Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a thrombus, a blood clot, is formed in one or multiple deep veins in any part of the body. The clots are usually formed in the legs and can cause pain and swelling. In some cases, the condition might not cause any symptoms. Here are the early warning symptoms of deep vein thrombosis you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Swelling in the Leg
One of the common deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms is swelling that usually affects the leg, ankle, or foot. The swelling can be found on one side of any of these parts. This symptom can be easily confused with something less severe such as a bite of an insect. But when it occurs with other signs and symptoms on one side of the leg, foot, or ankle, it can be a warning sign of deep vein thrombosis.

2. Cramping and Swollen Veins
In addition to the swelling, deep vein thrombosis can also cause swollen, visible veins. These can cause pain and can feel hard when touched. Besides the swelling, deep vein thrombosis patients can also feel painful cramps in the legs. Calves are where this pain starts and it eventually spreads to the entire leg.

3. Pain in the Foot or Ankle
Another common early warning symptom of deep vein thrombosis to look out for is excruciating and sudden pain in the foot or the ankle. The pain can feel similar to cramping but is a different symptom in which the pain cannot be explained. 

4. Warm Sensation on the Skin
In some cases of deep vein thrombosis, patients can experience warming up of the skin, especially around the leg area. The warmth is usually noticed at the spot where the clot is present in the body. The warmth can be noticed by the difference recorded in the temperature of the affected body part and its surrounding areas. This area can also experience discoloration and can turn pale, blue, or red.

5. Shoulder and Neck Pain
When the clot has occurred in the leg, it can cause the aforementioned warning signs. Similarly, if the clotting is taking place in the upper limbs, there will be certain warning signs which should not be ignored. Pain in the should and neck is one of them. This is one of the common warning signs experienced by people with deep vein thrombosis in the upper limbs. This can also cause difficulty in movement and interfere with sleep.

6. Pain and Swelling in the Arms
In addition to pain in the shoulder and neck, deep vein thrombosis patients can also experience pain in their arms. The pain moves – starting from the upper arm, it moves to the forearm eventually. Just like in the legs, deep vein thrombosis also causes swelling in the arms when it affects the upper limbs. The swelling is sudden and cannot be explained.