Thrombosis, or venous thromboembolism, is a condition that can happen to anyone, regardless of age. However, there are some conditions, because it affects women and people over sixty more often. The worst thing is that in many cases it does not give any symptoms for a long time. Undiagnosed thrombosis is no joke – if left untreated for a long time, it can even be life threatening.
Typically, thrombosis affects the calves, much less often the veins of the pelvis or thighs. The formation of a blood clot is not life-threatening, but this disease cannot be ignored, as the detachment of the blood clot from the vein wall can cause pulmonary embolism and, as a result, death.
How it starts, or the symptoms of thrombosis
- Pain in the calf, similar to muscle spasm. It differs in that it does not go away, but intensifies when bending the foot and makes it difficult to perform movements – walking, standing.
- It is usually accompanied by swelling, which most often occurs around the ankle. Sometimes it occurs on the thigh or the entire lower leg. However, it is always located near the clot.
- As a result of inflammation, the skin becomes warm and red.
- Sometimes there is a subfebrile condition, which can reach up to 40 degrees. Sometimes fever is the only symptom of the disease.
- An accelerated heart rate was noted in some patients.
If at least one of these symptoms is present, it must not be underestimated. Despite this, many people do not go to the doctor when they only feel discomfort or swelling in the leg. Therefore, people with advanced thrombosis usually turn to the doctor.
Worse, thrombosis can be asymptomatic, so patients only learn about it as a result of complications or by chance. The most common complication is post-thrombotic syndrome, which results from damage to the valves of the venous system. A typical symptom is tight, thin, shiny skin with brown discoloration on the lower leg. Sometimes ulcers also form.
Who is at risk of thrombosis?
Particularly vulnerable are people over 40 who have little exercise and are not very active physically. The risk of the disease increases with age, as the walls of the veins thicken and lose elasticity. This causes stagnation of blood and damage to the valves. Age-related diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular diseases, also have an impact. The tendency to too thick blood is also not without fault, which may be hereditary, be the result of aging of the body or taking oral contraceptives and hormonal drugs.