Blood clots in the legs occur when the blood clot blocks the veins in the limbs. The clotting inhibits blood to the heart. The clotted blood fluid causes swelling, redness, and pain in the legs.
Some of the causes, among others, sleep too long, stand too long, feet remain silent in a certain period of time (such as in a car or on a plane). Risk factors that can trigger include the use of birth control pills or cancer.
Blood Clot In Leg Risk Factors
Your risk of getting DVT also increases if you or your close family have previously experienced DVT, and you:
- Excess weight or obesity
- Smo**king
- Dehydration
- Pregnant
- Aged over 60, especially if it has a condition that restricts body movements
- After undergoing a recent surgery
- Using the birth control hormone
- Treated for cancer, or suffering from cancer
- Have a broken hip, pelvic, or leg
- Heavy bruising
- Stay seated or in bed for a long time
- Have a stroke
- Paralyzed
- Have a port in their body through which the doctor gives the drug
- Experiencing problems with blood vessels
- Have heart problems
Swelling, redness, pain that resembles severe muscle cramps, a warm sensation, and a softened area, these are all signs of a blood clot in your leg, especially when these symptoms occur only in one leg. That’s because you’re more likely to have clots on one foot, than in both.
What are the dangers of blood clots in the legs?
The blood clot is normal and it is essentially harmless. This is needed to prevent you from losing a lot of blood in certain situations, such as when injured.
Usually, your body will naturally dissolve the blood clot after the injury is cured. But sometimes blood clots can occur without any injuries or do not dissolve. And when these blood clots loose and walk towards other parts of the body, this can be dangerous.
Blood clots in the legs that move blocked the lungs can cause pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is a complication of DVT that is more serious and can be fatal if not getting medical help as soon as possible.
If the clot is small, it may not cause any symptoms. If large enough, blood clots can cause chest pains and breathing difficulties. Large clots can cause lung damage, and result in heart failure. About one in 10 people with untreated DVT can cause severe pulmonary embolism.
When a blood clot is on a leg off towards the heart or brain artery and block them, it can cause a heart attack and stroke when the blood clot is suddenly broken.
Blood Clot In Leg Treatment
The clot can be cured by injection of Lovenox or oral Coumadin administration.
Blood clot in leg natural treatment
Fennel Oil
Required Ingredients:
- 2 – 3 drops anise oil
- 1 cup water
How to mix:
- Combine a few drops of fennel oil in a glass of water continues to drink.
- Alternatively, you can apply fennel oil to the legs that are attacked by blood clotting. Do this treatment 2-3 times a day.
Fennel oil is extracted from a flowering plant called anise. The oil is very effective in curing skin swelling. Thus, anise oil can be used to relieve pain and increase blood flow to treat blood clotting on your feet.
Helichrysum oil
Required Ingredients:
- 5 – 6 drops of Helichrysum essential oil
- 30 ml coconut oil or olive oil
How to mix:
- Combine the two ingredients.
- Massage on the affected leg area.
- Do the massage at least 3 times a day.
Helichrysum oil is derived from the medicinal herb Helichrysum. The drug has many health benefits and it is known for having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
This oil is also natural blood thinners because it has anticoagulant properties. So, Helichrysum oil is one of the best options for treating blood clotting.
Wintergreen Oil
Required Ingredients:
- 5 – 6 drops Wintergreen Essential oil
- 30 ml coconut oil or olive oil.
How to mix:
- Combine Wintergreen oil with coconut oil or olive oil.
- Massage this mixture into the affected part.
- Do the massage 2 times a day.
Wintergreen oil contains a compound called methyl salicylate and it is famous for having blood thinning properties and anti-inflammatory properties.
Blood clot in leg precautions
Precautions can be regular exercise to improve blood flow circulation or avoid sitting for a long time. If the condition forces sit too long, take some time to relax the feet.
According to the CDC, the best way to prevent blood clots or DVT is to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle as possible, and following the recommendation of a physician.
The CDC also recommends that someone gets up and run regularly, and train their leg muscles, even when seated.
Someone can try:
- Raise and lower their heels while keeping their fingers on the floor
- Raising and lowering their toes, keeping their heels on the floor
- Tighten and release the muscles of their legs
According to an article in the Wiley Online Library, taking low-dose aspirin may be effective in reducing the possibility of developing blood clots or DVT.
Thank you very much for reading Blood Clot In Leg: Risk Factors, Dangers, Treatment, and Precautions, hopefully useful.
Read also:
Blood Clot in Lung Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis [Pulmonary Embolism]
