Leg stroke symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention

It is normal for a blood clot to occur with a wound infection so that severe bleeding does not occur, which is in fact a sign of a healthy body, but when blood clots without injury to the inside of the veins here it becomes a serious problem that must be wary of, and one of the most common clotting problems is the problem of clots in the legs, you know In this article on the symptoms of leg stroke, its causes and complications, and methods of treatment and prevention.

What is a leg stroke?

The scientific name for leg stroke is Deep vein thrombosis It is a serious condition that occurs due to the formation of a mass of blood inside the deep veins of the legs. It may also affect other parts of the body, but it is more common in the thighs, legs and feet.

Symptoms of a leg stroke

Symptoms of a stroke appear in the foot or leg as a result of the inability of blood to reach the heart and its obstruction as a result of the clot that blocks the vein. Early signs of a leg stroke They include:

  • Feeling of pain that increases with flexion of the foot.
  • The appearance of swelling in the leg.
  • Sensation of warmth or heat in the leg.
  • The appearance of redness on the skin.
  • leg cramps
  • The appearance of a blue or white color in the skin of the leg.
  • The veins in the leg protrude and swell to the point where you can see them and feel their hardness or tenderness.

When do leg stroke symptoms become serious?

There are symptoms that if they appear with the previous symptoms of a stroke patient, he must quickly go to the emergency room because the clot can move in the vein until it reaches the lungs, causing a condition called pulmonary embolism; It is a serious, life-threatening condition, and these symptoms are:

  • Sudden cough and may be accompanied by blood.
  • Tightness and sharp pain in the chest.
  • Feeling pain in the neck, shoulder or jaw.
  • Rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Feeling pain when breathing.
  • severe dizziness
  • fast heartbeat

Symptoms of superficial leg stroke

Sometimes a leg clot may occur in the superficial veins of the leg and not in the deep veins due to an injury in the leg or due to varicose veins. These small clots cause symptoms similar to those of inflammation, such as:

  • swelling.
  • Sensation of warmth or heat in the leg or foot.
  • skin redness
  • The thinness and softness of the veins.

Causes of leg stroke

Clots form in the leg or leg as a result of obstruction of blood from flowing smoothly in both directions. This can happen due to an injury, after surgery, certain medications, or even lack of movement. There are several factors that may increase the risk of leg clots, including:

  • Staying in bed for a long time due to a certain illness or paralysis.
  • Injury or surgery.
  • Pregnancy may be a factor causing stroke due to pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs.
  • Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement drugs in general.
  • Overweight and obesity.
  • smoking.
  • some types of cancer
  • heart failure
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.
  • Having a family history of blood clots.
  • Sitting for a long time without moving.

Diagnosing a leg stroke

If you have any of the symptoms of a previous leg stroke, you should consult a doctor who will perform a physical examination on the foot or leg. He will also ask you about the history of stroke in your family, or he will ask about any injury or accident that you may have had recently, and he will ask for several examinations, including:

  • A blood test called D-dimer test searches for parts of the clot in the bloodstream and their number, but this analysis is not sufficient to diagnose a clot.
  • Doppler vascular ultrasound to detect any slowed blood flow that could be caused by a clot.
  • The venogram examination, also called venography, is used by the doctor in the event that he is unable to detect a clot using the previous diagnostic methods. A dye is injected into a vein from the foot to the upper leg, and then x-rays are used to photograph the veins to detect the presence of a clot.

Leg stroke treatment

Treatment depends on taking anticoagulant drugs such as heparin and warfarin, which work to prevent blood from clotting or to prevent an increase in the size of existing clots, but you must adhere to the medications and their doses exactly as prescribed by the doctor, because these drugs work to increase blood flow and with any injury bleeding may occur Easily, so you should tell your doctor if you bruise or bleed easily.

Leg clot drink

Leg stroke syrup or compression stockings can reduce the symptoms of leg stroke, such as swelling and swelling caused by the stroke. Most of these socks are worn just below the knee, as they narrow downward to become very narrow at the ankle.

Leg embolism catheterization

Sometimes catheters are used in a simple process to install a filter called a vena cava filter. This tool works to prevent the clot from moving and reaching the lung. This filter is installed in the largest vein in the body through the thigh or neck and works to capture moving clots before they reach the lung. This method does not prevent the formation of other clots, but it can be performed in the event that the drugs are ineffective or cannot be taken.

Prevention of leg clots

If you are prone to injury or even after having a leg stroke once, you are at risk of having it again, so you should do everything you can to not have clots again. Here are these important tips:

  • Keep moving. Even simple physical activity like walking or swimming or even moving your feet even if you have to sit for a while.
  • Try to reduce your weight and eat a healthy diet that contains lots of vegetables, fruits, fiber and little fat.
  • Try to quit smoking.
  • Keep track of your blood pressure, and you can keep a blood pressure monitor in your home for easy monitoring.
  • Tell your doctor if someone in your family has symptoms of a blood clot, as you may be at risk as well.
  • If you plan to travel a long distance, make sure you take breaks along the way to move your legs and feet.
  • Make sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t squeeze your legs, which can impede the natural flow of blood.
  • If you are going to have surgery, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications after surgery. Be sure to take them regularly as prescribed by your doctor.

Finally, having a leg stroke is not the end of the day. Many people suffer from symptoms of a leg stroke and live with it for long periods. Just stick to your doctor’s instructions and be sure to follow up regularly and tell the doctor if other symptoms appear that may indicate complications.