Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) implies the formation of blood clots in a vein deep within the body. Common locations are the thighs or lower leg. It can happen as a result of surgeries or injuries and particular medication and reduced mobility or inactivity. You can treat DVT with medicine, surgery, and, most importantly, lifestyle changes involving exercises. It is best to treat all diseases in the initial stages. So being aware of early signs and symptoms is essential.

1. Symptoms of DVT
DVT symptoms happen due to the obstruction of blood returning to the heart. And since the leg is the most commonly affected, symptoms include backup of blood in the lower limbs. Signs could mimic infections or cellulitis, but all the warning signals may not arise at once. The common symptoms include

• Pain
  When you develop a blood clot in the leg, you can feel cramping in the calf or severe unexplained pain in the foot. The rare upper extremity clot can cause neck and shoulder pain. While a sedentary lifestyle can cause DVTs, when you have a blood clot, you feel pain when you move or stand stationary for long periods. Pain also worsens when you bend the knee.
• Discoloration
  When a blood clot forms, no matter how deep it is, the skin over the impacted area becomes pale or whitish. It is because the blood no longer flows through the site. But as the blood builds up, that specific part could turn red and even bluish over time because the blood no longer oxidizes. When you know you have not hit yourself or fallen anywhere, but you notice bruising on the skin, then you should consider DVT as a possible cause.
• Warmth
  Do you know how they describe falling in love as a warm feeling that spreads all over the body? It is because the blood flow increases. Likewise, when blood builds up somewhere in the arm or leg, the region may feel warmer than the surrounding area. The warm sensation could be just over the affected vein or the entire calf or limb.
• Swelling and Tenderness
  One of the most apparent signs of deep vein thrombosis is your leg swelling from below the knee. While even swelling in both legs or the entire lower body can be due to excessive salt intake, kidney disease, or even the side effects of some medications, uneven swelling is usually a sign of DVT. The affected region can swell and become tender to the touch.

2. Early Warning Signs of DVT
While redness, cramping, swelling, discoloration, and pain are localized to the region of the clot, there are some general signs of DVT as well. In the early stages of DVT, rapid pulse and accelerated breathing are prevalent. You could feel light-headed or dizzy, sometimes even shortness of breath. It can be alarming when you have chest pain that worsens when you take a deep breath.

If left untreated for a while, you could even cough up some blood. DVT can lead to pulmonary embolisms if it gets to the lungs, leading to severe complications. So ensure to visit the doctor if you observe any of the early signs.