Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, are medications that help prevent clot formation. Sometimes they also clear up the already formed clot. Your healthcare provider will prescribe it if you are at increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism.
Take blood thinners in an adequate dose, and your healthcare provider may change it from patient to patient, depending on the condition and severity.
Anticoagulants come in different forms, such as intravenous preparations or tablets you take by mouth. A con of blood thinner therapy is that sometimes it can cause excessive bleeding that can become life-threatening. Therefore when you take them, be vigilant and take extra care of yourself. If you do not take care of yourself, it might result in bleeding that can become life-threatening.
If you have any bleeding disorder, you must visit the healthcare provider for follow-up visits. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a Hematologist in Islamabad.
Here in this article, we will tell you tips you must keep in mind when you take blood thinners so you remain protected and it does not result in any mishap.
Take The Prescribed Dose
With blood thinner therapy, a little extra dose can create problems. Only take it in the prescribed amount. If you miss the dose, do not double up. Therefore, wait for the next dose if you miss any.
The healthcare provider will prescribe you a blood thinner depending on your health condition. It may be different from other people. Therefore do not believe in someone else’s opinion that you might not be taking the appropriate dose.
Be Careful When Exercise
You have to be extra careful when you go to the gym or do any physical activity. Even a little cut can become life-threatening by causing severe bleeding. Therefore be very careful when you lift weights or do other exercises in the gym when you are on blood thinner therapy.
Wear Gloves When Holding Sharp Objects
When using scissors, knives, or other sharp objects, please do not forget to wear gloves. It can help prevent injuries. However, be careful when using sharp objects. If any cut or abrasion occurs, it can lead to severe bleeding.
Use Electric Razor
When shaving, switch to an electric razor instead of a blade. The electric razor is not that sharp and can help minimize little cuts. However, if you get it while shaving, apply pressure on it to stop bleeding. And if it does not stop bleeding, visit the emergency department as soon as possible.
Wear Shoes
It is always a better choice to wear shoes to prevent foot injuries. When you wear shoes, you can lower day-to-day foot injuries. Usually, when you get a cut, it heals quickly. But when you take blood thinners, it may result in excessive bleeding.
Take Care While Flossing
When you floss or brush, your gums might bleed. Therefore, use waxed floss and a soft brush to maintain dental hygiene. Make sure to keep brushing with a light hand. Otherwise, it may result in bleeding.
Wear A Medical Bracelet
Ask your healthcare provider to get you a medical bracelet that you can wear, especially when you go out. This bracelet will help you if you get hurt and can not talk. It will help your healthcare providers know that you take blood thinners and might bleed more excessively and severely than others.
Visit The Doctor If You Get Hurt
If you fall or get a hard blow, visit the healthcare provider soon, even if there is no bleeding. Sometimes internal bleeding might occur that can be life-threatening. If you notice any bruises on your body, they might occur due to bleeding. Therefore if you notice any, you must visit the healthcare provider.
Give Complete History
When you visit the healthcare provider about any health condition, you should give them a complete medical and health history. Sometimes the drug they prescribe might interact with other medicines you take or your health condition. Therefore informing your healthcare provider is a must so that they have a complete insight.
The Bottom Line
When you take blood thinners, you have to be extra cautious. Your healthcare providers will perform your frequent tests to know about clotting time. Make sure to get them done on time. For any bleeding disorder, you must visit the healthcare provider frequently. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a Hematologist in Lahore.
