They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes. Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. While leg cramps and DVTs both cause calf pain (usually just in one leg), there are some differences that can help tell them apart: How to tell the difference between leg cramps and a DVT So a DVT cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Many other conditions can cause these same symptoms, like cellulitis or lymphedema. But sometimes a DVT (or multiple DVTs) can cause symptoms in both legs. Many times, these symptoms are only present in one leg. When you touch the skin over the affected area, it may feel warmer than the rest of your skin. The redness is usually faint and diffuse. People often describe a constant, dull pain in the calf, knee, or thigh. ![]() This may be visible just in the foot or below the knee, or it can affect the whole leg. When symptoms are present, the most common ones include: ![]() In fact, up to 40% of people with DVTs may have no symptoms. What are the symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (DVT)?Ī DVT does not always cause noticeable symptoms, and many people may not know they have one. Medications: Birth control and hormonal replacement therapy increase the risk of blood clots. Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or recently gave birth you are at higher risk, as increased estrogen levels affect the way that our blood clots. Some examples are inherited blood disorders, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Medical conditions: Certain conditions can make your blood more likely to clot. This includes recent surgery, hospitalization, bedrest, or even prolonged travel like a long flight or road trip. Immobilization: Anything that decreases the amount you use your legs can increase your risk of blood clot. You have an increased risk of developing a DVT for many different reasons: ![]() This more commonly occurs in the smaller veins that travel deep within the lower leg but can occur in other veins throughout the body, too. What is a DVT, and what causes them?Ī DVT occurs when our blood clots inside a vein. While there are many causes of leg cramps, most of the time it is not clear why they happen, and they often go away on their own. Medications like diuretics for blood pressure, statins for cholesterol, and long-acting beta agonists for asthma Medical conditions that affect the blood vessels in the leg, such as peripheral artery disease or venous insufficiency Kidney disease, which often affects electrolyte levels Leg cramps can have many different causes:Įlectrolyte abnormalities, like low potassium or magnesium levels This occurs most commonly in the calf muscle - also called the gastrocnemius - but can also happen in the muscles of the thighs or feet. It happens when a leg muscle suddenly tightens up, usually for a brief period of time (a few seconds to minutes). 1–4 of 6 What are leg cramps, and what causes them?Ī leg cramp - sometimes called a charley horse - is a painful muscle spasm.
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