How does DVT pain differ from other conditions. What are the main symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Can DVT pain worsen when lying down. How to distinguish DVT from Peripheral Artery Disease, Varicose Veins, and Cellulitis.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition characterized by blood clots forming in deep veins, typically in the legs. While DVT can occur at any age, certain factors increase the risk, including injury to a vein, immobility, pregnancy, chronic diseases, and family history. Understanding the symptoms is crucial for early detection and treatment.

Common symptoms of DVT include:

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

Is DVT pain worse when lying down? In some cases, patients may experience increased discomfort when reclining, as gravity is no longer assisting with blood flow. However, this symptom alone is not definitive for DVT diagnosis.

It’s important to note that about half of DVT cases may be asymptomatic. The real danger lies in the potential for a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A Closer Look at Circulatory Issues

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) shares some similarities with DVT but has distinct characteristics. PAD occurs when arteries in the legs become hardened and narrow due to plaque buildup, potentially blocking blood flow to the arms and legs.

Key symptoms of PAD include:

• Pain, numbness, or heaviness in the legs during walking
• Cramps in the feet, legs, or buttocks
• Slow-healing sores on feet or legs
• Pale or bluish-colored skin
• Temperature difference between legs

How does PAD differ from DVT? While both conditions affect blood flow, PAD primarily impacts arteries rather than veins. Additionally, PAD symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest, unlike DVT, which can cause persistent discomfort.

Varicose Veins: Understanding Surface-Level Vein Issues

Varicose veins, while sometimes confused with DVT, are a distinct condition affecting veins close to the skin’s surface. They occur when valves inside the veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to pool and veins to swell.

Symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Throbbing or cramping in the legs
• Itchy lower legs or ankles
• Aching, painful legs
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs

How do varicose veins differ from DVT? Unlike DVT, varicose veins are visible on the skin’s surface and rarely pose a risk of pulmonary embolism. While they can be uncomfortable, varicose veins are generally not considered a serious medical condition.

Cellulitis: When Skin Infection Mimics DVT Symptoms

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can present symptoms similar to DVT, making differentiation crucial for proper treatment. This condition occurs when bacteria enter through breaks in the skin, causing inflammation and potential systemic effects if left untreated.

Key symptoms of cellulitis include:

• Red, swollen, warm, and tender skin
• Possible fever, chills, and nausea
• Drowsiness or confusion in severe cases
• Red streaks or bumps on the affected area

How can one 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. Moreover, cellulitis typically affects the skin and superficial tissues, whereas DVT occurs in deep veins.

Spider Veins: A Cosmetic Concern or Something More?

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are a smaller variant of varicose veins that affect capillaries close to the skin’s surface. While they may cause concern due to their appearance, spider veins rarely indicate a serious medical condition.

Characteristics of spider veins include:

• Web-like or branching appearance
• Blue or reddish color
• Most common on legs and face
• Generally painless and without medical complications

Are spider veins related to DVT? While both conditions affect veins, spider veins are superficial and do not carry the risk of pulmonary embolism associated with DVT. They are primarily a cosmetic concern and do not typically require medical intervention.

Vasculitis: When Blood Vessels Become Inflamed

Vasculitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, which can lead to reduced blood flow to organs and tissues. This condition can sometimes present with symptoms that mimic DVT, making accurate diagnosis crucial.

Common features of vasculitis include:

• Inflammation of blood vessels
• Reduced blood flow to organs and tissues
• Various subtypes with different symptoms
• Often associated with autoimmune diseases

How does vasculitis differ from DVT? While both conditions can affect blood flow, vasculitis is an inflammatory disorder that can impact various types of blood vessels throughout the body. DVT, on the other hand, specifically involves blood clots in deep veins, typically in the legs.

Acute Arterial Occlusion: A Vascular Emergency

Acute arterial occlusion is a medical emergency that occurs when an artery becomes suddenly blocked, typically by a blood clot or embolus. This condition can present with symptoms similar to DVT but requires immediate medical attention due to its potential for rapid tissue damage.

Key symptoms of acute arterial occlusion include:

• Sudden, severe pain in the affected limb
• Pale or bluish skin
• Decreased pulse in the affected limb
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness or paralysis

How can one differentiate acute arterial occlusion from DVT? The sudden onset and severity of symptoms are key distinguishing factors. While DVT typically develops gradually, acute arterial occlusion presents with rapid, intense pain and obvious circulatory compromise in the affected limb.

Understanding the Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Given the similarities in symptoms among these vascular conditions, accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and management. While some conditions, like varicose veins and spider veins, are generally benign, others such as DVT, PAD, and acute arterial occlusion can have serious health implications if left untreated.

When experiencing symptoms that could indicate a vascular issue, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Healthcare professionals can perform various diagnostic tests, including:

1. Doppler ultrasound
2. Venography
3. D-dimer blood test
4. CT or MRI scans

These tests help differentiate between various vascular conditions and guide appropriate treatment strategies.

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Modifications

While some risk factors for vascular conditions are beyond our control, there are several preventive measures and lifestyle modifications that can reduce the risk of developing these issues:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly to improve circulation
• Avoid prolonged periods of inactivity
• Stay hydrated
• Quit smoking
• Manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension
• Wear compression stockings if recommended by a healthcare provider

By adopting these healthy habits, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing vascular problems and improve overall cardiovascular health.

The Role of Genetics in Vascular Health

Genetic factors play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to various vascular conditions. Family history of DVT, PAD, or other circulatory issues can increase one’s risk. Understanding these genetic predispositions can help in early detection and prevention strategies.

Some genetic factors that may influence vascular health include:

• Factor V Leiden mutation
• Prothrombin gene mutation
• Protein C or S deficiency
• Antithrombin deficiency

Individuals with a family history of vascular issues should discuss genetic testing options with their healthcare provider to assess their risk and develop appropriate preventive strategies.

Emerging Treatments and Research in Vascular Medicine

The field of vascular medicine is continuously evolving, with new treatments and diagnostic tools emerging. Recent advancements include:

1. Novel anticoagulant medications with reduced bleeding risk
2. Minimally invasive interventional procedures for treating vascular blockages
3. Advanced imaging techniques for more accurate diagnosis
4. Gene therapy approaches for hereditary vascular disorders

These developments offer hope for improved management of vascular conditions and better outcomes for patients. Ongoing research continues to explore new avenues for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various vascular disorders.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Vascular Health

Lifestyle choices significantly influence vascular health and the risk of developing conditions like DVT, PAD, and varicose veins. Understanding the impact of daily habits can empower individuals to make informed decisions for better vascular health.

Key lifestyle factors affecting vascular health include:

• Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports vascular health
• Physical activity: Regular exercise promotes healthy circulation and vein function
• Stress management: Chronic stress can negatively impact vascular health
• Sleep habits: Adequate sleep is crucial for overall cardiovascular health
• Alcohol consumption: Moderate alcohol intake may have some benefits, but excessive drinking can harm vascular health

By addressing these lifestyle factors, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing vascular issues and improve overall health outcomes.

The Connection Between Vascular Health and Systemic Diseases

Vascular health is intricately connected to various systemic diseases, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare. Understanding these connections can lead to better management of both vascular and systemic conditions.

Some systemic diseases with strong links to vascular health include:

1. Diabetes: Can lead to peripheral artery disease and increased risk of DVT
2. Hypertension: A major risk factor for various vascular conditions
3. Autoimmune disorders: Can cause vasculitis and increase risk of vascular complications
4. Obesity: Associated with increased risk of DVT, varicose veins, and PAD
5. Chronic kidney disease: Often accompanied by vascular complications

Managing these systemic conditions effectively can significantly improve vascular health and reduce the risk of complications.

The Role of Technology in Vascular Health Monitoring

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we monitor and manage vascular health. From wearable devices to smartphone apps, these tools provide valuable insights and help individuals take a proactive approach to their vascular well-being.

Some technological innovations in vascular health monitoring include:

• Smartwatches with heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring capabilities
• Portable ultrasound devices for at-home vein health checks
• Apps that track physical activity and provide personalized exercise recommendations
• Telemedicine platforms for remote consultations with vascular specialists
• AI-powered diagnostic tools for early detection of vascular issues

While these technologies offer exciting possibilities, it’s important to use them in conjunction with professional medical advice and not as a substitute for regular check-ups and consultations.

The Importance of Patient Education in Vascular Health

Empowering patients with knowledge about vascular health is crucial for early detection, prevention, and effective management of vascular conditions. Educated patients are more likely to recognize warning signs, adhere to treatment plans, and make informed decisions about their health.

Key areas of focus for patient education include:

1. Understanding risk factors for vascular diseases
2. Recognizing symptoms of common vascular conditions
3. Importance of regular health screenings
4. Proper use of medications and adherence to treatment plans
5. Lifestyle modifications for better vascular health

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in patient education, but resources like support groups, online communities, and educational materials can also contribute to better patient understanding and outcomes.

The Future of Vascular Health: Personalized Medicine and Genetic Therapies

The future of vascular health looks promising with the advent of personalized medicine and genetic therapies. These approaches take into account an individual’s unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors to tailor prevention strategies and treatments.

Emerging trends in personalized vascular medicine include:

• Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring medications based on genetic profiles
• Gene editing techniques for hereditary vascular disorders
• Personalized risk assessment tools incorporating genetic and lifestyle factors
• Targeted therapies for specific vascular conditions based on molecular markers
• 3D-printed vascular grafts customized for individual patients

As research in these areas progresses, we can expect more effective, personalized approaches to vascular health management, potentially revolutionizing the field of vascular medicine.

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

Blood clots can form for various reasons, including certain medical conditions.

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

Blood clots can form for various reasons, including certain medical conditions.

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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causes of formation and main symptoms

Thrombosis scares everyone, and rightly so. Venous thrombosis is dangerous when a thrombus breaks off, migrates through the veins to the heart, passes through the heart and embolism – blockage of the pulmonary artery. This is a dangerous condition that can not only lead to serious complications, but also to death.

Thrombosis is the formation of a thrombus, that is, a blood clot, on the vessel wall. Such blood clots can either completely block the vein or partially.

It is deep vein thrombosis that poses the greatest danger, as it can lead to thromboembolism. While thrombosis of the veins of the upper extremities almost never leads to thromboembolism.

For the formation of a blood clot in a vein, several conditions are necessary, sometimes even one is enough. In medicine, there is a Virchow triad, which describes the main causes of blood clots in a vein.

1. Deceleration of blood flow. A good example is a long flight, when a person sits motionless for a long time with bent legs. This situation leads to stagnation of blood, which contributes to thrombosis in deep veins. That is why it is important to wear compression stockings during air travel, which will just prevent blood from stagnating and forming a blood clot.

3. Violation of the properties of blood. This includes increased blood clotting, that is, its thickening. This change in blood can be caused by dehydration, so drinking enough water is very important.

For the formation of blood clots, one or all three factors may be sufficient. For example, consider a situation where all three factors are involved. Broken leg.

Therefore, with fractures of the lower extremities, the risk of thrombosis increases significantly. However, there are situations when blood clots form for no apparent reason.

Thrombosis can be localized in different veins. Saphenous vein thrombosis is characterized by symptoms that can be diagnosed visually – this is skin redness, inflammation and induration, most often in those vessels that are prone to varicose veins. Deep vein thrombosis requires a serious diagnosis, as it can be asymptomatic. However, he poses a threat.

But still, deep vein thrombosis has three characteristic symptoms, the presence of which allows almost 90% confidence to talk about the fact of thrombosis.

The main symptom of deep vein thrombosis is swelling. They can be expressed to varying degrees, depending on which vein the thrombus is in – large or small. Most often, edema in thrombosis is asymmetric – it rarely occurs on two legs at once. Usually it is localized only on one limb. If your legs have been swollen for 3 years, then it is unlikely that a fresh blood clot can be suspected during the diagnosis. With thrombosis, swelling is usually sudden and acute, accompanied by pain.

Why does swelling of the leg appear with thrombosis? This is due to the fact that fluid seeps through the wall of the vein. The fluid should move towards the heart, but because of the thrombus it cannot rise, therefore it looks for a way out through the vessels, getting into the subcutaneous fat and, accordingly, giving edema.

As a rule, edema is localized in the lower third of the lower leg, but if blood clots form at the level of the femoral vein, the entire leg will swell.

The second sign of a deep vein thrombus is pain. Most often, pain occurs in the lower leg and in the popliteal region, depending on which vein is thrombosed. Pain in the thigh area almost never bothers patients, even though a blood clot can also be in the femoral vein.

Pain, like swelling, is sudden and sharp. It can be described as bursting or pulling. It occurs for no apparent reason, that is, not due to injury or sprain. Sometimes a person may even limp while walking, as the pain of a blood clot increases during movement.

The change in skin tone is due to the fact that the blood in the vein cannot flow into the heart area, as it should, but seeps through the walls of the vessel, enters the subcutaneous fat, causing edema, and the edema already provokes a change in skin color.

For the diagnosis of thrombosis, there are additional symptoms that are named after those specialists who discovered these symptoms.

This symptom was first described by the American surgeon Homans, after whom it is named.

The patient needs to take a sitting or lying position and stretch the legs. Then, with an effort, pull the feet towards you. With such a movement, in the case of a blood clot, pain occurs on the back surface of the lower leg of the affected leg.

To determine the presence of a blood clot, you will need a cuff from a tonometer. It must be worn on the lower third of the leg or above. When creating pressure from 60 to 150 mm Hg. Art. in the presence of thrombosis, palpable pain appears.

It is necessary to squeeze the lower leg in the transverse direction of the calf muscle. There will be no pain with such compression. But with compression in the anteroposterior direction, in the presence of a blood clot, pain occurs.

Not all of the symptoms described are 100% likely to indicate thrombosis, but they allow you to suspect it and begin further examination. Ultrasound can reliably determine thrombosis.

If you have found these symptoms in yourself, then you need to consult a doctor – a vascular surgeon or phlebologist.

Thrombosis in the veins of the lower extremities requires treatment in a hospital. This should be done by an experienced professional. Attempts to self-treat thrombosis are very dangerous, because this way you can lose time, which will eventually lead to pulmonary embolism.

Thromboembolism is insidious in that there are no its forerunners. Against the background of good health, slight pain, slight swelling of the leg, a blood clot suddenly breaks off, the person falls and dies. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of thrombosis, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Complications in the form of thrombosis can have serious consequences for human health, as well as threaten his life. That is why it is very important to pay attention to the prevention of thrombosis.

causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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• Hundreds of patients have already avoided leg amputations;
• Prevention of severe complications of varicose veins and other vascular diseases;
• Unique non-surgical regenerative plastic surgery of trophic ulcers.

Coming home in the evening, people often experience heaviness and pain in their legs. This may be due to overwork, a long stay in a standing position. Such symptoms after physical exertion usually disappear in the morning. But there are times when pain is repeated very often and does not disappear after a long rest. This indicates that there are serious violations of internal organs and systems in the body. And in order to avoid serious consequences, you need to undergo an examination and identify the cause of the disease.

Causes

Pain in the legs while lying down can occur for many reasons:

• diseases and pathologies of the spine (osteochondrosis, sciatica)
• injuries, bruises of the lower extremities
• inflammatory and infectious diseases (osteomyelitis, tuberculosis)
• degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism)
• malignant tumors (osteosarcoma)
• vascular diseases (venous insufficiency, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, vascular atherosclerosis)
• pinched sciatic nerve
• metabolic disorder (gout)
• diabetes mellitus

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Foot diseases due to the above reasons are increasing every year. This is due to the fact that in the modern world people lead the wrong way of life: they eat fatty high-calorie foods, smoke a lot, drink alcohol, and move little. In addition, the environmental situation is deteriorating. All this in general provokes the development of various pathologies.

The most common cause of pain and heaviness in the legs are vascular diseases. Depending on which exactly the violation occurred, the following types of insufficiency are distinguished:

• chronic. When superficial vein damage occurs.
• valve. Injury to vessels that unite superficial and deep veins.
• sharp. Violation of the deep veins.

Diagnostic methods

Magnetic resonance imaging

The most effective and affordable research method that presents information in 3d volume. MRI images are a clear illustration of what is happening at the moment with the spine, joints or other structures of the patient.

X-ray examination

A method for quickly assessing the condition of internal structures by obtaining an image using x-rays that have passed through an object. Fast, inexpensive, informative.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS

Examination of the body using ultrasonic waves. Ability to evaluate organs in motion. Passing through structures of different density, ultrasound is reflected from them – this gives a picture of the state at the time of the study.

Biochemical analysis

This is a blood test. Show me your tests and the doctor will tell you who you are. This is the fastest and most accurate way to learn everything about the biochemical processes occurring in the patient’s body. Inexpensive, fast, efficient.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Electrocardiography is the study of the electrical activity of the heart. For measurement, special electrodes are superimposed, the cardiograph captures changes in the work of the heart and displays them in the form of a cardiogram.

Symptoms

Pain in the legs in the supine position, associated with vascular diseases, accompanied by symptoms such as a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the legs, increased sensitivity, the formation of spider veins under the skin, general fatigue.

Depending on the disease, its characteristic signs appear.

With atherosclerosis of vessels there is difficulty in movement, lameness occurs. The skin on the legs turns pale, there is a feeling of tingling and numbness. Increases sweating.

With varicose veins the pain is dull aching, but it can be sharp and throbbing. It is more often shown in an ankle and a shin.

With thrombophlebitis , a person also experiences acute pain and burning, which are aggravated precisely in the prone position.

Methods of treatment

Joint reconstruction

1 procedure for the course FREE OF CHARGE!

Insertion of an organic serum with hyaluronic acid into the joint capsule. As a result, cartilage is reconstructed More…

Neuroprotective therapy

Discount -10%! Only 3 days!

New generation neuroprotectors that are able to restore the conduction of impulses in nerve tissues. Read more…

Plasmocytopheresis

1 procedure for the course FREE OF CHARGE!

Treatment and healing of cartilage with growth factors. Restoration of joint tissues with purified platelet blood. Read more…

Transdermal therapy

Discount -25%! Only 3 days!

The introduction of titanium glycosolvate into the diseased joint is a unique method of drug delivery without surgery and painful injections. Read more…

Ultraphonophoresis

Discount -25%! Only 3 days!

This is an innovative method of administering drugs using ultrasound, which has a unique ability to loosen the tissue. Read more…

EHF therapy

Discount -25%! Only 3 days!

This is a promising method of physiotherapy with a great future. In life, waves of this range do not reach the earth, spraying into the atmosphere. The device generates these waves itself. Read more…

Infusion Therapy

Combinations of drugs for intravenous drip. High digestibility and rapid achievement of the therapeutic effect set the infusion therapy More…

A joint or spinal block is a quick way to help a joint or back. In case of acute pain, blockade helps to quickly relieve pain and help locally More…

Introduction of chondroprotectors

“HONDRO” in Latin means “cartilage” and that says it all. Injection of cartilage cells into damaged segments of the spine More…

Autohemotherapy

Treatment with patient’s autologous blood cells. The introduction of blood is carried out intramuscularly, which provokes the body to intensify the fight against chronic infection, suppuration and trophic ulcers, immunity is enhanced and effectively resists new infections. Read more…

Laser treatment

Infrared treatment wavelength 0.8-0.9micron affects the internal focus of the problem. This relieves inflammation, swelling and pain in the joint. Degenerative processes in the joint fade as the metabolic processes inside the joint are accelerated many times over. Read more…

Peloid therapy

Nutrition and growth of cartilage cells by applying peloid dressings. The foundation comes from Lake Sivash, where mud is extracted with a high concentration of Dunaliela Salina microalgae, which is rich in beta-carotene.

Diagnosis and treatment

Reasons to see a doctor urgently:

• pain in the legs does not disappear for a long time and painkillers do not work on them
• pain accompanied by numbness, loss of sensation, swelling
• the skin on the legs became bumpy and changed color
• pain occurs in other parts of the body

To make a diagnosis and determine the severity of vascular lesions, it is necessary to visit a phlebologist or vascular surgeon, who can prescribe the following studies: vascular ultrasound, vascular X-ray, CT and MRI. The following conservative methods are used for treatment: taking medications (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that improve blood circulation, vitamin complexes), physiotherapy exercises, massage, physiotherapy. In the presence of serious vascular damage, surgical methods of treatment are used: atroscopy, sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, cryophlebacktraction.

Our patients

Meet our patients

Age 64 years old Diagnosis Arthrosis stage 2 The result of treatment The patient is satisfied

Sergey Igorevich “He was treated in the clinic… didn’t give much effect! After the first plasmacytophoresis procedure, I feel fullness in the joint, the mobility has improved!”

Age 70 years old Diagnosis Osteoarthritis Result of treatment The patient is satisfied

Galina Fedorovna “During the plasmacytophoresis procedure, a slight bursting was felt, and then everything became fine! The clinic helped me!”

Age 70 years old Diagnosis Osteochondrosis Treatment result The patient is satisfied

Lyudmila Emel Yanovna “At our age, the main thing is to maintain clarity of mind and the ability to move around. I have already recommended the clinic to my friends!”

Age 72 years old Diagnosis Osteochondrosis, arthrosis Result of treatment The patient is satisfied

Boris Khazievich ” I had back pain and hip pain. After the treatment, I began to fall asleep without pain, I sleep normally!”

Age 77 years old Diagnosis Osteoarthritis Treatment result Pain gone

Tamara Grigorievna I had a very sore kneecap, I could not walk. Now my joint is being restored and I walk without pain! After the 2nd procedure, there was an improvement. ”

Age 60 years Diagnosis Osteoporosis, arthrosis Result of treatment Pain gone

Hans Harwig Holland, I could not walk and stand without crutches, neither in Germany nor in Holland did I couldn’t help. Helped here. Now there is no pain, I am satisfied.”

Age 66 years old Diagnosis Osteoarthritis Treatment result Patient satisfied

Vladimir Mikhailovich “There was a high pain sensitivity in the knee joints when standing up, squatting. The clinic didn’t help me properly. And here everything is on time, calmly and without nerves!”

Age 65 years old Diagnosis Arthritis Treatment result Fully satisfied

Elena Antonovna severe pain in my knee, I couldn’t even walk. And after the first procedure, it really helped me a lot. I wanted to run right away, but the doctor did not allow me to run.”

Age 71 years old Diagnosis Trophic ulcer Treatment result Autodermoplasty performed

Liu dmila Viktorovna Lyudmila Viktorovna got rid of the ulcer in a month! And after autodermoplasty there was no trace that there was an ulcer! Now she has a healthy leg, the ulcer has healed!

Age 64 years old Diagnosis Arthrosis of the 3rd degree Treatment result The pain is gone

Valentina Alekseevna Already after the first injection of the liquid prosthesis into the joint capsule, the knee began to straighten, the range of motion of the joint increased, and the patient’s quality of life improved.

In our medical center MEDICUS we use the most effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases. And you can get an appointment with a doctor via the Internet by filling out an online form or by calling 986-66-36.

Results of our patients BEFORE and AFTER treatment

Evgenia Semyonovna, 67 years old.

Osteoarthritis of the knee stage 3, sent for joint replacement surgery. With the help of plasma, she coped with arthrosis in 3 sessions. Refused the cane. Avoided surgery. There is no pain, the cartilage and joint bag are restored. The duration of treatment is a week.

Pavel Ivanovich, 73 years old

Periarthrosis of the shoulder joint, stage 2. He was treated by chiropractors, leeches, needles – it did not help. The plasma caused the regeneration of the lost tissues. Full mobility returned, chronic 15-year pains disappeared. The duration of treatment is 10 days.

Natalya Igorevna, 59 years old

Osteochondrosis complicated by herniation. Excruciating back pain stopped in one session. Neurological manifestations – goosebumps, numbness of the lower leg left after the second procedure. Course – 2 weeks.

Taisiya Romanovna, 82 years old

Arthrosis of the hip joint stage 3. The operation was refused due to age and large weight. Plasmacytopheresis restored the joint bag, there was a restoration of articular cartilage and the production of joint lubricating fluid. Course – 7 days.

Roman Stepanovich, 73 years old

Headaches, cervical osteochondrosis and vertebral hernia. As a result of the treatment – the disappearance of headaches, a decrease in the soreness of the cervical region. According to the pictures, restoration of paravertebral tissues, reduction of hernia.

We know how to make the lives of our patients better

• Social GUARANTEES for pensioners, disabled people, blockade survivors, participants in the Second World War.