Blood Clot Background

A blood clot is a small piece of hardened blood that forms within the body of a given individual. A blood clot is normally characterized as either a thrombus or an embolus. A thrombus is stationary in one part of the body, while an embolus is a thrombus which broke off and travels through the blood vessels of the body. Blood clots in general are very dangerous and anyone evidencing blood clot symptoms should immediately contact a medical professional.

Blood Clot Symptoms

Blood clot symptoms will vary depending upon the exact location of the blood clot within the body. A blood cot in a particular limb, for example, will likely cause such symptoms of blood clots as swelling, increased redness, and a gradual rise in pain within that limb. Blood clot symptoms of a blood clot in the brain, however, might be more severe, and might include a stroke. Similarly, symptoms of blood clots in the heart might include a heart attack.

Blood Clot in Leg

A blood clot in the leg arises when a blood clot either forms as a thrombus within the leg, or when it forms elsewhere and travels as an embolus through the blood vessels of the body into the leg, where it likely cuts off blood flow from the leg. Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg include swelling, redness, and growing pain. Blood clots in legs are still very serious, and as soon as such symptoms are noticed, one should contact a doctor.

Blood Clots During Period

Some women may experience blood clots during period times, when they are experiencing menstrual blood flow. These menstrual blood clots are most often normal and nothing to be worried about, as they are generally caused by the anticoagulant released during menstrual flow being unable to prevent the coagulation of the blood in times of very heavy flow. But some blood clots during period times are actually indicative of bigger problems, and women should watch for the signs of such serious menstrual blood clots.

Blood Clots in Urine

Blood clots in urine are very serious, as blood in the urine is always serious and should never be overlooked. Blood clotting in urine is a form of hematuria, and is often visible instead of microscopic, thus sometimes indicating a greater severity of issue. Blood clots in urine can indicate significant kidney problems, as well as any number of possible bladder problems or urinary tract infections.

What Causes Blood Clots

A condition that causes blood clots such as a mural thrombus (which is a blood clot that only decreases the blood flow through a vein, instead of stopping all blood flow through the vein) generally takes the form of a condition that causes blood clots through stagnation or a condition that causes blood clots through damage to a blood vessel. A mural thrombus might be caused by either kind of condition; ultimately, the key cause of a mural thrombus or other form of thrombus is some kind of abnormality in the blood flow of the body.

Blood Clot In Arm

A blood clot in an arm is very similar to a blood clot in a leg, in that such a blood clot might arise anywhere in the body and travel through the blood vessels to the arm, where it might then block off blood flow to the arm. Symptoms of a blood clot in the arm can include redness, swelling, and growing pain in the arm in question. If one notices symptoms of a blood clot in the arm, one should immediately contact a medical professional.