A blood clot is a lump of blood that turns liquid blood into a gel-like state. It is very important in case of an injury, as it stops bleeding.

Blood clots are not always clearly visible; sometimes they keep forming slowly in the body and are not detected until a major problem occurs. Some symptoms, like swelling in the legs or chest pain are well known, but there are some symptoms that we often do not pay attention to. We ignore these symptoms considering them to be common problems like fatigue or muscle cramps, but it is very important to identify these symptoms quickly. Let's know about blood clots…

What is a blood clot and why does it happen?

A blood clot is a lump of blood that turns liquid blood into a gel-like state. It is very important in case of injury, as it stops blood from flowing. But if this clot forms inside the veins of the body, it can be very dangerous. In normal conditions, our blood flows in liquid form throughout the body. When we get hurt or get a cut, our body forms a blood clot so that the bleeding stops. When this clot starts forming inside the veins of the body, it can stop the flow of blood, which is also called thrombosis. Such clots can cause serious problems like heart attack or stroke. 

These 7 symptoms may be a sign of a blood clot

• Sudden or unexplained cough: If you suddenly start having a dry cough, it could be a sign of a blood clot in the lungs or pulmonary embolism. This cough is often not cured by syrup or medicine. In some cases, small traces of blood may also come along with the cough.
• One leg or hand getting cold: If you have a blood clot in one of your limbs, the blood flow to that area may be reduced. In such a situation, one arm or leg may feel colder than the other arm or leg. Along with this, there may also be mild tingling or numbness.
• Sudden blurred vision in one eye: If a clot forms in an artery supplying blood to the eye, you may suddenly experience blurred vision or loss of vision in one eye. This may only last for a few minutes, but it could be a sign of a small stroke.
• Sharp pain or discomfort in the shoulder while breathing: A blood clot in the lungs can cause a sharp pain when taking a deep breath. This pain can sometimes spread to the shoulder or upper back, making people mistake it for muscle pain.
• Red, itchy skin on one leg, without a rash: A deep vein blood clot can cause the skin overlying it to feel swollen, red, itchy and warm, without a visible rash or pimple. This symptom often occurs in just one leg.
• Sudden jaw pain or pressure: In some cases, heart problems can be signaled by pain or pressure in the jaw. Chest pain is a common symptom, but especially in women, the signs may be more mild, such as stiffness in the jaw or neck.
• Swelling behind the knee or in the groin: Blood clots can also hide behind the knee or in the pelvic region. If swelling is seen in these areas, especially on one side and is accompanied by mild pain, it could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis.