Blood naturally clots to slow down and stop bleeding when a vein or artery is cut. Sometimes, however, a blood clot will occur unnecessarily and can cause health problems. A blood clot that takes place in a vein and breaks loose can cause a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or a stroke. It is important to know the symptoms of a blood clot so that you can seek immediate medical care.
Deep Venous Thrombosis
When a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body, often in the leg, it is called deep venous thrombosis. This blood clot can break off and cause lung, heart, or brain damage. These blood clots can be caused or made more likely by clotting disorders, flying in an airplane, bed rest, cancer, pregnancy, surgery, birth control pills and smoking. Symptoms of deep venous thrombosis include pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the leg. If you think you may have a deep vein clot, seek emergency help.
Renal Vein Thrombosis
Occasionally, a clot can form in the vein that takes blood away from the kidneys. This type of clot is called renal vein thrombosis. It can occur in infants and children because of dehydration and can cause kidney failure. In adults, renal vein thrombosis is usually caused by abdominal trauma, injury to the back, a tumor or scarring. Symptoms include scant urine or decreased urine flow, pain in the lower back and blood in the urine. Contact your doctor for treatment if you have these symptoms.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
Superficial thrombophlebitis is when a clot occurs in a vein that is close to the surface of the skin. A common risk factor for this type of blood clot is having an intravenous line recently placed or removed. Other possible causes include pregnancy; sitting for a long period of time, such as on an airplane flight, a long car drive or being confined to bed; birth control pills, and clotting disorders. Symptoms of a superficial thrombophlebitis are redness and inflammation of the skin along a visible vein, pain from pressure along a vein, warmth of the area and pain in the arm or leg that is affected. Because superficial thrombophlebitis can cause tissue damage, infection and a blood clot that travels to the lung, it is important to have a doctor check this condition as soon as possible.
