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Health See other Health Articles Title: Tips for Taking Blood Thinners WebMD... Your doctor prescribed a blood thinner to keep clots from forming in your heart or blood vessels. It can help you avoid a heart attack or stroke. But a minor injury can turn serious, because these drugs make it hard for you to stop bleeding. To prevent injuries, avoid contact sports and other activities where you're likely to get hurt. Walk, swim, or do other, safer exercises instead. Take your medicine at the same time each day. Some blood thinners don't work right if you're not consistent. Use a pill organizer or the calendar on your smartphone to remind yourself to take your pills every day. Don't skip doses. If that happens, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't realize until the next day that you missed a dose, ask your doctor for instructions. Before you bring home any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it's safe to take with your blood thinner. Other medicines, including vitamins and supplements, can change the way some blood thinners work or add to the side effects. For example, if you take a pain reliever or cold medicine that has aspirin in it, that could raise your bleeding risk even more. Blood thinners can turn a tiny cut into a major bleed. Be extra careful when shaving. Use an electric razor, if possible, so you won't nick yourself. Don't trim your nails too close to the skin. Wear gloves when you work with knives, garden shears, or other sharp tools. If you do cut yourself, apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If it doesn't stop, get medical help Too much vitamin K can make a common blood thinner called Coumadin less effective. Foods like Brussels sprouts, lettuce, and spinach have a lot of vitamin K. Just because you're taking Coumadin doesn't mean they're off limits, though. Talk to your doctor about how much is right for you. While you're on certain blood thinners, you may need to see your doctor for regular blood tests. They measure how fast your blood clots. The results help your doctor decide whether to change your dose or switch you to another drug. Tell every doctor you visit that you take blood thinners, especially before you have a medical procedure or when you get a new prescription. That way they'll know you're at extra risk for bleeding. Also, wear a medical ID bracelet and carry a card in your wallet to alert emergency medical workers about your bleeding risk. Write the name of the blood thinner you take on the card. Your gums are delicate. Scrub them too hard and they could bleed. Buy a soft toothbrush and brush softly. To floss, use a waxed dental floss and slide it gently between your teeth. Let your dentist know you take blood thinners. He'll take extra care during checkups. You may also get medicines to reduce bleeding during dental procedures. Sometimes you can have side effects from blood thinners. Look out for signs like: Bleeding gums Heavier than normal periods Dizziness Bruises without a known cause Red or dark-brown urine or stools If you see any of these symptoms, call your doctor. Stock up on bandages, dressings, and medicines that control bleeding, just in case you get a cut at home. Get a supply of dressings and powders that can stop a bleed quickly and keep it under control until you're able to get medical help. You can buy these products without a prescription at your local drugstore. Because they don't affect blood clotting, they're safe to take while you're on blood thinners. Quiz: What You Need to Know About Blood Thinners Quiz: Myths and Facts About Your Heart Health Warfarin and Other Blood Thinners for Heart Disease Taking Blood Thinners for Deep Vein Thromobosis What Is Atherosclerosis? Plant-Based Diet for Heart Health Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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