to repair a blocked blood vessel. You may also notice:

• Tightness in affected muscle
• Intense pain, especially if you stretch muscle (more than expected for injury)
• Tingling or burning feeling
• Numbness or weakness (may be signs of permanent damage)

Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency and requires treatment right away.

This happens when a blood clot forms in a vein just under your skin. If you have it, you may have:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Warmth
• Redness

These symptoms are much like those of DVT, but unlike a DVT, it happens close to the surface, not deep within your body.

About 20% of people who have this condition also get a blood clot in their leg. Call your doctor if you notice anything unusual. They’ll check to see what’s going on.

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The child’s legs hurt.

What to do?

What is leg pain in a child?

Leg pain can be described as any sensation of pain or discomfort in the area between the groin and ankle. Depending on the cause, leg pain can range from moderate to severe, and symptoms can be constant (continuous) or intermittent (come and go). Leg pain can be acute, meaning it comes on quickly and then goes away. Or it can take weeks or months. Then it is called chronic leg pain. For some children, chronic leg pain can last for years and affect their lives.

What symptoms are associated with leg pain?

Pain in the leg may affect only a small part of the leg, or may cover most or even the entire leg. The pain may be dull or sharp, burning, tingling or dull. The child may experience pain in the buttocks, lower back, spine, or foot.

Other signs and symptoms that may occur with leg pain include:

• swelling
• varicose veins 9What causes pain in the legs of children?

  Here are some common causes of leg pain:

  • Cramp: This is when the muscles suddenly contract. The pain is usually felt in the lower leg and goes away on its own fairly quickly.
  • Muscle strains and strains. The leg may be very sensitive, and there may be muscle spasm, swelling, or difficulty moving the leg.
  • Minor injury such as a blow, blow, or bruise: There may be redness, swelling, or discoloration of the skin at the site of the injury.
  • Fracture: A broken or cracked bone can also cause swelling, deformity, bruising, and loss of strength or movement in the leg.
  • Infection: Ulcers, infected wounds, or blisters may also cause redness, swelling, and fever in the affected area. The child may have a fever and general malaise.
  • Injury to nearby joints, bones, or muscles: Very painful nodules can form in surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Pain in the back of the leg can be caused by back joint problems or sciatica. Ankle, knee, or hip problems can also cause leg pain.
  • Too little use of the leg: The child may also have tingling or muscle stiffness.
  • Blood vessel problems such as blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) or poor circulation: The child may also have swelling, pressure, tenderness, or paleness in the legs.
  • Varicose veins: the pain may be aching, throbbing or burning. The child may also have heaviness, cramps or restlessness in the legs, swelling of the ankles, darkening of the skin over the veins, and an itchy rash.
  • Nerve problems such as diabetic neuropathy: The child may also have weakness, numbness or tingling.
  • Compartment Syndrome: The pain will be intense and worse when the child pulls the leg and the skin feels tingling, burning or numb. The skin may look pale and feel cold.
  • Leg pain can also be part of chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
  • Growing pains: The child may have a sore or burning sensation in the muscles of the thighs, calves, or feet, usually at night.

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  When should I see a doctor?

  Seek immediate medical attention if the child has pain in the legs and:

  • the leg is swollen
  • the leg is deformed or unusable
  • the leg is unusually cool or pale
  • the leg is numb and weak
  • leg reddened and hot
  • both legs are swollen and have trouble breathing
  • the pain is getting worse

  Seek medical attention as soon as possible if the child has signs of infection such as fever, calf pain after a long journey, or any serious symptoms that occur Without explaning the reason.

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  Growing pains in children

  Pain in the legs is very common in children, especially at primary school age. Most often, such pains are “growing pains”. It is not known what causes growing pains. In most children examined by doctors with growing pains, there is no objective reason for their appearance. One theory is that pain is related to exercise, but this is not always the case. Some children with growing pains in their legs may also experience abdominal pain and headaches. In these children, growing pains may be associated with stress or anxiety and may be psychosomatic.

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  Symptoms of growing pains in the legs

  If your child has growing pains, he may say that he has aching or burning sensations in both legs – in the muscles of the thighs, calves or feet. Pain can also occur in the arms or other parts of the body, although this is much less common. Pain in the legs usually occurs at night and can sometimes even wake the child. They are also common during the daytime, but are rarely dangerous enough to interfere with daily activities. For most children, leg pain or discomfort tends to come and go. It is difficult to say when such pains will begin and when they will pass. A child with growing pains in the legs usually starts on their own or allows the parents to massage the painful area. This can help tell the difference between growing pains and a more serious condition. Children who have leg pain due to a more serious cause usually do not allow anyone to touch the painful area.

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  Should I see a doctor about my child’s leg pain?

  You should take your child to a GP if you think something more serious is going on with their legs. For example:

  • The pain is very severe and does not go away.
  • Your child is lame.
  • Painful part of the body is sensitive, hot or swollen to the touch.

  Sometimes your GP may order an x-ray or blood test to make sure there is no other cause of pain, such as a fracture or inflammation.

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  Treatment of growing pains in the legs

  There is no specific treatment for growing pains. You can tell your child that the pain is not serious and it will go away. Massage or applying a heating pad to the affected area may help. Stretching your muscles and taking a warm bath before bed can also help. Sometimes the GP may offer your child some kind of mild pain medication, such as paracetamol. There is no need to interfere with the child’s exercise. Growing pains usually go away with time. There is no prevention for growing pains in the legs: there is nothing you can do to prevent growing pains in a child.

  Call a doctor at home
  To make an appointment with a doctor
  or call +7 (812) 331-17-74

  What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and what are its symptoms

  What is DVT?

  Deep vein thrombosis is an abnormal blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis, and is thought to affect about 1 in every 1000 people in the UK.

  Large DVT can travel from the veins of the legs or pelvis and travel through the venous system to the heart and then to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a very serious medical condition and can even be fatal.

  While most DVTs are small, harmless, and go away on their own, it is true that many DVTs are never diagnosed and are often misrepresented by patients, doctors, and nurses as “sprained muscles” or other leg pain. Without duplex vein ultrasound by a vascular specialist (who can scan even the smallest veins in the calves), it is impossible to accurately determine the presence or absence of DVT.

  Learn more about

  treatments
  from our specialist

  How to avoid DVT

  Most people have heard of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but are surprised to learn about the causes of this condition. Many people associate DVT with long-haul flights, and while this is one of the main reasons, there are many others that should be acknowledged.

  If you are in the hospital for surgery, the risk of a blood clot increases. This is because DVT is more likely to occur when you are unwell or less active than usual. Pregnancy can also cause DVT. During pregnancy, blood clots more easily. This is the body’s way of preventing too much blood from being lost during childbirth. Genetics also play a role, and if someone in your family has had DVT before, then you are also more likely to have this condition.

  Warning signs of deep vein thrombosis

  Possible symptoms of deep vein thrombosis may include:

  • Leg pain or tenderness for no apparent reason – may be above the knee, below the knee, or in both legs.
  • Swelling of the ankle, ankle and calf, ankle, calf and thigh, or even the whole leg.
  • Severe pain in the leg – especially when standing or walking
  • Warm skin in the area of ​​swelling
  • Sometimes the skin may be slightly redder, but this is less common.
  • DVT usually affects one leg but can rarely affect both.

  Approximately half of patients have no symptoms or “warning signs” and are diagnosed with DVT only when complications occur.

  See a specialist

  If people are in doubt as to whether they are suffering from DVT or any other venous disease, they should see a venous specialist as soon as possible for duplex ultrasound and treatment advice.

  Many emergency departments do a blood test and, if positive, give heparin while duplex scanning is being arranged.

  If DVT is diagnosed and treated immediately, in most cases the clot resolves and the vein returns to normal. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, or if repeated DVTs occur in the same leg, deep veins can become frightened and stop working properly. This causes “post-thrombotic syndrome” (PTS), which can cause chronic leg pain and swelling, discoloration of the skin, and often leg ulcers.

  It is also important to know why the blood clot formed. This may be due to varicose veins, tightness of the veins, changes in the blood (dehydration, smoking, and certain drugs) or blood flow, or even a sign of another medical condition, including abnormal blood clotting.